Blood Mansion Dispel Stasis Decoction
Blood Mansion Dispel Stasis Decoction, derived from "Yi Lin Gai Cuo," is one of the famous prescriptions created by Wang Qingren, a physician of the Qing Dynasty, based on the achievements of previous medical generations and years of clinical practice. This article attempts to elucidate the concept of Blood Mansion, the principle of dispelling stasis, the characteristics of compatibility, and the clinical application of this prescription.
1. The Concept of Blood Mansion
What is Blood Mansion? "Pulse is the mansion of blood," as stated in "Su Wen - Essential Questions on Pulsology." Mansion here refers to the gathering and convergence. It means that the blood of the whole body gathers in the meridians, which is a well-known concept for physicians. However, the Blood Mansion mentioned in "Yi Lin Gai Cuo" is a narrower concept. The book says, "The Blood Mansion refers to a thin membrane below the diaphragm, thin as paper, but solid, extending from the anterior depression of the heart to the waist on both sides, following a slope-like pattern. The front is high and the back is low, with the lowest part resembling a pond. Blood is stored in the pond, which is the essence transformed from sperm, known as Blood Mansion." It also says, "Above the diaphragm, the entire cavity is filled with blood, hence the name Blood Mansion." This is the result of Wang Qingren's years of anatomical research on the human body. It can be seen that the Pulse Mansion and the Thoracic Blood Mansion are different. Although the Thoracic Blood Mansion is relatively limited, the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels are located within it, which are closely related to the circulation of Qi and blood and the smoothness of blood vessels. Therefore, Blood Mansion has its material basis, and it can be understood as a specific anatomical and physiological concept. It is the source and center of "Pulse is the mansion of blood," with a higher level of significance in guiding clinical diagnosis and treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine forum, TCM, TCM university, clinical medicine, medical case, medical book
2. On Dispel Stasis
Stasis refers to blood stasis. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the meridians are the pathways for the circulation of Qi and blood. Under normal circumstances, blood flows smoothly and continuously in the meridians. However, when the function of the Blood Mansion is impaired due to factors such as injury, cold congealing, or Qi stagnation, leading to impaired blood circulation or the failure of extravascular blood to dissipate in time, blood stasis occurs in certain parts of the body. Diseases caused by stasis are known as blood stasis patterns. The appropriate treatment method is to promote blood circulation and dispel stasis, restoring the normal movement of blood. If the disease is mild and the pattern is light, and stasis is in the meridians, it belongs to "Pulse Mansion" blood stasis, which should be treated with blood-activating and stasis-dissipating herbs. If the disease is chronic and the pattern is severe, and stasis is in the organs, it belongs to "Thoracic Blood Mansion" blood stasis, which should be treated with blood-breaking and stasis-expelling methods. Therefore, Wang Qingren treated it with Blood Mansion Dispel Stasis Decoction. The herbs in the prescription, such as Peach Kernel, promote blood circulation and dispel stasis; Safflower activates blood circulation and dissipates stasis; Chuanxiong promotes Qi circulation and activates blood; Red Paeony disperses stasis and activates blood, all belong to potent blood-activating herbs. When used together, they work synergistically to expel stasis.
3. Compatibility Characteristics
Composition of the original prescription: 12g of Peach Kernel, 9g of Safflower, 9g of Chinese Angelica, 5g of Chuanxiong, 9g of Rehmannia, 6g of Red Paeony, 6g of Fructus Aurantii Immaturus, 5g of Platycodon grandiflorus, 9g of Achyranthes bidentata, 3g of Bupleurum, and 6g of Licorice. This prescription is a combination of Si Wu Tang and Si Ni San with the addition of Platycodon grandiflorus and Achyranthes bidentata. Its functions include promoting blood circulation and dispelling stasis, regulating Qi, and relieving pain. Peach Kernel promotes blood circulation and dispels stasis, Safflower activates blood circulation and dissipates stasis, Chuanxiong promotes Qi circulation and activates blood, Red Paeony disperses stasis, activates blood, and relieves pain. The combination of these four herbs enhances the effects of promoting blood circulation, dispelling stasis, and relieving pain. Bupleurum soothes the liver and resolves depression, Fructus Aurantii Immaturus promotes Qi circulation in the chest, which promotes blood circulation when Qi flows smoothly. Platycodon grandiflorus opens and ventilates lung Qi, combined with Fructus Aurantii Immaturus, it opens the chest and disperses congestion, allowing the medicine to reach the "Blood Mansion" and expel stasis directly. Achyranthes bidentata promotes the smoothness of blood vessels, directs the blood downward, and facilitates the elimination of stasis. Chinese Angelica nourishes blood and promotes blood circulation, Rehmannia nourishes Yin and moisturizes dryness (also clears heat in stasis), Licorice harmonizes and moderates to prevent the dispersion and damage of stasis-breaking herbs, and the pungent and dispersing nature of Qi-regulating herbs depletes Yin and damages the body.
