Yanghe Decoction: A Powerful Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula
【Origin of Yanghe Decoction】
Yanghe Decoction is derived from the book "Waike Zhengzhi Quanshengji" and is one of the representative formulas that embody Wang Hongxu's principle of using yin and yang in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
In the Qing Dynasty, the famous physician Wang Hongxu compiled the book "Waike Zhengzhi Quanshengji" and established the principle of using yin and yang in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. He also made his family's secret formulas, such as Yanghe Decoction, Xingxiaowan, Xiaojindan, and Xihuangwan, available to the public. These formulas are still widely used in clinical practice today. Now, let's take a closer look at Yanghe Decoction:
Yanghe Decoction is derived from the book "Waike Zhengzhi Quanshengji" and is one of the representative formulas that embody Wang Hongxu's principle of using yin and yang in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
【Introduction to Yanghe Decoction】
Yanghe Decoction is a traditional Chinese medicine formula. It is a warming formula that has the functions of warming yang, nourishing blood, dispersing cold, and promoting circulation. It is mainly used for the treatment of yin-type ulcerations. The symptoms include diffuse swelling without a clear boundary, unchanged skin color, no heat sensation, no thirst, pale tongue with white coating, and thin or slow pulse. It is commonly used in the treatment of bone tuberculosis, chronic osteomyelitis, periostitis, chronic lymphadenitis, rheumatoid arthritis, aseptic deep muscle abscess, sciatic neuritis, thromboangiitis obliterans, chronic bronchitis, chronic bronchial asthma, peritoneal tuberculosis, breast lobular hyperplasia, and dysmenorrhea caused by yang deficiency and cold stagnation.
Ingredients: Prepared Rehmannia Root 30g, Ephedra 1.5g, Deer Antler Glue 9g, White Mustard Seed (fried and ground) 6g, Cinnamon Twig 3g, Licorice Root 3g, and Ginger (fried) 1.5g.
Administration: Decoct in water and take orally.
Functions: Disperse stagnation, dissolve congealed blood, and promote circulation of qi and blood.
Indications: Gangrene, ulceration, bone detachment, rheumatoid arthritis, breast cancer, tuberculosis, carbuncle, bone abscess, and other yin-type ulcerations (see notes).
Yanghe Decoction has a revolutionary significance in the treatment of yin-type ulcerations in both theoretical and clinical aspects. Before this, traditional Chinese medicine treatment for abscesses and ulcerations mainly focused on treating the affected meridians according to their locations. However, Wang Hongxu, based on his family's traditional experience, deviated from the conventional approach. He named the diseases not only based on their locations but also based on the yin-yang, cold-heat, and deficiency-excess nature of the abscesses and ulcerations, and treated them accordingly. He believed that "if the medicine does not match the condition, many lives will be lost." He classified red and swollen conditions as "abscesses," which are caused by excessive qi and blood heat resulting in toxin stagnation. White and sunken conditions were classified as "ulcerations," which are caused by deficiency of qi and blood cold resulting in toxin congealment. In terms of treatment, it is incorrect to treat abscesses and ulcerations together; they should be treated separately based on the principles of nourishing yin and clearing heat for ulcerations. Yanghe Decoction is a representative formula for the treatment of yin-type ulcerations.
This formula mainly nourishes blood, disperses cold, promotes circulation of meridians, and activates qi and blood. Ephedra, with its warm and pungent properties, can open the skin pores; Ginger and Cinnamon, with their pungent and hot properties, can relieve cold stagnation; White Mustard Seed can eliminate phlegm (editor's note: not the phlegm that is coughed up, but a type of bodily fluid) from the skin and muscles; Prepared Rehmannia Root and Deer Antler Glue can nourish and replenish blood; Licorice Root can detoxify and harmonize the other ingredients.
In Wang Hongxu's view, yin-type ulcerations are caused by deficiency of qi and blood cold, resulting in toxin phlegm congealment. If the toxins spread to the five viscera, it is called yin-type ulceration. If the treatment fails to effectively warm and unblock the meridians to dissolve cold stagnation or fails to nourish qi and blood, the toxins and swelling cannot be completely eliminated. Some people have asked, "Ephedra, Ginger, and Cinnamon are all 'warming' herbs. It's fine to take them in winter, but what about in summer?" Wang Hongxu's answer is that if the formula does not contain Ephedra, it cannot open the pores; if it does not contain Ginger and Cinnamon, it cannot relieve congealed blood; and even in hot weather, these three herbs cannot be omitted.
Moreover, the most amazing aspect of this formula is that it utilizes the interaction between various herbs, such as "Ephedra is not stimulating when combined with Prepared Rehmannia Root, and Prepared Rehmannia Root does not cause congealed blood when combined with Ephedra," which has synergistic effects.
Modern pharmacological research has confirmed that Yanghe Decoction has the effects of strengthening the heart, diuresis, increasing coronary blood flow, dilating blood vessels, inhibiting platelet aggregation, increasing white blood cell count, and exhibiting hormone-like effects. It can also protect the liver, promote gallbladder function, inhibit bacteria, and regulate thyroid and glandular function. Due to its multiple effects, its clinical applications go far beyond the treatment range described in "Waike Zhengzhi Quanshengji." According to clinical data, it is currently used in the treatment of more than 40 different diseases in both traditional Chinese and Western medicine, including internal medicine, surgery, orthopedics, gynecology, ophthalmology, oncology, and endocrinology. In addition to treating diseases such as osteomyelitis of the mandible, purulent diseases of deep tissues, rheumatoid arthritis, thromboangiitis obliterans, and thromboangiitis obliterans, it has also achieved certain clinical results in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation, sciatica, chronic bronchitis, sinus node dysfunction, arrhythmia, frostbite, mastitis, coughing and wheezing, and dysmenorrhea.
As the application of Yanghe Decoction continues to expand, it is of special importance to correctly understand its functions and indications in order to improve its clinical efficacy. Any condition caused by blood deficiency and cold congealment that leads to the obstruction of meridians and poor circulation of qi and blood falls within the treatment range of Yanghe Decoction. Patients with such conditions usually exhibit symptoms of deficiency, coldness, and pain. It is best to use this formula under the guidance of a professional traditional Chinese medicine practitioner.
