Linggui Zhushu Gan Tang

Linggui Zhushu Gan Tang

Poria 5 qian, Cinnamon Twig 3 qian, White Atractylodes 5 qian, Stir-fried Licorice 3 qian

Licorice and White Atractylodes fill the middle burner to block water, Poria helps drain it, and Cinnamon Twig transforms it, preventing water from stagnating and eliminating phlegm-dampness. This formula is highly effective in treating water qi overwhelming the heart (1). Cinnamon Twig nourishes heart fire, allowing it to descend to the kidneys; Poria drains kidney water, preventing it from rising to the heart. In fact, Poria is a spleen medicine—since earth can control water, water cannot overpower fire; Cinnamon Twig is a liver medicine—water is transformed by the liver, which is the child of the kidneys, so it effectively drains water. To nourish heart fire, when deficient, one should nourish its mother—the liver is the mother of heart fire, and cinnamon also has a red color that enters the heart. Cinnamon is also used for sweating, leveraging the warmth of wood energy to disperse outward. For reversing reverse flow, Cinnamon is also used because the Chong pulse connects to the liver and extends to the kidneys; warming the liver qi with Cinnamon draws it down, transforming kidney water and releasing it. Whenever cold water in the lower jiao attacks and causes the Chong Yang to rise, adding Cinnamon and Pinellia often helps achieve good results. It should be noted that Cinnamon has a red color and warm nature, fully embodying the essence of water-fire interaction, aiding fire in transforming wood—this is its strength. However, if there is no cold water, using it may cause fever and blood agitation; excessive yang can lead to death. Zhang Zhongjing clearly warned against this, and we must take heed (2). Those who have lost blood should be especially cautious when using it. Some might ask, why does Zhang Zhongjing’s stir-fried licorice soup, which is meant to tonify blood, still allow the use of Cinnamon? The answer is that Zhang Zhongjing was very careful with Cinnamon. The formula aims to extract juice from the middle burner and transform red into blood, so Cinnamon must be used to assist heart fire in turning red. However, there is concern that Cinnamon might harm blood, so only a small amount is used, while more Mai Dong and Rehmannia are added to balance the force of Cinnamon. Zhang Zhongjing’s caution shows that those who have lost blood should not use Cinnamon lightly.

[Note] (1) Water qi overwhelming the heart: refers to pathological changes where water qi affects the heart. Due to spleen-kidney yang deficiency and impaired qi transformation, fluids accumulate in the body and cannot be normally excreted, leading to phlegm-dampness, edema, and other water-related illnesses. When water qi rises and accumulates in the chest and diaphragm, it obstructs heart yang, causing symptoms such as palpitations and shortness of breath. (2) Lǐn: to follow strictly. (3) Using softness to overcome hardness: meaning to use gentleness to counteract rigidity.

[Note] This formula originates from "Shanghan Lun." Because it has the functions of tonifying the spleen, warming yang, and draining dampness, it can treat phlegm-dampness, and is even more effective for water qi overwhelming the heart. Symptoms include fullness and discomfort below the heart, upward rushing qi in the chest, dizziness upon standing, and shaking of the body—this formula can be used in such cases.

Xiu Yuan highly praised its excellence, but modern people often fail to appreciate it and misuse it, which is truly regrettable!

[Note] This formula originates from "Xiaopin Fang." It clears and disperses the upper burner while warming and tonifying the lower burner. It is mainly used for true cold-heat patterns and floating yang deficiency.