2. Cinnamon Twig Decoction-Based Formulas

2. Cinnamon Twig Decoction-Based Formulas

Cinnamon Twig Decoction is hailed as the "king of all formulas," originating from the "Shanghan Lun." It consists of cinnamon twig, white peony, licorice, ginger, and jujube, primarily treating headaches, fever with chills, sweating, and a floating, slow pulse—symptoms of wind-cold exterior deficiency syndrome, equivalent to what modern medicine calls a common cold. The main significance of this formula lies not in treating the common cold itself, but rather in how its modifications and adaptations can treat a wide range of internal diseases related to autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Adding thick bark and apricot kernel to this formula creates Cinnamon Twig Plus Thick Bark Apricot Decoction, which treats wind-cold wheezing; adding kudzu root creates Cinnamon Twig Plus Kudzu Decoction, which treats wind-cold exterior deficiency combined with stiffness in the neck and back; removing white peony creates Cinnamon Twig Without White Peony Decoction, which treats exterior deficiency combined with a rapid pulse and chest fullness; adding aconite creates Cinnamon Twig Plus Aconite Decoction, which treats mild limb spasms and difficulty in bending and stretching. Beyond these direct modifications of Cinnamon Twig Decoction, there are three groups of formulas that are widely used clinically and have proven efficacy, and are generally still considered part of the Cinnamon Twig Decoction family.

(1) Linggui Zhushugan Decoction-Based Formulas

Composed of poria, cinnamon twig, white atractylodes, and licorice, this formula treats lower abdominal discomfort, upward rushing qi, immediate dizziness, and shaking body—symptoms of spleen deficiency and phlegm-damp accumulation. From a modern medical perspective, this condition may include heart disease, heart failure, and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Removing cinnamon twig and adding dried ginger creates Shen Zhu Decoction, which treats cold-damp injury and lower back pain; removing white atractylodes and adding jujubes creates Poria Cinnamon Twig Licorice Jujube Decoction, which treats palpitations below the navel and urges to run like a wild boar; removing white atractylodes and adding Stephania and astragalus creates Stephania Poria Decoction, which treats skin edema, swelling of the limbs, fluid trapped in the skin, and trembling legs; removing white atractylodes and adding ginger creates Poria Licorice Decoction, which treats colds and excessive sweating without thirst.

(2) Wuling San-Based Formulas

Composed of poria, zhu ling, white atractylodes, ze xie, and cinnamon twig, this formula treats exogenous wind-cold and internal dampness accumulation. The main clinical manifestations are headache, fever with chills, difficulty urinating, and generalized edema. From a modern medical perspective, this formula is applicable to all edema patients, including cardiac edema, hepatic edema, renal edema, and so on. Removing cinnamon twig creates Si Ling San, which treats edema and also addresses internal dietary issues, short and reddish urine, and loose stools; removing cinnamon twig and white atractylodes and adding donkey-hide gelatin and talc creates Zhu Ling Decoction, which treats painful urination, dribbling out of the bladder, and bloating in the lower abdomen; adding artemisia creates Artemisia Wuling San, which treats jaundice due to damp-heat and difficulty urinating; removing cinnamon twig and ze xie creates Zhu Ling Decoction, which treats conditions above the diaphragm, such as vomiting and thirst; adding cinnabar creates Cinnabar Wuling San, which treats difficulty urinating; adding atractylodes creates Atractylodes Wuling San, which treats cold-damp; adding qiang huo creates Yuanrong Wuling San, which treats accumulated heat in the middle burner; adding gypsum, talc, and cold water stone creates Gui Ling Ganlu Drink, which clears heat from the six腑; adding ginseng creates Chunze Soup; adding licorice to form the Four Gentlemen, also called Chunze Soup, both of which can treat thirst in healthy people or thirst in sick people.

II. The Bupleurum System

Most formulas in this system come from the "Shanghan Lun" and "Jingui Yaolue," with representative formulas such as Xiao Chaihu Tang, Si Nisi Tang, and Xiaoyao San all belonging to the category of harmonizing herbal remedies.