2. Four Wu Soup-Type Formulas

2. Four Wu Soup-Type Formulas

Four Wu Soup is a renowned formula composed of four herbs: Danggui, Bai Shao, Chuanxiong, and Shudi, primarily indicated for deficiency of Ying blood and disharmony between the Chong and Ren meridians, clinically presenting with menstrual irregularities, umbilical and abdominal pain, uterine bleeding, blood clots, dull complexion, thin tongue coating, and deep, fine pulse. Western medicine believes this formula has a wide range of clinical applications, including menstrual irregularities, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, old ectopic pregnancies, as well as liver diseases, coronary heart disease, skin diseases, and injuries. Adding A Jiao and licorice to Four Wu Soup results in Jiao Ai Tang, primarily used for postpartum hemorrhage; adding Taoren and Honghua, replacing Bai Shao with Chi Shao, results in Tao Hong Four Wu Soup (as recorded in "Medical Treasure Mirror"), primarily used for blood deficiency and blood stasis, widely applicable to trauma, obstetric complications, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, stillbirth, retained placenta, and excessive lochia; adding Zhimu and Huangbo results in Zhibo Four Wu Soup (as recorded in "Evidence-Based Diagnosis and Treatment"), primarily used for blood deficiency combined with yin deficiency and fire movement; this formula is made into pills with honey, named Kan Li Wan, with effects similar to the decoction, but milder; adding Artemisia and Xiangfu, made into pills with wax paste, named Ai Fu Nuangong Wan (as recorded in "Direct Instruction Manual"), primarily used for long-term blood deficiency and cold uterus preventing pregnancy; adding rhubarb, mirabilite, and licorice results in Yu Zhu San, primarily used for amenorrhea with abdominal pain refusing palpation and six strong pulses; removing Shudi and Bai Shao results in Fo Shou San (as recorded in "Practical Prescriptions"), primarily used for women with blood deficiency catching a cold, fetal movement with bleeding, and stillbirth; adding Four Jun Soup results in Ba Zhen Tang (as recorded in "Danxi Heart Method"), primarily used for dual qi and blood deficiency, and further adding Astragalus and cinnamon results in Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (as recorded in "Official Prescription"), with even stronger dual qi and blood replenishment; adding Taoren, Honghua, Ni Xi, Chaihu, Zhike, Jiegeng, and licorice results in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (as recorded in "Medical Forest Correction"), primarily used for upper-jiao blood stasis, presenting with headache, chest tightness, chest restlessness, irritability, palpitations, insomnia, and dry heaving. This formula is currently widely used; Western diagnoses of migraine, dizziness, headache, tinnitus, and coronary heart disease caused by arteriosclerosis can all be effectively treated with this formula. It can also treat neurasthenia, pelvic inflammatory disease, and unexplained fever. Adding Taoren, Honghua, Yuanhu, Wulingzhi, licorice, Wu Yao, Zhike, Danpi, and Xiangfu to Four Wu Soup results in Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang (as recorded in "Medical Forest Correction"), primarily used for blood stasis below the diaphragm, mass accumulation on both sides, and persistent side pain; adding Puhuang, Wulingzhi, Yuanhu, Myrrh, ginger, cinnamon, and fennel results in Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang (as recorded in "Medical Forest Correction"), primarily used for blood stasis in the lower abdomen and menstrual abdominal pain; removing Shengdi and Danggui, adding Taoren, Honghua, old scallions, ginger, jujubes, and musk results in Tong Qiao Huo Xue Tang (as recorded in "Medical Forest Correction"), primarily used for blood stasis in the head and face, deafness, and "wine drum" nose; removing Chi Shao and Shengdi, adding Taoren, Honghua, Myrrh, Wulingzhi, licorice, earthworm, Qin Jiao, Xiangfu, and Ni Xi results in Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang (as recorded in "Medical Forest Correction"), primarily used for qi and blood blockage, joint pain, and whole-body pain; removing Shengdi, adding Taoren, Honghua, earthworm, and Astragalus results in Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang (as recorded in "Medical Forest Correction"), primarily used for slanted mouth, half-body paralysis, drooling, and speech impediment; removing Shengdi and Danggui, adding Honghua, Jianxiang, and Danshen results in Guan Xin II (Beijing Regional Collaborative Formula), primarily used for treating coronary heart disease and angina pectoris; removing Chi Shao and Shengdi, adding Taoren, Black Ginger, and licorice results in Sheng Hua Tang (as recorded in "Fu Qingzhu Women's Department"), primarily used for postpartum cold uterus and blood stasis blocking, presenting with lower abdominal cold pain, non-flowing lochia, and also able to treat evening fever, palm heat, and dry lips.

V. Liu Wei Di Huang System

First there was Shenqi Wan, originating from "Jin Gui Yao Lue," composed of eight herbs: Shengdi, Shanyu, Shanyao, Danpi, Fuling, Zexie, Fuzi, and Guizhi—essentially Liu Wei Di Huang Tang plus Fu and Gui. During the Five Dynasties period, the renowned pediatrician Qian Yi removed the Gui and Fu from the above formula, naming it Liu Wei Di Huang Tang. Through modifications and adaptations of this formula, a series of prescriptions emerged, primarily focused on tonifying the kidneys.