2. Four Wu Soup-like Formulas

2. Four Wu Soup-like Formulas

Four Wu Soup is a famous formula, composed of Danggui, Bai Shao, Bai Zhu, Shudi, Zhigancao, Chaihu, Weijiang, and Bohe, primarily indicated for blood deficiency and disharmony between the Chong and Ren meridians, with clinical manifestations such as menstrual irregularities, umbilical pain, uterine bleeding, blood accumulation, pale complexion, thin tongue coating, and deep, fine pulse. Western medicine believes that this formula has a wide range of clinical applications, used for menstrual irregularities, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, old ectopic pregnancies, and more. It can also be used to treat liver diseases, coronary heart disease, skin diseases, and injuries. If Four Wu Soup is combined with A Jiao, Ai Ye, and Gancao, the resulting formula is called Jiao Ai Tang, primarily indicated for postpartum hemorrhage. If Four Wu Soup is combined with Taoren and Honghua, with Bai Shao replaced by Red Shaoyao, the resulting formula is called Tao Hong Four Wu Soup (from "Medical Treasure Mirror"), primarily indicated for blood deficiency and blood stasis, widely applicable to trauma, obstetrics and gynecology, including missed periods, painful menstruation, stillbirths, retained placenta, and excessive lochia. If Four Wu Soup is combined with Zhimu and Huangbo, the resulting formula is called Zhimu Huangbo Four Wu Soup (from "Evidence-Based Diagnosis and Treatment"), primarily indicated for blood deficiency combined with yin deficiency and fire movement, with this formula made into pills using honey, named Kan Li Pills, with effects similar to liquid formulations, but with a slower action. If Four Wu Soup is combined with Ai Ye and Xiangfu, made into wax-paste pills, named Ai Fu Slow Palace Pills (from "Direct Prescription"), primarily indicated for long-term blood deficiency and cold uterus, making it difficult to conceive. If Four Wu Soup is combined with Da Huang, Mangxiao, and Gancao, the resulting formula is called Yu Zhuo San, primarily indicated for abdominal pain that resists palpation, with six strong pulses. If Four Wu Soup removes Shudi and Bai Shao, the resulting formula is called Fo Shou San (from "Practical Prescription"), primarily indicated for women with blood deficiency catching a cold, fetal movement with bleeding, or stillbirth in the womb. If Four Wu Soup is combined with Four Jun Soup, the resulting formula is called Ba Zhen Tang (from "Danxi Heart Method"), primarily indicated for dual deficiency of qi and blood, with additional Huangqi and Rou Gui, named + All Great Supplement Soup (from "Official Formulary"), with even greater qi and blood supplementation. If Four Wu Soup is combined with Taoren, Honghua, Niu Xi, Chaihu, Zhi Shi, Jiegeng, and Gancao, the resulting formula is called Blood Mansion Removing Stasis Soup (from "Medical Forest Correction"), primarily indicated for upper-jiao blood stasis, with symptoms such as headache, chest tightness, chest restlessness, irritability, palpitations, insomnia, and hiccups. This formula is currently widely used; Western diagnoses such as migraine, dizziness caused by arteriosclerosis, headaches, tinnitus, and coronary heart disease can all be effectively treated with this formula; it can also treat neurasthenia, pelvic inflammatory disease, and unexplained fevers. If Four Wu Soup is combined with Taoren, Honghua, Yuanhu, Wulingzhi, Gancao, Wu Yao, Zhi Shi, Danpi, Xiangfu, the resulting formula is called Diha Removing Stasis Soup (from "Medical Forest Correction"), primarily indicated for blood stasis below the diaphragm, with masses on both sides of the ribs, and rib pain that does not move. If Four Wu Soup is combined with Pu Huang, Wulingzhi, Yuanhu, Myrrh, Ginger, Rou Gui, and Small Cumin, the resulting formula is called Lower Abdomen Removing Stasis Soup (from "Medical Forest Correction"), primarily indicated for lower-abdomen blood stasis, with menstrual pain. If Four Wu Soup removes Shudi and Danggui, and adds Taoren, Honghua, Old Onion, Ginger, Dates, and Musk, the resulting formula is called Tong Qiao Huo Xue Tang (from "Medical Forest Correction"), primarily indicated for blood stasis in the head and face, deafness, and nose broken by alcohol. If Four Wu Soup removes Red Shaoyao and Shudi, and adds Taoren, Honghua, Myrrh, Wulingzhi, Gancao, Earthworm, Qin Jiao, Xiangfu, and Niu Xi, the resulting formula is called Body Pain Removing Stasis Soup (from "Medical Forest Correction"), primarily indicated for qi and blood blockage, joint pain, and whole-body pain. If Four Wu Soup removes Shudi and adds Taoren, Honghua, Earthworm, and Huangqi, the resulting formula is called Replenishing Yang and Returning Five Soup (from "Medical Forest Correction"), primarily indicated for facial and eye slanting, hemiplegia, drooling from the corner of the mouth, and slurred speech. If Four Wu Soup removes Shudi and Danggui, and adds Honghua, Jianxiang, and Dan Shen, the resulting formula is called Coronary II Number (Beijing Regional Collaboration Formula), primarily indicated for treating coronary heart disease and angina pectoris. If Four Wu Soup removes Red Shaoyao and Shudi, and adds Taoren, Black Ginger, and Gancao, the resulting formula is called Biochemical Soup (from "Fu Qingzhu Women's Health"), primarily indicated for postpartum cold, blood stasis blocking, with symptoms such as lower-abdomen cold pain, non-flowing lochia, and common use of this formula among Chinese residents after childbirth. If Four Wu Soup removes Shudi and adds Danggui, and adds Taoren, Maidong, Guizhi, A Jiao, Dan Pi, Ginger, Banxia, Gancao, and Wu Zhu Yu, the resulting formula is called Warm Meridian Soup (from "Golden Treasury of Secrets"), primarily indicated for Chong and Ren meridians deficiency, blood stasis blocking, with clinical symptoms such as menstrual irregularities, delayed periods, or prolonged absence, lower-abdomen cold pain, long-term infertility, and also suitable for evening fevers, palm heat, and dry lips.

V. Six Flavor Rehmannia System

First there was Shenqi Wan, a formula from "Golden Treasury of Secrets," composed of Shudi, Shanyu, Shanyao, Danpi, Fuling, Ze Xie, Fuzi, and Guizhi—eight herbs in total, namely Six Flavor Rehmannia Soup plus Fuzi and Guizhi. During the Five Dynasties period, the famous pediatrician Qian Yi removed the Guizhi and Fuzi from the above formula and named it Six Flavor Rehmannia Soup. Through modifications and adaptations of this formula, a series of formulas primarily focused on tonifying the kidneys emerged.