2. Shen Qi Tang Nine Class Formulas

2. Shen Qi Tang (Nine) Class Formulas

This formula originates from "Jin Gui Yao Lue" and serves as a representative tonic for tonifying the kidneys and strengthening yang. It consists of rehmannia root, cornelian cherry, Chinese yam, cortex moutan, poria, alisma, cinnamon twig, and aconite, suitable for dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, lower back pain, leg fatigue, feeling cold, spontaneous sweating, and weak chi pulse at the cun position; it also applies to cases where erectile dysfunction, nocturnal emission, premature ejaculation, generalized edema, and difficulty urinating occur on top of the aforementioned symptoms. The principle behind this formula is "to nourish the source of fire to dispel yin shadows," meaning that "nourishing the source of fire" refers to tonifying the kidneys and strengthening yang. Modern medicine suggests that patients with kidney yang deficiency have significantly lower 24-hour urinary excretion of 17-hydroxysteroids compared to normal individuals, which can return to normal after kidney-tonifying treatment, while the corresponding symptoms of kidney yang deficiency are also alleviated. Modern immunology holds that the functions of thymus-dependent T cells and thymus-independent B cells constitute the main factors of specific immunity, and the precursors of these cells are stem cells located in the bone marrow. Based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory that "the kidneys govern bones and generate marrow," there is a hypothesis that kidney-tonifying and yang-strengthening methods can enhance the body's specific immune function. Recent extensive research reports indicate that yang-tonifying herbs indeed accelerate antibody formation, while yin-tonifying herbs prolong antibody survival time, suggesting that both kidney yin and kidney yang tonification can improve the body's specific immune function. Shen Qi Wan is modified by adding achyranthes and plantain seeds to form Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan (from "Ji Sheng Fang"), treating yang deficiency with water excess and edema with reduced urine output. Shen Qi Wan is further modified by adding deer antler and schisandra to form + Bu Wan (from "Ji Sheng Fang"), used for long-term yang deficiency characterized by sallow complexion, cold hands and feet with swelling, weakness in the waist and knees, emaciation, and soreness in the lower back. Shen Qi Wan is adjusted by removing cortex moutan and adding eucommia bark, goji berries, and licorice to form You Gui Yin (from "Jing Yue Quan Shu"), treating conditions of yin excess obstructing yang and true cold with false heat. Shen Qi Wan is further adjusted by removing cortex moutan and adding astragalus, epimedium, psoralea, schisandra, polygonatum, morinda, eucommia bark, deer antler, goji berries, and magnolia bark to form Bu Shen Wan (an empirical formula), used for erectile dysfunction, nocturnal emission, and lower back pain with cold legs.

VI. Sang Ju Yin Qiao Series

This series of formulas was mainly created by the warm-disease school, emphasizing pungent-cool exterior-releasing and heat-clearing-toxicity-eliminating herbs. The invention of this series of formulas filled the gaps in medication usage in "Shang Han Lun," making a contribution to the development of traditional Chinese medicine. Given that the formulas provided by the warm-disease school range from pungent-cool exterior-releasing to yin-nourishing and blood-cooling, and then to wind-suppressing and orifice-opening—a complete system for treating warm diseases—this series of formulas is discussed in three aspects: Sang Ju Yin Qiao, yin-nourishing and blood-cooling, and wind-suppressing and orifice-opening.