Chinese: 加减葳蕤汤
Pinyin: Jiā Jiǎn Wēi Ruí Tāng
Other names: Modified Solomon's Seal Decoction
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that clear Exterior disorders with Interior deficiency
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: Common coldPharyngitisAcute tonsilitis
- Nourishes the Yin
- Clears Heat
- Induces Sweating
- Releases the Exterior
Source date: Qing dynasty
Source book: Revised Popular Guide to the Discussion of Cold Damage
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Angular Solomon's Seal Roots (Yu Zhu) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in Qing dynasty, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Exterior disorders with Interior deficiency. Its main actions are: 1) nourishes the Yin and 2) clears Heat.
In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.
From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as common cold, acute tonsilitis or pharyngitis for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the eight ingredients in Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang helps treat.
The eight ingredients in Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang
Yu Zhu is a king ingredient in Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Angular Solomon's Seal Roots (Yu Zhu)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: LungStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
Yu Zhu nourishes the Yin of the Lungs and Stomach. It also clears Heat, and generates Body Fluids. It is particularly useful due to its ability to tonify without causing Stagnation. Therefore, it can restore Body Fluids without getting in the way of eliminating pathogens, which more cloying Yin tonics might do.
Cong Bai is a deputy ingredient in Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. Scallions (Cong Bai)
In general Cong Bai's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Wind-Cold through sweating. Vitalizes the Yang Qi and disperses Cold. Removes toxicity of swellings."
In the context of Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang, it is used because it gently releases the Exterior and also dispels Wind-Heat..
Jie Geng is a deputy ingredient in Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Platycodon Roots (Jie Geng)
Jie Geng gently releases the Exterior and also dispels Wind-Heat. It can also works as an assistant to spread the Lung Qi to stop the coughing and expel the Phlegm.
Dan Dou Chi is a deputy ingredient in Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. Fermented Soybeans (Dan Dou Chi)
Part used: Fermented preparation obtain from the ripe bean
Nature: Cool
In general Dan Dou Chi's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and scatters Wind, Cold and Heat, especially when there is Yin Deficiency. Relieves stuffy sensation in the chest and irritability."
In the context of Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang, it is used because it releases the Exterior mildly and also dispels Wind-Heat..
Bo He is a deputy ingredient in Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
5. Wild Mint (Bo He)
In general Bo He's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Wind-Heat. Clears Wind-Heat from the head, eyes and throat. Allows the release of toxins from the skin. Moves Stagnant Liver Qi"
In the context of Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang, it is used because it gently releases the Exterior and also dispels Wind-Heat..
Bai Wei is an assistant ingredient in Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. Swallow-Wort Roots (Bai Wei)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Cold
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiverStomach
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Bai Wei cools the Blood and clears Heat without injuring the Yin. Thus it treats the thirst and irritability.
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
7. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Gan Cao helps the key herb, Angular solomon's seal root in moistening the Dryness and harmonizing the actions of the other ingredients.
Da Zao is an envoy ingredient in Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
8. Jujube Dates (Da Zao)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Da Zao helps the key herb, Angular solomon's seal root in moistening the Dryness and harmonizing the actions of the other ingredients.
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