荆防败毒散

• Effects: Induces sweating to release the exterior, dispels wind and resolves dampness.
• Core pathomechanism: External contraction of wind-cold-damp. Wind-cold binds the exterior and muscle layer, while dampness obstructs qi movement.

1. When it is used

This formula is derived from Ren Shen Bai Du San (Ginseng and Notopterygium Formula) through modification, refined so as to focus on dispersing pathogens, making it a general formula for external contraction of wind-cold-damp.

2. Pattern and presentation

• Main symptoms: Aversion to cold with fever, stiffness and pain of the head and nape, generalized body aches, absence of sweating.
• Systemic and accompanying symptoms: Nasal congestion with a heavy sound to the voice, cough with white phlegm, fullness and oppression in the chest and diaphragm.

3. Tongue and pulse

• Tongue: Thin white or white greasy coating.
• Pulse: Floating, or floating and tight.

4. Granule conversion and dose

• Calculation of the original formula's total raw herb weight:
  • Jing Jie (schizonepeta) 4.5 g + Fang Feng (siler root) 4.5 g + Qiang Huo (notopterygium rhizome) 4.5 g + Du Huo (pubescent angelica root) 4.5 g + Chai Hu (bupleurum root) 4.5 g + Qian Hu (hogfennel root) 4.5 g + Zhi Ke (bitter orange fruit) 4.5 g + Fu Ling (poria) 4.5 g + Jie Geng (platycodon root) 4.5 g + Chuan Xiong (szechuan lovage rhizome) 4.5 g + Gan Cao (licorice root) 1.5 g = 49.5 g.