Source: Danxi Xinfa (Danxi’s Experience on Medicine).
 
Ingredients:
No. 1 Cangzhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis);
No. 2 Xiangfu (Rhizoma Cyperi);
No. 3 Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong);
No. 4 Shenqu (Massa Fermentata Medicinalis);
No. 5 Zhizi (Fructus Gardeniae);
All in equal dosage.
 
Administration:
Grind the above into fine powder and make it into pills with water; take orally 6 -9 g each time and twice daily with warm boiled water. Or decoct the above drugs in water with dosages in proportion to the original recipe.

Actions:
Promoting the flow of qi to eliminate stagnation.
  
Clinical Application:
This recipe is indicated for syndromes of stagnancy of qi, blood, phlegm, fire, dampness or food, marked by chest distress and fullness, epigastric and abdominal distension and pain, acid regurgitation, vomiting, and indigestion. It is applicable to the above symptoms as seen in gastric neurosis, gastroduodenal ulcer, chronic gastritis, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, hepatitis, intercostal neuralgia, dysmenorrhea, and irregular menstruation. In case of excessive stagnancy of qi, enlarge the dosage of No. 2, and add Muxiang (Radix Aucklandiae) and Zhike (Fructus Aurantii) to promote the circulation of qi.

In case of dominant blood stasis, enlarge the dosage of No. 3 and add Taoren (Semen Persicae ) and Honghua (Flas Carthami) to promote blood circulation. In case of retention of dampness, enlarge the dosage of No. 1 and add Fuling (Poria) and Zexie (RhizomaAlismatis) for diuretic purpose. In case of indigestion, enlarge the dosage of No. 4 and add Shanzha (Fructus Crataegi) and Maiya (Fructus Hordei Germinatus) to promote digestion. In case of fire stagnancy, enlarge the dosage of No. 5 and add Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae) and Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis) to purge away fire. In case of phlegm retention, add Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) and Gualou (Fructus Trichosanthis) to remove phlegm.

Elucidation:
The syndrome is the result of qi stagnation of the liver and spleen. Prolonged stagnation of liver-qi or failure of the liver in its dispersing function leads to dysfunction of the spleen in transportation and transformation. It further causes phlegm generation from dampness, indigestion or obstructed circulation of blood or fire transformation. Of the six stagnancy syndromes, qi stagnation originates first. Therefore treatment should focus on promoting the flow of qi to relieve stagnation. No. 2 is the monarch drug, aimed at promoting the flow of qi.

With the effect of removing blood stasis to promote blood flow, No. 3 can also help No. 2 carry out its action. No. 5 is meant to clear away heat and purge away fire, No. 1 to activate the spleen by removing dampness, and No. 4 to promote digestion. These four ingredients function as minister and adjuvant drugs. Retention of phlegm usually generates from dampness in the spleen and is also related to qi, fire and food. When a smooth flow of qi occurs, all the other stagnancy syndromes will be relieved. This is what is called in TCM "treatment aiming at the root cause of a disease".

Cautions:
Although this recipe is used in the treatment of the above six stagnancy syndromes, its compatibility is supposed chiefly to present a fundamental principle in treating such syndromes. Clinically it should be dealt with in accordance with the order of severity of various stagnancy syndromes.