Source: Xu Mingyi Lei’an (Supplement to the Classified Medical Records of Celebrated Physicians).

Ingredients:
No.1  Beishashen (Radix Glehniae) 9 g
No.2  Maimendong (Radix Ophiopogonis) 9 g
No.3  Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 9 g
No.4  Shengdihuang (Radix Rehmanniae) 18- 30 g
No.5  Gouqizi (Fructus Lycii) 9 - 18 g
No.6  Chuanlianzi (Fructus Mediae Toosendan) 5 g
 
Administration: Decoct the above drugs in water for oral application.

Actions: Nourishing yin and dispersing stagnated liver-qi.

Clinical Application:
This recipe is indicated for syndrome of stagnation of liver-qi due to yin deficiency, marked by chest, epigastric and hypochondriac pain, acid regurgitation, dry throat and mouth, reddened tongue with little saliva, thready and taut pulse. It is applicable to chronic hepatitis, chronic gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcer, intercostal neuralgia, neurosis and other diseases, which chiefly manifest pain of the chest, epigastrium, hypochondrium and costae attributable to stagnation of qi due to yin deficiency.

In case of severe hypochondriac pain, add Yanhusuo (Rhizoma Corydalis) and Xiangfu (Rhizoma Cyperi) to enhance the effect of dispersing stagnated liver-qi. In case of severe epigastric pain, add Baishaoyao( Radix Paeoniae Alba) and Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) to relieve pain. In case of hypochondriac and costal distention with abdominal mass, add Biejia (Carapax Trionycis) to moisten and remove mass. If concomitant with disorder of the stomach-qi manifesting nausea and vomiting, add Sharen (Fructus Amomi) and Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) (decocted in ginger decoction) to regulate the stomach and descend the stomach-qi.

Elucidation:
The syndrome is caused by yin deficiency of the liver and kidney, unsmooth flow of the liver-qi, causing qi stagnation, and invasion of the stomach by stagnant live-qi. It should be treated by nourishing yin and dispersing stagnated liver-qi. Ingredient No. 4 in larger dosage is meant to nourish yin and blood so as to invigorate the liver and kidney and used as monarch drug. Ingredients No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 5 act as minister drug to help bring about the effect of the monarch drug. The last ingredient, which serves as adjuvant drug, is aimed at dispersing stagnated liver-qi and purging heat, promoting the flow of qi and relieving pain so that liver-qi can spread out freely.

Cautions:
This recipe is contraindicated for cases concomitant with phlegm-dampness manifesting greasy and whitish fur.