TCM Encyclopedia

In traditional Chinese medicine, poor appetite, post-meal bloating, loose stools, and general fatigue often point to spleen and stomach weakness. Ginseng Spleen-Invigorating Pill is a common spleen-strengthening formula. This article introduces its compositional rationale, reference for suitable populations, and usage contraindications to help gain a clearer understanding of this classic remedy.

Many people think of Jianpi Wan as a common digestive aid, but in Chinese medicine it is not simply a digestion-promoting formula. This article introduces its composition, what signs it may traditionally suit, and situations requiring caution.

Zhi Gan Cao Tang is often used to address palpitations and irregular pulse caused by dual deficiency of qi and yin, but not all palpitations fit. This article sorts out key points regarding composition, effects, target population, and contraindications, and compares similar formulas to help readers build a clear understanding.

Gan Mai Da Zao Tang consists of only three ingredients—licorice, wheat, and jujube—yet it can gently harmonize the middle, nourish the heart, and calm the spirit. This article reviews its traditional origins, its mechanisms, who it may suit, when caution is needed, and how it differs from other spirit-calming formulas.

Yangyin Qingfei Decoction is suitable for dry throat and dry cough caused by yin deficiency with lung dryness, but it is not appropriate for wind-cold sore throat or phlegm-damp cough. This article organizes its composition, applicable directions, and contraindications for safer understanding.

Dry cough, dry throat, and nasal dryness after autumn are often related to dryness evil. Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang is a classic formula in traditional Chinese medicine for addressing warm-dryness attacking the lung. This article outlines its suitable population, composition, contraindications, and its differences from formulas like Sang Ju Yin and Bai He Gu Jin Tang.

Afraid of cold, fever without sweating, headache and body aches with wheezing and cough — do these symptoms align with the Mahuang Decoction pattern? This article sorts through the composition, suitable populations, contraindications, and formula differentiation, offering objective TCM science reference for readers.

Maxing Shigan Tang, originating from the Treatise on Cold Damage, is composed of Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Gypsum, and Licorice. It is a classic formula for clearing the lungs and relieving asthma. This article outlines its suitable population, contraindications, and differences from common formulas to help build a pattern differentiation understanding.

Suzi Jiangqi Tang is commonly used to address cough and asthma with phlegm qi rising counterflow and lower body deficiency. This article analyzes its composition, suitable populations, contraindications, and provides comparisons with Erchen Tang, Xiao Qing Long Tang, etc., offering a reference understanding.

During seasonal changes or after a cold, many people experience recurrent cough and asthma that does not subside, drawing attention to Ding Chuan Tang (Dingchuan Decoction). This article explains its composition, effects, suitable individuals, and contraindications to help you understand which conditions it may generally suit.

Xing Su San (Apricot Kernel & Perilla Powder), originating from the Systematic Differentiation of Warm Diseases, is used for cough, nasal congestion, and dry throat caused by externally-contracted cool-dryness. This article explores its composition, suitable population, and contraindications, while differentiating it from formulas like Sang Ju Yin to provide a reference for TCM enthusiasts.

Baidu San is not a common cold formula; it targets the specific condition of qi deficiency with external contraction of wind, cold, and dampness. This article reviews its composition, suitable presentations, contraindications, and comparisons with formulas like Yinqiao San and Guizhi Tang to help you understand its appropriate use.

Da Chai Hu Tang is an important formula from Treatise on Cold Damage that combines harmonizing and purging methods, suitable for situations where qi stagnation and internal excess heat binding coexist. This article outlines its composition, possible suitable presentations, contraindications, and distinctions from similar formulas.

Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction is a representative formula for invigorating blood and resolving stasis. This article outlines its composition, actions, suitable and unsuitable populations, and differences from similar formulas, to help readers understand the approach to regulating qi stagnation and blood stasis more clearly.

Tao Hong Si Wu Tang is not an ordinary blood-tonifying formula; it enhances blood circulation on top of nourishing the blood. This article outlines its composition, indications, contraindications, and differences from formulas like Si Wu Tang.