Examples of Chinese Formulas Frequently Used in Kampo

Most of the two dozen formulas are listed in the Shanghan Lun and/or the Jingui Yaolue, a few are from the Hejiju Fang, and only 3 are from other ancient texts. Pinyin transliteration of the Chinese name, rather than transliteration of the Japanese name is provided because these are the names usually used in the West.

Common Name and Pinyin Ingredients Typical Applications

Bupleurum and Cinnamon Combination Chaihu Guizhi Tang Bupleurum, scute, patella, ginseng, cinnamon, peony, ginger, liquorice, jujube Combined internal and surface disorders; mainly respiratory system diseases; also for epilepsy.

Bupleurum and Dragon Bone Combination

Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Tang Bupleurum, scute, paella, ginger, hoelen, cinnamon, ginseng, jujube, dragon bone, oyster shell, rhubarb Disorders involving mental distress or tremors.

Bupleurum and Peony Formula

Jiawei Xiaoyao San tang-kuei, peony, atractylodes, hoelen, Bupleurum, mouton, gardenia, liquorice, ginger, menthe Liver diseases and menopausal syndrome; also general damp-heat disorders.

Capillaries and Hoelen Formula

Yinchen Wuling San capillaries, hoelen, atractylodes, alisma, polyporus, cinnamon Hepatitis, especially with jaundice; edema.

Cinnamon and Hoelen Formula

Guizhi Fuling San cinnamon, hoelen, peony, Persia, mouton Gynaecological diseases and numerous symptoms associated with blood stasis.

Coax Combination

Yiyiren Tang ma-hung, tang-kuei, atractylodes, coax, cinnamon, peony, liquorice Arthritis and muscular rheumatism, especially early stage.

Coptis and Scute Combination

Huanglian Jiedu Tang coptis, scute, philodendron, gardenia Febrile diseases, inflammation, flushed face, bleeding due to heat.

Four Major Herbs Combination

Si Junzi Tang ginseng, liquorice, hoelen, atractylodes Weakness of spleen/stomach system, indigestion, diarrhoea.

Ginseng and Ginger Combination

Renshen Tang ginseng, ginger, atractylodes, liquorice Weakness of the spleen/stomach system, chronic gastritis, chilliness.

Ginseng and Tang-kuei Ten Comb.

Shiquan Daub Tang ginseng, astragalus, atractylodes, peony, hoelen, Rehmannia, cnidium, cinnamon, liquorice, tang-kuei General debility, weak immune system, prolapsed of internal organs, poor digestion.

Ginseng Nutritive Combination

Renshen Yangrong Tang ginseng, atractylodes, astragalus, liquorice, tang-kuei, peony, Rehmannia, hoelen, cinnamon, citrus, polygala, Schisandra Anaemia, fatigue, general weakness, poor nutritional status, insomnia, dry skin.

Hoelen Five Formula

Wuling San hoelen, atractylodes, alisma, polyporus, cinnamon Edema with thirst.

Ma-huang and Apricot Seed Combination

Ma Xing Gan Shi Tang ma-huang, apricot seed, gypsum, liquorice, mores Cough accompanied by sore throat and thirst.

Major Bupleurum Combination

Da Chaihu Tang Bupleurum, scute, Pinellia, ginger, chi-shih, peony, rhubarb, jujube Liver and/or gallbladder inflammation, constipation and fullness.

Minor Blue Dragon Combination

Xiao Qinglong Tang pinellia, ma-huang, cinnamon, peony, schizandra, asarum, liquorice Acute ailment with watery sneezing, such as common cold.

Minor Bupleurum Combination

Xiao Chaihu Tang Bupleurum, scute, Pinellia, ginseng, ginger, liquorice, jujube Alternating fever and chill, digestive disturbance, hepatitis, bronchitis.

Peony and Liquorice Combination

Shaoyao Gancao Tang peony, liquorice Muscular tension, especially of the abdomen.

Persica and Rhubarb Combination

Tao He Chengqi Tang persica, rhubarb, cinnamon, mirabilitum, liquorice Abdominal masses, constipation.

Pinellia Combination

Banxia Xiexin Tang pinellia, ginseng, coptis, scute, ginger, liquorice, jujube Diarrhoea with frequent bowel movements.

Pueraria Combination

Gegen Tang pueraria, ma-huang, cinnamon, peony, ginger, liquorice, jujube Acute ailments marked by aching in the arms and shoulders, lack of perspiration, sinus congestion.

Rehmannia Eight Formula

Bawei Dihuang Tang rehmannia, hoelen, alisma, dioscorea, cinnamon, aconite, moutan, cornus Urinary system disorders, impotence, hypertension, back ache.

Siler and Platycodon Formula

Fangfeng Tongshen San tang-kuei, peony, gardenia, cnidium, forsythia, schizonepeta, siler, talc, mirabilitum, ma-huang, ginger, rhubarb, atractylodes, mentha, platycodon, scute, liquorice, gypsum Obesity, skin rashes and eruptions, constipation, edema, hypertension.

Tang-kuei and Peony Formula

Danggui Shaoyao San tang-kuei, peony, cnidium, atractylodes, alisma, hoelen Pregnancy disorders, anaemia, infertility, chilly limbs.

Vitality Combination

Zhenwu Tang aconite, ginger, atractylodes, hoelen, peony Abdominal aching, usually with diarrhoea; cold limbs, poor digestion, lack of vitality.

Some Examples of Abdominal Signs and Corresponding Herb Formulas. Abdominal diagnosis (fuku-shin) has a primary function of determining whether there is deficiency or weakness (kyo), or excess, strength, firmness, or fullness (jitsu), to select the type of therapy needed (e.g., tonification or purging).

Specific locations of swelling, hardness, fullness, or palpation will help determine which of several potential formulas to consider; the disease and symptoms further direct the selection of prescriptions. The interpretations of abdominal signs vary somewhat among the Japanese specialists.

Abdominal Characteristic Interpretation Formulas Thick abdominal wall, flexible to touch Firmness confirmation; patient is usually well-set or obese. Major Bupleurum Combination or Siler and Platycodon Formula, to reduce excess.

Thin abdominal wall, lack of flexibility Weakness confirmation; patient lacks qi and blood. Vitality Combination or Ginseng and Ginger Combination, to warm the interior, promote metabolism, and restore qi and blood.

Abdominal distension; resistant to pressure due to distension Firmness confirmation; patient may have constipation and gas. Major Bupleurum Combination, to reduce the excess.

Chest distress; feeling of pressure in area of lower ribs Firmness confirmation if firmness and pain with pressure applied below the sternum; weakness confirmation if soft and not painful with pressure. Use Bupleurum-containing formulas; use Major Bupleurum Combination or Bupleurum and Dragon Bone Combination for firm confirmation, Minor Bupleurum for weak confirmation.

Feeling of distress near the heart (sternum and just below sternum) With deep palpation below the sternum, there is resistance, as if there is a swelling. Use Pinellia formulas (e.g., Pinellia Combination) or formulas for dampness, such as Hoelen Five Formula or Four Major Herbs Combination.

Tension and stress below the navel or feeling of emptiness and weakness at this site Weakness confirmation associated with kidney deficiency. Use Rehmannia Eight Formula.

Hard swelling in the lower abdomen Indicates blood stasis syndrome. Use rhubarb formulas (e.g., Persia and Rhubarb Combination).

Hardness of central line Feels like a hard substance when palpating the central line of the abdomen. Above the navel, hardness indicates spleen weakness, use Vitality Combination; below the navel indicates kidney deficiency, use Rehmannia Eight Formula.

Umbilical pain Patient reports pain with gentle pressure just above the navel. Indicates muscle tension of an excess confirmation; use Pereira Combination.

Umbilical weakness Pressing in and around navel, the tissues are loose and there is easy movement, indicating weakness confirmation. Use formulas with ginseng, such as Vitality Combination, Ginseng and Ginger Combination, or Four Major Herbs Combination.

Abdominal muscle tension Rod-like tension on either side of the central line or twitching of abdominal muscles indicates weakness confirmation. Peony and Liquorice Combination.

Ganoderma Forum