HERB FORMULAS

XU MING TANG - 續命湯 - MAJOR EXTEND LIFE DECOCTION

English: Major Extend Life Decoction
Also Known As: Ma Huang and Ginseng Combination
Prolong Life Decoction
Da Xu Ming Tang

HERBS AND ACTIONS

Pharmaceutical Latin
Pin Yin
Dosage
Actions
Hb. Ephedrae Ma Huang 3-9g Induces sweating, releases the Exterior, promotes urination and warms and disperses Cold pathogens.
With Xing Ren, for Wind-Cold cough and wheezing.
With Ren Shen, for Wind-Cold with underlying Qi Deficiency.
Sm. Armeniacae Xing Ren 2.5-12g Stops cough, calms wheezing, moistens the Intestines and unblocks bowels.
Ram. Cinnamomi Gui Zhi 3-9g Releases the exterior, assists the Yang, adjusts the Ying and Wei, releases the muscle layer, warms the channels and collaterals to relieve pain and warms and facilitates the flow of Qi through the channels and collaterals and Blood through the vessels.
 (With Ma Huang, for Wind-Cold Excess conditions with fever and chills but no sweat and Wind-Cold-Damp Bi.
With Chuan Xiong, expels Wind-Dampness, warms the channels and collaterals, facilitates joint movement and relieves Bi pain for joint and limb pain due to External Wind-Cold invasion.
With Sheng Jiang, strongly induces sweating for treatment of External Wind-Cold with chills, fever, body aches and anhidrosis.
Rx. Ginseng Ren Shen 3-9g Tonifies Qi.
Rx. Angelicae Sinensis Dang Gui 3-9g Tonifies Invigorates and harmonizes the Blood, disperses Cold and stops pain due to Blood Stasis.
Rz. Chuanxiong Chuan Xiong 1.5-6g Invigorates the Blood, promotes the movement of Qi, expels Wind and alleviates pain.
Rz. Zingiberis Recens Sheng Jiang 3-9g Releases the Exterior, induces perspiration, disperses Cold, warms the Middle, warms the Lungs and reduces the toxicity of other herbs.
With Ma Huang, strongly creates sweating to treat all externally contracted Wind-Cold disorders, especially those in which Wind-Cold has constrained Lung Qi with cough and wheezing and the failure of Lung Qi to descend causing nausea and vomiting.
Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao 3-9g Tonifies the Spleen and augments Qi and moderates and harmonizes the harsh properties of other herbs.
With Chuan Xiong, harmonizes, nourishes and invigorates the Blood and disperses Blood Stasis.
Gypsum Fibrosum Shi Gao 3-18g Clears Heat in the Qi Stage, drains Fire, relieves irritability and quenches thirst
With Ma Huang, Xing Ren and Gan Cao, for Lung Heat with cough and asthma.
With Sheng JIang, decreases muscular swelling.
With Ma Huang and Gui Zhi, for Wind-Cold with Interior Heat.
With Ren Shen, for excessive Heat with Qi Deficiency.

FORMULA ACTIONS

  • Supports the Normal Qi
  • Clears Heat
  • Relaxes muscle tension
  • Nourishes Blood
  • Disperses Wind
  • Dispels Wind-Damp

SYNDROMES

  • External Wind Invading the channels with Qi and Blood Deficiency
  • Internal Stirring of Liver Wind with Heat

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

  • Generalized pains
  • Convulsions
  • Edema
  • Flaccid hemiplegia
  • The patient is unable to recognize friends or identify the source of pain
  • Stiffness with inability to rotate the trunk
  • Confusion
  • Muscular numbness and pain
  • Cough
  • Flushed face
  • Fever
  • Aphasia
  • Dry stools
  • Low-grade fever
  • T: Normal
  • C: Thin and yellow or Yellow and greasy
  • P: Slippery and rapid

TREATS

CONTRAINDICATIONS AND HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Avoid Hb. Allii Fistulosi Cong Bai and Sargassum Hai Zao while taking this formula.
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

NOTES

MODIFICATIONS

For speech difficulties: For numbness:
+ Rz. Acori Tatarinowii Shi Chang Pu + Rx. Astragali Huang Qi
Rx. Polygalae Yuan Zhi + Rx. Achyranthis Bidentatae Niu Xi
For muscle spasms and cramps:
   
+ Rx. Saposhnikoviae Fang Feng    
+ Rx. Stephaniae Tetrandrae Han Fang Ji