bubble_chart Efficacy

Tonifying qi and lifting collapse.

bubble_chart Indications

To treat the sinking of the great qi in the chest, where shortness of breath is insufficient for respiration. Or when striving to breathe, it seems like panting. Or when the breath is about to cease, the danger is imminent. The accompanying symptoms may include alternating chills and fever, or dry throat and thirst, or fullness and severe palpitation, or unconsciousness and forgetfulness, with a myriad of symptoms that are truly difficult to enumerate. The pulse manifestation is deep, slow, and weak, especially in the guan position. In severe cases, there may be incomplete six pulse conditions, or an irregular pulse.

bubble_chart Formula Principles

Raising the Sinking Decoction, with Astragalus Root as the main ingredient, because Astragalus Root is not only good at tonifying qi but also excels at raising qi. However, its nature is slightly warm, so it is balanced with the cool and moistening Anemarrhena. Bupleurum is a Shaoyang herb, capable of guiding the sinking of the great qi to rise from the left. Cimicifuga Rhizome is a Yangming herb, capable of guiding the sinking of the great qi to rise from the right. Platycodon Root is the boat and oar among herbs, capable of carrying the power of other herbs upward to the chest, hence it is used as a guide. For those whose qi aspect is extremely deficient, Ginseng is added as appropriate to cultivate the root of qi. Or, Cornus may be added to prevent the dissipation of qi. If there is a sensation of sagging in the lower abdomen or pain, indicating that the person's great qi has sunk deeply, it is necessary to use the powerful Cimicifuga Rhizome to lift it, hence an additional Cimicifuga Rhizome of five fen or doubled to two qian is added. The intention of the formula is as such, and the flexible adjustments according to the situation especially depend on the practitioner's skill in unblocking ears.

In cases where the qi aspect is extremely deficient and sinking, consider adding Ginseng a few qian, or additionally a few qian of Cornus (with the core completely removed), to astringe the dissipation of the qi aspect, ensuring that what rises does not sink again, which is even better. If the sinking of the great qi is severe, reaching the lower abdomen with a sensation of sagging, or even causing pain, it is advisable to increase the dosage of Cimicifuga Rhizome to one and a half qian, or double it to two qian.

bubble_chart Modern Application

Modern medicine believes that this formula enhances lung function and nourishes the central nervous system. It is primarily used for: atelectasis, neurasthenia, presenting with shortness of breath and a deep, slow, and weak pulse.