HERBAL FORMULAS

Question 1

What Formula represents the “Four Gentlemen Decoction?”

Answer 1

Si Jun Zi Tang

Question 2

What is the category for Si Jun Zi Tang?

Answer 2

Qi Tonic

Question 3

What are you most likely to diagnose when you prescribe someone Si Jun Zi Tang? Please include Tongue & Pulse.

Answer 3

Dx: Spleen Qi Deficiency
T: Pale
P: weak pulse

Question 4

What are the actions of the Four Gentlemen Decoction?

Answer 4

Tonifies Qi, strengthens Spleen

Question 5

What is the Chief ingredient in Si Jun Zi Tang?

Answer 5

Ren Shen (Rx Ginseng) - a powerful qi tonic
Notes: Sweet & Warm

Question 6

If a patient is laconic, fatigued, has a weak pulse, feels distention in abdomen after eating, and has a shiny & pale appearance, what are you most likely to diagnose them with?

Answer 6

Spleen Qi Deficiency

Question 7

What are the four ingredients in Si Jun Zi Tang?

Answer 7

Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, Zhi Gan Cao

Question 8

What is a bitter and warm herb in Si Jun Zi Tang? It is known as the deputy ingredient.

Answer 8

Bai Zhu (Rx Atractylodis Macrocephalae) - qi tonic that also dries damp

Question 9

What is the assistant in Si Jun Zi Tang?

Answer 9

Fu Ling (Poria) - drain damp & strengthens Spleen

Question 10

What is the envoy of Si Jun Zi Tang?

Answer 10

Zhi Gan Cao - warms & regulates the MJ

Question 11

Which ingredient in the Four Gentlemen Decoction is sweet & bland? It helps with draining damp & strengthening spleen.

Answer 11

Fu Ling (Poria)

Question 12

Which herb can be substituted for Ren Shen in Si Jun Zi Tang?

Answer 12

Dang Shen (costs less money)

Question 13

This herb, in Si Jun Zi Tang, is a qi tonic that also dries damp.

Answer 13

Bai Zhu - deputy ingredient

Question 14

This herbal formula tonifies qi and regenerates fluids to bring back the pulse.

Answer 14

Sheng Mai San (Generate the Pulse Powder)

Question 15

In addition to the four ingredients in Si Jun Zi Tang, what two herbs can be added to this formula to benefit someone with Spleen & Stomach Qi Deficiency with Phlegm-Damp?

Answer 15

Original - Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, Zhi Gan Cao
Added:
Ban Xia (Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - directs Qi down, drying)
Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel - directs Qi downward, drying effect)

Question 16

In a case where a patient is experiencing Spleen & Stomach Deficiency with Qi Stagnation, what is another ingredient you can add to Si Jun Zi Tang?

Answer 16

Chen Pi - this creates Yi Gong San (Extraordinary Merit Powder)

Question 17

Case: A patient arrives with fatigue & symptoms of insomnia. You find out they have had chronic breathing issues for 3 years. Looking at their tongue you see it is a pale red color with a thin, dry coat. Their pulse is weak and rapid. What is a formula you should offer?

Answer 17

Sheng Mai San (Generate the Pulse Powder)

Question 18

What are all of the ingredients in Sheng Mai San?

Answer 18

Ren Shen (Chief), Mai Men Dong (Deputy), & Wu Wei Zi (Assistant)

Question 19

Which herb (Sheng Mai San) offers powerful qi tonifying properties, tonifies yuan qi, generates fluids & calms Shen?

Answer 19

Ren Shen

Question 20

In Sheng Mai San, what herb can be substituted for Ren Shen?

Answer 20

None!

Question 21

What is the Deputy ingredient in Sheng Mai San? What is a primary function from this herb?

Answer 21

Mai Men Dong - yin tonic, generates fluids, moistens lungs, clears xu heat to calm Shen

Question 22

In Sheng Mai San, this ingredient is astringent, restrains LU Qi, stops sweating, and tonifies Kidneys

Answer 22

Wu Wei Zi

Question 23

If there is an active external pathogen in the patient’s system, how much of Sheng Mai San should be prescribed?

Answer 23

Trick question! Do not prescribe Sheng Mai San if the patient has an active external pathogen residing in the body.

Question 24

Is Sheng Mai San a Qi Tonic or Blood Tonic formula?

Answer 24

Qi Tonic!

Question 25

What is the formula known as Four Substance Decoction?

Answer 25

Si Wu Tang

Question 26

What category is Si Wu Tang in (Qi/Blood Tonic)? What are its main actions?

Answer 26

Blood Tonic Actions: Tonifies Blood, Regulates LV

Question 27

What type of diagnosis would your patient have if your prescribed Si Wu Tang?

Answer 27

Blood Xu & Stasis (Specifically, this is great in gynecological conditions)

Question 28

What are the primary symptoms for someone who has blood deficiency and/or stasis? Include tongue & pulse.

Answer 28

Sx: dizziness, blurred vision, lusterless complexion, generalized muscle tension, T = pale, P = thin & wiry OR thin & choppy

Question 29

What are the ingredients in Si Wu Tang (list in order)?

Answer 29

(chief) Shu Di Huang (deputy) Dang Gui (Assistant) Bai Shao (Assistant #2) Chuan Xiong

Question 30

In the Four Substance Decoction, which ingredient is the deputy? What is its main function/category?

Answer 30

Dang Gui - blood tonic, enters LV & HT to tonify + invigorates blood

Question 31

In Si Wu Tang, Shu Di Huang performs which function?

Answer 31

Chief Herb: Tonifies LV & KD to nourish yin & blood

Question 32

This ingredient, in Si Wu Tang, has a sour flavor that preserves yin.

Answer 32

Bai Shao - Assistant

Question 33

Which herb in Four Substance Decoction is a blood regulator & promotes movement of qi & blood?

Answer 33

Chuan Xiong

Question 34

This herbal formula is listed in "Secret Formulas to Manage Trauma & Reconnect Fractures Received from an Immortal."

Answer 34

Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction)

Question 35

What is the 8-Treasure Decoction & its category?

Answer 35

Ba Zhen Tang - Qi & Blood Tonic

Question 36

Ba Zhen Tang works wonderfully for ( ) & Blood deficiency diagnoses.

Answer 36

Qi & Blood Deficiency

Question 37

With Ba Zhen Tang, what tongue & pulse might you see in a clinical setting?

Answer 37

T = pale with a white coat P = thin, frail or large, weak, & forceless

Question 38

What 2 formulas make up Ba Zhen Tang?

Answer 38

Si Jun Zi Tang + Si Wu Tang

Question 39

What are the ingredients in 8-Treasure Decoction?

Answer 39

Ren Shen, Shu Di Huang, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, Bai Shao, Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Zhi Gan Cao, Sheng Jiang, Da Zao

Question 40

What are the Chiefs in Ba Zhen Tang?

Answer 40

Ren Shen & Shu Di Huang

Question 41

Sheng Jiang and Da Zao are sometimes added to (function).

Answer 41

regulate absorption in the MJ

Question 42

Gui Pi Tang is a (category) formula.

Answer 42

Qi & Blood Tonic Formula

Question 43

What is the translation for Gui Pi Tang?

Answer 43

Restore the Spleen Decoction

Question 44

What are two primary diagnoses/indications for Gui Pi Tang?

Answer 44

1. Spleen Qi Xu with Heart Blood Xu 2. Spleen Fails to control Blood

Question 45

In the clinic, your patient has a thin, frail pulse, and their tongue is pale with a thin, white coat. They express they are forgetful, have insomnia, anxiety, and a recently decreased appetite. What kind of formula would be best for this patient?

Answer 45

Gui Pi Tang

Question 46

If a female patient had early periods with copious pale blood OR prolonged, almost continuous with little flow - what is a good Formula to try?

Answer 46

Gui Pi Tang

Question 47

List all ingredients in Gui Pi Tang/Restore the Spleen Decoction.

Answer 47

CHIEF aka Qi Tonics: Ren Shen, Chao Huang Qi, Bai Zhu, & Zhi Gan Cao DEPUTY aka Calms Shen: Long Yan Rou, Dang Gui, Chao Suan Zao Ren, Fu Ling & Zhi Yuan Zhi ASSISTANT/Moves Qi: Mu Xiang

Question 48

What are two other herbs that can be taken along with Gui Pi Tang?

Answer 48

Da Zao & Sheng Jiang