Functions
This formula mainly functions to relieve depression by soothing the liver, nourish the blood by strengthening the spleen, and regulating menstruation by clearing away heat. It is primarily used to treat stagnant liver-qi, blood deficiency, and internal heat due to fire hyperactivity, as manifested by distention and pain in the hypochondriac regions, restlessness, tidal fever, headaches, conjunctivitis, lack of appetite, dryness and bitterness in the mouth, abdominal pain, sinking sensation in the lower abdomen, irregular menstruation, and distending pain of the breast.
Dosage Info
Water bolus: Adults take 6-9g, 2 times a day. Honeyed pills: 1 pill a day, taken with warm boiled water. Children dosage reduced by half. Orally taken solution: 10ml each time, 2 times a day. 5:1 concentrated extract: 9 grams/day.
Ingredients
Precautions
Side Effects: A patient, after taking this formula, fell into a coma that lasted 18 days. (1) Another report documented this formula causing one case of excessive urination. (2)
Pharmacology
Lowering blood lipid and blood pressure levels: Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San can lower blood pressure and dilate blood vessels. Of the formula’s component herbs, Chai Hu, Gan Cao, and Fu Ling all can lower the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, as well as raise the level of high-density lipoprotein. (3)
Raising the content of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the blood: The formula can restore the plasma cAMP content in patients of affective psychotic depression to the normal level. (4)
Clinical Applications
Premenstrual Syndrome
A modification of this formula was used to treat 45 cases of premenstrual syndrome due to stagnation of liver-qi causing internal heat. The modified formula consisted of Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Chao Chai Hu, Fu Ling, Chao Bai Zhu, Xu Duan, Gou Teng, Dan Pi, Shan Zhi, Xiang Fu, Qing Pi, Chen Pi, and Jing Jie. A control group of 30 cases was treated with Provera. The results: 32 cases resolved, 6 significantly improved, 4 improved, with a total effective rate of 93.3% (P