shanghanlun

Pueraria Decoction (line 31)

By Fornia ⋅ March 11, 2008 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

1. Pueraria Decoction (葛根汤) = Cinnamon Twig Decoction (桂枝汤) + Ephedra (麻黄) + Pueraria (葛根)

Based on the herbs included, Pueraria Decoction (葛根汤) is a variation on Cinnamon Twig Decoction (桂枝汤).

太阳病，项背强几几，无汗 恶风，葛根汤主之。 (line 31)

However, if we look at the original text, It is clear that the person suffering from this Greater Yang illness has an exterior which is not deficient. It says thatin a Greater Yang disease, when there is stiff nape and back, no perspiration but aversion to wind.

No perspiration tells us that he’s unlikely to be a Cinnamon Twig-type person (桂枝人). More likely, the guy suffering from Greater Yang disease is an Ephedra-type (麻黄人).

So let’s try making sense of the formula again.

Pueraria Decoction (葛根汤) = Ephedra Decoction (麻黄汤) – Apricot Kernel (杏仁) + Peony (芍药) + Pueraria (葛根) + Ginger and Jujube (姜枣)

To make sense of this, see the explanation that follows:

1. Ephedra Decoction (麻黄汤): essentially, this involves using Ephedra (麻黄) and Cinnamon Twig (桂枝) to break through the sweat pore and causing the expulsion of sweat, plus licorice (甘草) to provide balance against 麻桂’s strength.
2. No Apricot Kernel (杏仁): usually used to accompany Ephedra (麻黄) when there is panting (喘), it’s not necessary here.
3. Peony (芍药): pain relief.
4. Pueraria (葛根): pain relief.
5. Giner (姜) and Jujube (枣): to quote my teacher Zhao Mingfang, this basic combination harmonizes the Nutritive and Defensive on the outside (外和营卫), while harmonizing the Spleen and Stomach on the inside (内和脾胃).

The Most Valuable Players here are Peony (芍药) and Pueraria (葛根). This is because they solve the additional problem of stiff nape and back (项背强几几). And so, we can actually morph this formula into one that solves the exterior problem by using Ephedra and Cinnamon Twig for the Ephedra-type person, and Cinnamon Twig alone for the Cinnamon Twig-type person.

Popularity: 8% [?]