Theory

The concept of combination formulas: manipulations on Ephedra Decoction and Cinnamon Twig Decoction

By Fornia ⋅ April 5, 2008 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

We are used to the idea of adding and subtracting from a formula （加减方）. Combining formulas （合方）is another art which involves adding formulae on top of one another. You can either add one 经方 to another e.g. the three that we’ll discuss below. Or you can add a 实方 to another e.g. 二陈平胃散. Or you can cross over and add a 经方 to a 实方 e.g. 平胃柴胡汤.

We’ll look below at combining the most rudimentary of 经方s. 经方s are easy to work with because herbs are used with care and hence number less.

桂麻各半汤

• Here you have a weak fever that comes and goes. The idea is to use both Ephedra Decoction and Cinnamon Decoction, but at 1/3 their original load.

桂二麻一汤

• Here, the ratio of 桂枝汤 to 麻黄汤 is 2:1

桂二越一汤

• We’re adding 越婢汤 to 桂枝汤.
• Think of 越婢 a 麻黄，石膏 combination PLUS 姜枣草
• 石膏 can expel heat and is an antidote to 心烦 口渴
  • But it’s used very little here (one 两 only), and hence the name 越（meaning 发散）婢（meaning lesser）
  • while we don’t have 桂枝 to help 麻黄
• So the combined formula is using Cinnamon Twig Decoction and adding some blasting herbs (麻黄、石膏)，but only a little.

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