How To Find The Most Efficient Formula (45) Tao Ren Treats Symptoms Due to Stagnated Blood

Other Herbs That Treat Various Symptoms

By Daniel Cho, L.Ac. (email: [email protected])

Gua Lou Shi: Symptom Indicator Score++, Frequency of Use++

• Main Symptom(s): ①Chest discomfort (of cardiac origin): This typically presents as a chest fullness or pain sensation. The discomfort may feel tight or heavy and can be associated with a sense of pressure, which often leads to concerns about potential heart-related issues.
• Possible Symptoms: ②Radiating pain: This refers to pain that extends from the chest to other areas, such as the shoulder, neck, or upper back. Depending on the severity of the condition, radiating pain can vary in intensity and may be intermittent or constant. ③Phlegm and cough: Patients may experience a buildup of phlegm in the chest, leading to a persistent cough. This symptom may be accompanied by shortness of breath, particularly with physical exertion or lying down. ④Mild edema refers to slight swelling, typically seen in the lower extremities, such as the feet or ankles. It may be noticeable after prolonged periods of standing or sitting. ⑤Normal or dry stools: Due to insufficient intestinal fluid, the stools may be harder than usual, but they are generally not so hard as to be classified as constipation. Soft or loose stools are typically absent, and diarrhea is not a feature of this condition.

Xie Bai: Symptom Indicator Score+, Frequency of Use+

• Main Symptom(s): Chest discomfort (of cardiac origin) such as chest fullness and/or pain.
• TIP: Xie Bai’s clinical signs are similar to those of Gua Lou Shi, so it is usually used as an assisting herb with Gua Lou Shi.

Chai Hu: Symptom Indicator Score+, Frequency of Use+++

• Possible Symptoms: ①Resistance and rigidity in the hypochondriac region (usually stronger on the right side than the left) (also called hypochondriac fullness and pain, stuffiness and rigidity of the flank) are commonly diagnosed. ②(In Da Chai Hu Tang and Xiao Chai Hu Tang) swelling and pain in the throat, dry mouth and lips, inflammation along the course of Gallbladder meridian (in febrile diseases), fever and alternating chills and fever.
• CAPE: ③Chai Hu patients are mostly Yang-types, but some are Yin-types if Chai Hu is used with Long Gu or Zhi Shi (as in Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang, Si Ni San, Da Chai Hu Tang). ④Chai Hu patients are emotionally sensitive and tend to get easily nervous.
• TIP ⑤ There are only Possible Symptoms for Chai Hu and no Main Symptoms, which means its indicator score is low and its clinical signs are oblivious and hard to find.

Ge Gen: Symptom Indicator Score++, Frequency of Use+

• Main Symptom(s): ① Stiffness and pain in the neck and shoulder frequently occurring and severe. 
• Possible Symptoms: ②(Due to Main Symptoms) stiffness and pain radiating to upper back, jaw, and masticatory muscles ③Ge Gen (Jia Ban Xia) Tang works well for rhinitis with nasal congestion as the main symptom. In this case, stiffness and pain in the neck may be absent.
• Tendency: ④ Aversion to heat.

Tao Ren: Symptom Indicator Score+, Frequency of Use+

• Main Symptoms: Overall, symptoms are due to stagnated blood.
• External Symptoms of Stagnated Blood: ①Menstrual blood would be dark and clotted. Also, menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea ②History of C-section, contusion or major surgeries ③Tendency to bruise easily, or bruise marks on the body ④Signs of stagnated blood in tongue diagnoses, such as dark, bluish spots or enlarged sublingual veins ⑤Varicose veins of the limbs ⑥Tenderness of the lower left abdomen (sometimes in, the lower right abdomen, or around the navel as well) ⑦Constipation.
• Possible Symptoms: Constipation due to lack of intestinal fluid, mild edema.

<Formulas for stagnated blood from Shang Han Lun and Jing Gui Yao Lue>

☞You can consider these herbs when external symptoms of stagnated blood are present.