Differentiation

Symptoms

Formula

E x c e s s

Liver Qi stagnation

depression, irritability, easily angered, hypochondriac fullness and pain, chest tightness and frequent sighing, wiry pulse

Xiao Yao San, Si Ni San

Liver fire

easily angered, irritability, nightmares, hypochondriac pain and distention, red face and eyes, bitter taste in the mouth, thirst, red tongue, wiry and strong pulse

Long Dan Xie Gan Tang

Qi stagnation with heat and phlegm

depression, intense irritability or violent outbursts of anger; hypochondriac pain, chest tightness, irregular periods with clots, breast distension, abdominal distention and belching, fatigue, red tongue, wiry pulse

Yue Ju Wan

Heat-phlegm

anxiety, mental restlessness, palpitations, dizziness or vertigo, insomnia, focal distention in the chest, bitter taste in the mouth, red tongue with yellow greasy coating, slippery and wiry pulse

Wen Dan Tang

Qi and phlegm stagnation

a sensation of obstruction in the throat that can neither be swallowed nor ejected (“Plum-Pit” syndrome), a stifling sensation in the chest and hypochondriac region, sighing, difficulty in swallowing, tightness of the chest, nausea and vomiting, white greasy tongue coat, wiry and slippery pulse

Ban Xia Hou Po Tang

Blood stasis disturbing the Heart

abnormal behavior and speech following menstruation or accompanied by dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, or lochioschesis; purple tongue with black spots, choppy pulse

Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan

S. Y.

Shao Yang syndrome

mental depression, anxiety, poor appetite, hypochondriac pain and distention, bitter taste in the mouth, dizziness, may have alternating chills and fever, nausea and vomiting; white tongue coating, wiry pulse

Xiao Chai Hu Tang

D e f i c i e n c y

Heart Qi and Blood deficiency “Zang Zao” syndrome

disorientation or abnormal behavior and speech, frequent attacks of melancholy and crying, inability to control oneself emotionally, restless sleep, frequent bouts of yawning, red tongue with scanty coating; thin, rapid pulse

Gan Mai Da Zao Tang

Heart and Lung Qi deficiency

easily becomes sad or depressed, feels like crying, worries and doesn’t like to talk, fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath, cough, spontaneous sweating, pale tongue, and a weak pulse

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, Si Jun Zi Tang

Heart Blood and Spleen Qi deficiency

palpitations, disorientation, fear, poor memory, worry , insomnia, fatigue, dizziness, anxiety, poor appetite, loose stools, pale face, weak and thin pulse

Gui Pi Tang + Si Wu Tang

Yin deficiency with heat

restlessness, irritability, insomnia, night sweats, easily angered, five center heat, sore and weak knees and back, red tongue with scanty coat, thready and rapid pulse

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
+ Mu Dan Pi, Shan Zhi Zi