Sijunzi decoction-the first prescription of invigorating qi
Traditional Chinese medicine pays attention to seasons, and people's appetite is relatively strong in winter, which is the most suitable season for tonic in a year. Sijunzi Decoction, a prescription prescribed by Dr. Fang for patients, has a long history. The main components of this prescription are ginseng, Atractylodes macrocephala, roasted licorice and Poria. Many prescriptions for invigorating qi in later generations are based on its ingredients.
The most important effect of Sijunzi decoction is to invigorate qi, which is called "the first prescription of invigorating qi". Among them, ginseng is the monarch drug, which has the functions of invigorating spleen and nourishing stomach, benefiting qi and warming the stomach; Atractylodes macrocephala is a minister medicine, which has the effect of invigorating spleen and benefiting qi; With fried licorice and poria cocos, the effect of invigorating spleen and eliminating dampness is more obvious, and it is beneficial to tonify the middle energizer and breed qi and blood.
The scope of application of this prescription is mainly various symptoms caused by spleen and stomach weakness and deficiency of qi and blood, such as shortness of breath, sallow complexion, loss of appetite, chest tightness and nausea, etc. In ancient times, there was a saying that "the four kings are the basic prescriptions for invigorating qi, and eating less makes them unable to defecate".
Modern people often have problems such as qi deficiency and spleen and stomach weakness. After taking Sijunzi decoction for a period of time, the symptoms of discomfort can be effectively alleviated. Therefore, people are amazed at this prescription, and many people are puzzled: Why is this prescription for invigorating qi named "Sijunzi decoction" and what is the relationship between it and "gentlemen"?
Why is the prescription of invigorating qi called "gentleman"?
Chen Ling, a master of Peking Union Medical College, pointed out that licorice, poria cocos, Atractylodes macrocephala and ginseng are the most famous four gentlemen in traditional Chinese medicine. Together, they became the well-known Sijunzi decoction, so they were called "gentlemen" because these four traditional Chinese medicines are gentle and dedicated to strengthening the body.
When people are sick, they should strengthen the body resistance first, and then drive away evil spirits. At this time, the four kinds of Chinese medicines will help the healthy qi like gentlemen. Moreover, these four kinds of Chinese medicines are mild in nature, although they supplement qi, they are not hot and dry, and they are also like the impartial conduct of gentlemen. Therefore, this prescription is called "Sijunzi Decoction".
On the basis of Sijunzi Decoction, adding and subtracting its ingredients can generate new prescriptions, which have more effects and are suitable for more symptoms. The following prescriptions are the most common and used.
Four gentlemen add and subtract, and one becomes square.
After asking questions, Chinese medicine will prescribe a prescription according to the specific symptoms of the patient, and the prescription is not fixed. The composition of the prescription changes from time to time according to the patient's situation, such as the common Sijunzi decoction. The following four prescriptions can be obtained by adding or subtracting the composition of the basic Sijunzi decoction:
Yigong Powder: Sijunzi Decoction plus dried tangerine peel can get "Yigong Powder". This prescription is used to treat patients with qi deficiency of spleen and stomach and symptoms of qi stagnation, focusing on strengthening spleen and stomach, which can effectively improve vomiting and diarrhea, loss of appetite, chest tightness and loose stool.
Liujunzi Decoction: On the basis of ginseng, Poria, Atractylodes macrocephala and Glycyrrhiza uralensis, two gentlemen, tangerine peel and Pinellia tuber, are added to get Liujunzi Decoction. This prescription has the effect of improving the symptoms of spleen and stomach qi deficiency and phlegm-dampness, focusing on benefiting qi and resolving phlegm, and is often used to treat discomfort such as loss of appetite, loose stool, chest tightness and vomiting.
Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction: Liujunzi Decoction with Amomum villosum and Radix Aucklandiae is Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction. The ingredients in this prescription are mild in nature, and can be used for treating qi deficiency of spleen and stomach and stagnation of phlegm, which can improve symptoms such as emaciation, tiredness, vomiting and nausea, and lack of appetite.
Baoyuan decoction: On the basis of Sijunzi decoction, ginger, cinnamon and astragalus are added, which has a more remarkable effect of invigorating qi, and is often used to treat many symptoms of qi deficiency, especially in children, such as chills, burnout and fatigue.
Sijunzi decoction, as the first prescription of invigorating qi, should be flexibly compatible in daily treatment, and add and subtract ingredients according to the specific situation of patients, which is also the essence of traditional Chinese medicine.