Table 1.
The source, TCM effects, and syndromes of the nine Chinese herbal formulas
| Formula | Source | TCM effects | TCM syndromes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banxia houpo decoction | Jingui Yaolue (Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber)22 | Promote chi and eliminate stagnation, calm the adverse chi, and dissolve phlegm | Syndrome of phlegm-chi stagnation and binding |
| Chaihu shugansan | Jingyue Quanshu (Complete Works of Zhang Jingyue)24 | Soothe the liver and regulate chi, promote blood circulation to relieve pain | Syndrome of liver-chi stagnation |
| Ganmaidazao decoction | Jingui Yaolue (Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber)48 | Nourish the heart and tranquilize mind, regulate the function of the middle jiao, relieve spasms, and alleviate pain | Syndrome of heart-yin deficiency, heart–mind malnutrition, and liver-chi disharmony |
| Kaixinsan | Beiji Qianjin Yaofang (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand in Gold for Every Emergency)53 | Invigorate vital energy to nourish heart and tranquilize and sedate the mind | Syndrome of heart-chi deficiency, heart–kidney disharmony |
| Shuganjieyu capsules | Chengdu Kanghong Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China (batch Z20080580)71 | Soothe the liver and relieve depression, strengthen the spleen, and calm the nerves | Syndrome of liver-chi stagnation and spleen deficiency |
| Sinisan | Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Febrile Diseases Caused by Cold)76 | Expel pathogens and resolve depression, soothe the liver, and regulate the spleen | Syndrome of yang-chi stagnation or syndrome of liver–spleen disharmony |
| Wuling capsules | Zhejiang Jolly Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd (batch Z19990048)86 | Tonify the kidney and brain, nourish the heart, and tranquilize the mind | Syndrome of heart–kidney disharmony or heart–spleen deficiency |
| Xiaoyaosan | Pharmacy Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang (Prescriptions of the Bureau of Taiping People’s Welfare)100 | Soothe the liver and strengthen the spleen, nourish blood, and regulate menstruation | Syndrome of liver-chi stagnation, blood deficiency, and spleen weakness |
| Yueju | Danxi Xinfa (Danxi’s Mastery of Medicine)111 | Regulate the flow of chi and relieve depression, regulate the function of the middle jiao, and remove chi stagnancy | Syndrome of six stagnancy (chi, dampness, fire, phlegm, blood, and food) |
Abbreviation: TCM, traditional Chinese medicine.