Pulse-Engendering Powder

Pulse-Engendering Powder

Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Ren Shan) 5 fen (9g), Ophiopogonis Radix (Mai Men Dong) 5 fen (9g), Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus (Wu Wei Zi) 7 pieces (6g)

It was noted in the source text that the formula should be decocted with running spring water and taken anytime. The modern method is to decoct and take one dosage three times within one day.

Boosts qi and promotes fluid production; astringes yin and arrests sweating.

1. Qi and yin consumption due to warm-heat or summerheat invasion. The clinical manifestations include profuse sweating, mental fatigue, general sluggish sensation, lack of strength, weak breathing, reluctance to speak, dry throat, and thirst. The tongue is red and dry with a scanty coating and the pulse is deficient and rapid.

Sheng Mai San is indicated for deficiency of both qi and yin. The deficiency pattern may follow a warm-heat or summer-heat attack or caused by a chronic cough. When warm-heat or summer-heat attacks the body, there will be a loss of fluids due to sweating which can easily lead to qi and fluid deficiency. The lung governs the skin and body hair. Summer-heat impairs the lung qi. The lung qi fails to control the pores and protect the exterior of the body. The result is fluid leakage that manifests as profuse sweating. Weak breathing and reluctance to speak are caused by lung qi impairment, as it governs the qi. Profuse sweating consumes body fluids, as a result, there is not enough fluid to nourish the throat; therefore; thirst and dry throat occur. Mental fatigue, lack of strength, and the tongue and pulse manifestations are all signs of qi and yin consumption. Long term cough will damage the lung and cause qi and yin deficiency with the same manifestations. The treatment principle is to boost qi, nourish yin, and promote fluid production.

1. Essential pattern differentiation Sheng Mai San is a basic formula applicable to deficiency of both qi and yin. This clinical pattern is marked by mental fatigue, shortness of breath, dry throat, red tongue, deficient pulse. 2. Modern applications Sheng Mai San is widely used for the following diseases that have the pattern of both qi and yin deficiency: pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic bronchitis, cough, vexation and insomnia caused by neurasthenia, cardiac arrhythmia, etc. Sheng Mai Injection is proven by pharmacological research to have little toxicity and wide margin of safety. It is often used to treat acute myocardial infarction, cardiac shock, toxic shock, hemorrhagic shock, coronary heart disease, and endocrinopathy in patterns differentiated as deficiency of both qi and yin. 3. Cautions and contraindications It is inappropriate for patterns accompanied with invasion of external pathogens or for summerheat attack without qi and yin deficiency. For qi and yin deficiency due to chronic cough pattern, it is only appropriate for pure deficiency without excess complications.

Ginseng ( Panax ginseng ) is listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II. Its trade is allowed but subject to licensing controls.