Irritease
Tong xie yao fang & Huo xiang zheng qi san
Kan Traditionals
Harmonizes the Liver and Spleen, spreads the Liver Qi, strengthens the Spleen, transforms Dampness, clears Damp Heat, regulates the Middle Burner.
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- Herb: Capillaris herb, White atractylodes rhizome, Codonopsis root, Job's tears seed, Schisandra fruit, Bupleurum root, Patchouli herb, Magnolia bark, Plantain seed, Poria, Phellodendron bark, Prepared ginger rhizome, Chinese ash bark, Honey fried Chinese licorice root and rhizome, Saussurea root, White peony root, Tangerine dried rind of mature fruit, Coptis rhizome, Siler root, Fragrant angelica root
- Herb (Pinyin): Yin chen hao, Bai zhu, Dang shen, Yi yi ren, Wu wei zi, Chai hu, Guang huo xiang, Hou po, Che qian zi, Fu ling, Huang bai, Pao jiang, Qin pi, Zhi gan cao, Mu xiang, Bai shao, Chen pi, Huang lian, Fang feng, Bai zhi
- Pattern: Liver Qi stagnation, Spleen Qi deficiency, Liver and Spleen disharmony, Damp Heat in the Stomach and Intestines, Qi deficiency
- Actions: Harmonize Liver and Spleen, Transform Dampness, Strengthens the Spleen, clears Damp Heat, regulates the Middle Burner, Regulate Liver Qi, Tonify Spleen Qi
- Indications: Occasional fatigue, lethargy, Supports a healthy digestive system, Supports healthy water metabolism, Supports healthy bowel functions, Supports Intestinal health, Occasional abdominal distention, Occasional gurgling, rumbling or sensation of fullness in the abdomen
- Contraindications: None.
- Tongue: Tongue body variable, swollen, teeth marks and thin, white or yellow coat.
- Pulse: Wiry, slippery, rapid.
Irritease is a blend of the herbal strategies of two traditional formulas: Tong Xie Yao Feng, a harmonizing formula for Spleen deficiency with an over controlling Liver, and Agastache Powder to Rectify the Qi (Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San), a formula to transform Damp turbidity, regulate the Qi and harmonize the Middle Burner. Irritease harmonizes the Liver and Spleen, strengthens the Spleen, tonifies Qi, transforms Dampness, clears Heat and regulates the Middle Burner.
Irritease addresses a Liver Spleen disharmony, with Damp Heat in the Stomach and Intestines. In this pattern, the constrained Liver Qi causes stagnation and oppression that leads to Spleen Qi deficiency. Due to the deficiency of Spleen Qi, Dampness accumulates in the Middle and Lower Burners, obstructing the transformative action of the Yang Qi and, over time, transforming into Damp Heat.
From the traditional formula, Tong Xie Yao Feng, four herbs were retained. White atractylodes rhizome strengthens the Spleen and dries Dampness, and White peony root softens the overactive Liver and eases stagnation. Together they restrain the Liver and tonify the Spleen, helping to stop stagnation while addressing occasional loose bowels. Tangerine dried rind of mature fruit harmonizes the Middle Burner and transforms Dampness, supporting the actions of White atractylodes rhizome. Siler root dispels Wind Cold and Wind Damp. It enters the Liver and Spleen channels, focusing the actions of the other herbs on these two organs.
Codonopsis root and Plantain seed are classical modifications of this formula. Codonopsis root addresses severe Qi deficiency. With Poria, it addresses Spleen and Stomach deficiency, and with White atractylodes rhizome, it strengthens the Spleen. Plantain seed supports healthy urination, binds the stools, separates the clear and turbid fluids and guides Damp Heat downward to be released through the urine.
The emperor herb from Agastache Powder to Rectify the Qi, Patchouli herb, disperses Wind Cold, transforms turbid Dampness and revives the Spleen. Magnolia bark promotes proper movement of Qi and water metabolism and Tangerine dried rind of mature fruit regulates the Qi, transforms Dampness and harmonizes the Middle Burner. Fragrant angelica root helps dispel externally contracted Cold, relieving stagnation and expelling Dampness. Poria, together with White atractylodes rhizome, strengthens the Spleen and transforms Dampness. Prepared Ginger rhizome warms and protects the Middle. Honey fried Chinese licorice root and rhizome strongly tonifies the Middle, augments the Heart and Spleen Qi and harmonizes the properties of the other herbs.
Saussurea root, a classical addition for both formulas, promotes the flow of Qi, dispels stagnation and strengthens the Spleen.
In addition, modern modifications were made and several herbs were added to the overall formula. Capillaris herb, Phellodendron bark, Coptis rhizome, and Chinese ash bark were added to clear Damp Heat. Capillaris herb clears Heat and resolves Dampness. Phellodendron bark drains Damp Heat from the Lower Burner. Coptis rhizome clears Heat, drains Dampness in the Intestines and Stomach, and Chinese ash bark clears Heat, drains Liver Fire, and drains Dampness.
Herbs to supplement the Middle Burner were added, including Job’s tears seeds to leach out Dampness and strengthen the Spleen, and Bupleurum root to spread Liver Qi, address Heat from deficiency and harmonize Liver and Spleen.
Schisandra fruit was added to bind the Essence, strengthen the Kidney and quiet the Spirit.
ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT
Tong Xie Yao Feng originally appeared in Collected Treatises of Zhang Jing-yue (Jing Yue Quan Shu) and Imperial Grace Formulary of the Tai Ping Era (Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang).