Warm the Channels and Disperse Cold Formulas

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" The formulas in this section treat conditions due to cold invading

the channels, which is commonly seen in patients with preexisting

blood deficiency. The cold congeals in the channels and obstructs

the flow of qi. These formulas scatter the invading cold and also

address the underlying deficiency. " (Chinese Herbal Medicine Formulas

& Strategies, Dan Bensky & Randall Barolet, p. 216.)

 

Bensky and Barolet list two formulas in this section: Tangkuei

Decorction for Frigid Extremities (dang qui si ni tang) and Yang-

Heartening Decoction (yang he tang). The second is for " Yin-type

localized swelling " . " Localized, painful swelling that blends into

the surrounding tissue with no head, no heat, and no change in

texture or color. " (p.231) It's also is particularly in cases where

Qi Stagnation due to Cold is particularly pronounced.

 

The first formula, dang gui si ni tang, is particularly recommended

when the hands and feet are cold but there are no other signs of Yang

Deficiency. " Common manifestations include pain in the joints,

irregular menstruation, abdominal pain and cold, and pain in the

lower back and legs. " (p. 216) " With the appropriate presentation,

this formula may be used in treating such biomedically-define

disorders as Raynaud's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia,

sciatica, peptic ulcer, chronic urticaria, frostbite, and

thromboangiitis obliterans. " (p. 217)

 

Tangkuei Decoction for Frigid Extremities is countraindicated in

clients with " fire from yin deficiency " . Also, it should be used

very carefully in the spring and summer and in hot localities as " it

easily injures the fluids " . (p. 217) Yang-Heartening Decoction is

contraindicated in cases with yin deficiency and also in cases of

Yang-type swellings and even Yin-type swellings that " have ulcerated

for a long period of time " . (p. 218)