Huqian Wan
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Ingredients
| Herb Name | English Name | Historical Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Bai Shao | ||
| Huang Nie | ||
| Zhi Mu | ||
| Chen Pi | two liang (approximately 75 g) | |
| Shu Di Huang | three liang (approximately 112.5 g) | |
| tiger shin bone | one liang (approximately 37.5 g) | |
| tortoise plastron | four liang (approximately 150 g) | |
| Suo Yang | ||
| Dang Gui | liang-ban, understood by the project standard as one and a half liang (approximately 56.25 g) | |
| Niu Xi | ||
| Wether mutton | ||
| Gan Jiang | In winter, one liang of Gan Jiang (approximately 37.5 g) is added. |
Traditional Indications
The source associates it with insufficiency of essence and blood, weakness and wasting of the sinews and bones, difficulty bearing weight on the feet, and steaming-bone consumptive heat. Its explanation links sinew weakness to insufficient Liver blood and bone weakness to insufficient Kidney essence.
Preparation & Administration
Bai Shao is stir-fried with wine; Huang Nie and Zhi Mu are stir-fried with salted wine. Their quantities are not stated in the photographed text. Chen Pi is listed at two liang (approximately 75 g) and moistened with salted water; Shu Di Huang at three liang (approximately 112.5 g); tiger shin bone at one liang (approximately 37.5 g), treated with ghee; and tortoise plastron at four liang (approximately 150 g), also treated with ghee. Suo Yang is moistened with wine with no stated quantity. Dang Gui is washed with wine and listed as liang-ban, understood by the project standard as one and a half liang (approximately 56.25 g). Niu Xi is wine-steamed with no stated quantity. Wether mutton is cooked in wine until soft and incorporated into pills. In winter, one liang of Gan Jiang (approximately 37.5 g) is added. The pills are taken with salted water.
Formula Rationale
Huang Nie, Zhi Mu, and Shu Di Huang enrich Kidney water and yin. Dang Gui, Bai Shao, and Niu Xi support Liver blood, while Niu Xi also directs the action downward toward the sinews and bones. The text assigns tortoise plastron the chief role in enriching yin and tiger shin bone an assisting role in strengthening the bones. Suo Yang supports essence and moistens the sinews; Chen Pi regulates qi; Gan Jiang opens the yang aspect; and mutton provides warm supplementation. The formula is also called Buyin Wan.