Pulse-Engendering Combination - Sheng Mai San

Formula Type

Extract & Concentrate

TCM Pattern

Treats yin-qi vacuity patterns that affect the upper burner. Classically, this formula was used to treat summerheat disorders that left the qi and yin depleted (thirst, dry mouth, shortness of breath). Nowadays, the formula is typically applied to chronic cough owing to qi and yin vacuity with symptoms such as cough with absence of phlegm or scant phlegm, spontaneous sweating and a dry throat and mouth. Or, it is used to treat heart-qi weakness owing to yin-qi vacuity that presents with cold in the four limbs, low blood pressure, shortness of breath and bodily fatigue.

Therapeutic Functions

Boosts the qi, enriches yin, engenders fluids and the pulse, constrains the lung, and checks sweating.*

Clinical Indications

Fatigue, shortness of breath, chronic cough that produces scant or no phlegm, low blood pressure, spontaneous sweating, heart disease. This formula is also often applied to post-illness or post-operative patients who present with signs of yin and qi vacuity.

Symptoms & Signs

This formula addresses dual vacuity of qi and yin. The patient typically will present with signs of weakness as in a weak voice, fatigue, etc.. They may also present with profuse sweating with dry mouth as in post-illness depletion of yin and qi. Chronic coughing owing to lung qi and yin damage is a third possible presentation. Lastly, the formula is often used to address vacuity heart disease patterns that present with physical weakness, shortness of breath and sweating.

Precautions

This formula is astringent and thus is contraindicated in the presence of an exterior pathogen.

Pulse Quality

Fine and vacuous.

Tongue Appearance

A thin tongue fur with scan fluid.