True Warrior Combination - Zhen Wu Tang

Formula Type

Extract

TCM Pattern

This formula is mentioned in the source text in two contexts. The first is for treatment of unresolved fever after mistreatment of a taiyang disorder (external wind-cold contraction). The mistreatment and unresolved external pathogen result in debilitated yang qi. The second mention of this formula is in regard to treatment of abdominal pain in the course of a shaoyin pattern. Here again the symptoms are related to the yang-vacuity (with fluid-accumulation) pattern. Through the centuries the use of this formula widened to include almost all yang-vacuity, fluid accumulation patterns. Symptoms of this pattern are aversion to cold, cold extremities, fluid accumulation (either visible as in edema or not visible as in internal fluid obstruction), fatigue, lack of libido, heart weakness (palpitations), failure of the clear yang to rise (dizziness, clouded thinking) and cold pain (cold pathogen taking advantage of a yang-vacuity situation).

Therapeutic Functions

Warms the kidney, dispels cold, fortifies the spleen and disinhibits water.*

Clinical Indications

This formula is applied to three categories of disorders: 1. Fluid-accumulation disorders such as edema, congestive heart failure, hyperaldosteronism, hypothyroidism, ascites, Meniere’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis. 2. Yang-vacuity dizziness as in hypertension, post-concussion syndrome and orthostatic hypotension 3. Painful disorders such as osteoarthritis, sciatica, trigeminal neuralgia, and post-concussion headache. This formula has also been used for chronic bronchitis characterized by coughing of clear frothy phlegm, pleurisy, facial tics, prostatitis, benign prostatic hypertrophy, allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis.

Symptoms & Signs

This formula treats yang-vacuity, fluid accumulation patterns that present with edema, fluid accumulation, dizziness, fatigue, aversion to cold, pale complexion and a deep, fine and weak pulse.

Precautions

This formula is hot and drying. It is for short-term use and should not be given to patients who suffer from yin vacuity. Because it contains Fu Zi, this formula should not be given to pregnant or nursing women and dosing should be carefully monitored.

Pulse Quality

Deep, fine and weak

Tongue Appearance

Pale (or purplish) and puffy with a glossy, white fur