When frustration ends up overheating
Irritability that rises quickly, frequent sighing, a feeling of tightness along the sides of the chest, heat in the face, a slightly bitter mouth, restless sleep, a more fragile mood at certain points in the cycle… In TCM, these signs may be associated with lasting Liver Qi stagnation, against a background of Blood deficiency and a tired Spleen. Constrained Qi ends up heating up: tradition then speaks of constraint Heat, which rises upwards and agitates the Shen.
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San, the “Augmented Free and Easy Wanderer Powder”, takes up Xiao Yao San, one of the best-known formulas of the Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (《太平惠民和剂局方》), the official formulary of the Song, whose name comes from the philosopher Zhuangzi. Under the Ming, Xue Ji (薛己) added two cool herbs to it in the Nei Ke Zhai Yao (《内科摘要》): tree peony bark and gardenia. Jia wei (加味) means “added flavours”.
Free the Liver, then cool
The whole base is that of Xiao Yao San: bupleurum moves Liver Qi, angelica and white peony nourish its Blood, atractylodes and poria protect the Spleen. Tradition says that the Liver has a Yin body and a Yang function: you cannot free its movement without nourishing its substance. The two additions respond to what happens when stagnation lasts, by clearing Heat, one at the level of Blood, the other at the level of Qi.
Supports the flow of Qi: Bupleurum, the chief herb of the formula, loosens Liver Qi; mint, in small amounts, helps it spread.
Clarifies Heat: Tree peony bark cools the Blood and gardenia makes Heat descend: the formula, slightly warm in its base version, becomes slightly cool.
Facilitates emotional harmony: In TCM, the Liver ensures the free flow of Qi and, with it, the smooth flow of emotions. Qi that flows and Heat that has calmed let the mood regain its balance.
Supports comfort throughout the female cycle: According to tradition, the Liver stores Blood. By nourishing it and freeing its Qi, the formula accompanies women from one cycle to the next.
