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"Bupleurum 12 is the principal harmonizing therapy provided in the Seven Forests line. It represents a merging of three ancient prescriptions that are widely used today: Bupleurum and Cinnamon Combination, Bupleurum and Tang-kuei Formula, and Bupleurum and Chih-shih Formula. Fu-Shen replaces the related herb hoelen, while mentha and jujube are deleted. This prescription can be used as the basis for any harmonizing therapy, and it combines well with many other formulas, though the most common prescriptions to mix with it are those with overlapping activities: dispersing qi stagnation, improving the function of the stomach and spleen, resolving accumulation of moisture and phlegm, and alleviating stress. The general syndrome addressed by this formula is one in which the liver is functionally disturbed, causing agitation, stomach distress, and tension or congestion of the areas affected by the liver meridian. Cinnamon twig with peony opens the meridians; peony with licorice relaxes tension; bupleurum with chih-shih disperses the congested liver qi and promotes gallbladder function; tang-kuei with peony nourishes and relaxes the liver; ginseng with licorice invigorates the spleen and reinforces the stomach; pinellia with atractylodes improves stomach function and prevents accumulation of moisture and phlegm; scute with fu-shen calms agitated spirit." |
