1. Prescription Source & History

1. Origin Background

 Xin Jia Xiang Ru Yin or Newly-added Mosla Decoction It is recorded in "Treatise on Febrile Diseases", written by Wu Jutong, a famous febrile-disease expert in the Qing Dynasty. Against the backdrop of the continuous development of the theory of febrile diseases, summarizing the experience of predecessors and combining his own clinical practice, Wu Jutong created many effective prescriptions, and Newly-added Mosla Decoction is one of them. At that time, febrile diseases were prevalent, and traditional treatment methods were ineffective in dealing with some newly emerging diseases. Through in-depth research and practice, Wu Jutong created this prescription for the syndrome of summerheat complicated by dampness.

2. Historical Evolution

Xin Jia Xiang Ru Yin has been continuously applied and developed in later generations. With the increase in clinical practice, doctors have gained a deeper understanding of its scope of application and modifications. It not only plays an important role in treating summerheat complicated by dampness, but its scope of application has gradually expanded to some diseases with similar pathogenesis. In the process of inheritance, different doctors adjusted and improved the prescription according to factors such as region, season, and individual differences of patients, making it always maintain a high practical value in clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine.

2. Composition Introduction (King, Minister, Assistant, Guide)

1. King Drug - Elsholtzia

Mosla chinensis Maxim. is pungent in flavor and slightly warm in nature. It belongs to the lung, spleen, and stomach meridians. Its main effects are inducing sweating to relieve exterior syndrome, resolving dampness and regulating the middle-jiao. In Newly-added Mosla Decoction, Mosla chinensis Maxim. is used for the syndrome of summerheat complicated by dampness. It can relieve exterior cold and resolve dampness aromatically, and is the key medicine for treating summerheat-damp cold. When summerheat-dampness pathogen attacks the muscle surface, Mosla chinensis Maxim. can make the pathogen disperse from the exterior through sweating, and its aromatic qi can disperse damp turbidity, enabling the qi of the spleen and stomach to stretch and the transportation and transformation of the middle-jiao to return to normal.

2. Minister Drugs - Honeysuckle, Forsythia

Flos Lonicerae Japonicae, that is, Lonicera japonica Thunb., is sweet in flavor and cold in nature. It belongs to the lung, heart, and stomach meridians. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, dispersing wind-heat. Fructus Forsythiae is bitter in flavor and slightly cold in nature. It belongs to the lung, heart, and small intestine meridians. It can clear heat and detoxify, dissipate swelling and nodules, and disperse wind-heat. The two herbs in the prescription assist Mosla chinensis Maxim. to enhance the power of relieving exterior and clearing heat. Summerheat complicated by dampness is likely to transform into heat. Flos Lonicerae Japonicae and Fructus Forsythiae can clear interior heat, prevent the summerheat-dampness pathogen from further transforming into fire and toxin, and work together with Mosla chinensis Maxim. to relieve both exterior and interior, enabling the summerheat-dampness pathogen to be eliminated from both the exterior and interior.

3. Assistant Drugs - Magnolia, Lupin

Magnolia officinalis Rehd. et Wils. is bitter and pungent in flavor and warm in nature. It belongs to the spleen, stomach, lung, and large intestine meridians. It has the effects of drying dampness, eliminating phlegm, and lowering qi to relieve fullness. In Newly-added Mosla Decoction, Magnolia officinalis Rehd. et Wils. can dry dampness and promote the transportation of the spleen, eliminating damp obstruction in the middle-jiao. When summerheat-dampness困阻 the spleen and stomach, leading to abnormal transportation and transformation, Magnolia officinalis Rehd. et Wils. can enhance the transportation and transformation function of the spleen and stomach, eliminating symptoms such as abdominal distension and fullness. Dolichos lablab L. is sweet in flavor and slightly warm in nature. It belongs to the spleen and stomach meridians. It can strengthen the spleen and regulate the middle-jiao, dispel summerheat and resolve dampness. Dolichos lablab L. assists Magnolia officinalis Rehd. et Wils. to enhance the power of resolving dampness and regulating the middle-jiao, and at the same time can harmonize the spleen and stomach, preventing the medicine from being too cold or pungent-dispersing and damaging healthy qi.

3. Pathogenesis, Effects & Treatments

1. Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis targeted by Newly-added Mosla Decoction is summerheat complicated by dampness. In summer, the climate is hot and summerheat prevails. The human body is easily invaded by summerheat pathogen. If one indulges in cold drinks or stays in a damp place at this time, it is easy to feel damp pathogen, forming the syndrome of summerheat-dampness. Summerheat is a yang pathogen, hot in nature, easily injuring body fluid and consuming qi; dampness is a yin pathogen, sticky in nature, easily obstructing qi movement. When the summerheat-dampness pathogen attacks the muscle surface, the defensive qi is obstructed, so symptoms of exterior syndrome such as fever, aversion to cold, and absence of sweating appear; when summerheat-dampness obstructs the middle-jiao, the transportation and transformation of the spleen and stomach are abnormal, and symptoms such as chest distress, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea occur.

2. Efficacy

Newly-added Mosla Decoction has the effects of dispelling summerheat and relieving exterior syndrome, clearing heat and resolving dampness. Through Mosla chinensis Maxim. inducing sweating to relieve exterior syndrome, the summerheat-dampness pathogen is resolved from the exterior; Flos Lonicerae Japonicae and Fructus Forsythiae clear heat and purge fire, eliminating the heat transformed from summerheat-dampness; Magnolia officinalis Rehd. et Wils. and Dolichos lablab L. dry dampness and promote the transportation of the spleen, resolve dampness and regulate the middle-jiao, enabling the damp pathogen in the middle-jiao to be resolved. The whole prescription works together to dispel summerheat, clear heat, resolve dampness and regulate the middle-jiao, enabling the summerheat-dampness pathogen to be dispelled and the human body to restore normal physiological functions.

3. Indications

It is mainly used to treat the syndrome of summer heat and dampness complicated with exogenous cold. Symptoms include fever, headache, aversion to cold without sweating, thirst with flushed face, chest distress, white and greasy tongue coating, and floating and rapid pulse. Fever and headache are due to the invasion of summer heat and dampness pathogens into the muscle surface, which stagnates the defensive qi; aversion to cold without sweating is caused by the cold pathogen binding the exterior, restricting the defensive yang; thirst with flushed face indicates that summer heat injures the body fluid; chest distress is due to the obstruction of summer heat and dampness in the middle jiao, resulting in unsmooth qi movement; white and greasy tongue coating suggests the internal accumulation of dampness pathogen; floating and rapid pulse is a sign of summer heat and dampness combined with the exterior. Xinjia Xiangru Yin can effectively relieve the condition and restore the normal state of the body for these symptoms.

IV. Analysis of Formula Principles

1. Combine Diaphoresis and Dampness-Resolving

In the formula, Xiangru is the main drug, which induces sweating to relieve the exterior syndrome, resolves dampness and regulates the middle jiao, targeting the syndrome of summer heat and dampness in the exterior. Houpu and Doukou are the assistant drugs, drying dampness and promoting the transportation of the spleen, resolving dampness and regulating the middle jiao, to treat the syndrome of summer heat and dampness obstructing the middle jiao. The combination of the two enables the exterior pathogen to be resolved and the interior dampness to be transformed. Their aromatic and pungent-dispersing properties can not only disperse the cold pathogen in the muscle surface externally but also transform the damp turbidity in the spleen and stomach internally, enabling the summer heat and dampness pathogens to be eliminated both internally and externally.

2. Coordinate clearing heat and relieving exterior syndrome

Yinhua and Lianqiao have the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, and dispersing wind-heat. In the case of summer heat and dampness, summer heat and dampness are likely to transform into heat and generate fire. Yinhua and Lianqiao can clear the interior heat. Acting synergistically with the exterior-relieving drugs such as Xiangru, they can not only relieve the exterior cold but also prevent the summer heat and dampness pathogens from transforming into heat, achieving the purpose of relieving both the exterior and the interior. This compatibility makes the formula more comprehensive and effective in treating the syndrome of summer heat and dampness.

3. Harmonize the spleen and stomach to protect the healthy qi

Doukou is sweet in taste and slightly warm in nature, which can strengthen the spleen and harmonize the middle jiao, eliminate summer heat and resolve dampness. It plays a role in regulating the spleen and stomach in the formula. It can not only assist Houpu and Xiangru in resolving dampness and promoting the transportation of the spleen but also prevent other drugs from being too cold or pungent-dispersing and damaging the healthy qi of the spleen and stomach. While dispelling pathogens, it pays attention to protecting the healthy qi, reflecting the overall concept and syndrome differentiation and treatment thought of traditional Chinese medicine in treating diseases.

V. Comparison with Other Similar Formulas

1. Compare with Xiang Ru Powder

Xiang Ru San or Xiang Ru Powder is from 'Taiping Huimin Hejiju Fang' and is mainly composed of Xiangru, Semen Lablab Album, and Houpu. Its efficacy is to relieve the exterior syndrome and resolve dampness and regulate the middle jiao. Compared with Xinjia Xiangru Yin, Xiangru San has a stronger effect on relieving the exterior syndrome and mainly focuses on treating simple summer heat and dampness colds, mainly manifested by exterior syndromes such as aversion to cold without sweating, heavy head and body pain, and relatively insufficient heat-clearing power. Xinjia Xiangru Yin adds Yinhua and Lianqiao on the basis of Xiangru San, enhancing the heat-clearing effect, and is more suitable for diseases with summer heat and dampness and the tendency of heat transformation.

2. Compare with Liu Yi Powder

Liu Yi San or Liu Yi Powder is composed of Talcum and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. Its efficacy is to clear summer heat and promote diuresis. It is mainly used to treat the syndrome of summer heat and dampness, mainly manifested by body heat, restlessness, thirst, and difficult urination. Compared with Xin Jia Xiang Ru Yin, Liuyi San focuses on clearing and promoting the excretion of damp-heat in the lower jiao, while Xinjia Xiangru Yin pays more attention to treating both the exterior and the interior. It has the functions of relieving the exterior syndrome and resolving dampness, regulating the middle jiao, and clearing the interior heat, with a wider range of applications and is more suitable for patients with summer heat and dampness accompanied by exterior syndromes and interior heat symptoms.

VI. Clinical Applications & Indications

1. Summer Cold

In summer, people are prone to catch colds due to excessive consumption of cold drinks or exposure to summer heat and dampness pathogens. Xinjia Xiangru Yin is suitable for such patients with summer heat and dampness, summer colds complicated with exogenous cold. Symptoms include fever, aversion to cold, no sweating, headache, chest distress, nausea, white and greasy tongue coating, etc. After taking Xinjia Xiangru Yin, the exterior pathogen can be resolved and the summer heat and dampness can be transformed, and the cold symptoms will gradually relieve.

2. Infantile Summer Fever

Infantile summer fever is a specific febrile disease in infants and young children, mostly occurring in the hot summer season. The main manifestations are persistent fever, excessive thirst with polydipsia, polyuria, and anhidrosis. Its pathogenesis is related to the internal accumulation of summer heat and dampness. Xinjia Xiangru Yin can adjust the yin-yang balance in children's bodies through the functions of relieving the exterior syndrome and resolving dampness, clearing heat and transforming dampness, relieve symptoms such as fever, and has a certain therapeutic effect on infantile summer fever.

3. Heat Stroke Precursor

In a high-temperature environment, if the human body shows symptoms such as dizziness, headache, thirst, nausea, chest tightness, fatigue, etc., which are the precursor symptoms of heatstroke, Xinjia Xiangru Decoction can also be used as a prescription for prevention and treatment. It can promptly dispel pathogenic factors of dampness and heat, relieve physical discomfort, and prevent the condition from further developing into heatstroke.

VII. Modified Xinjia Xiangru Decoction

1. If high fever with sweating due to prevalent heat rash

Gypsum Fibrosum and Anemarrhena Rhizome can be added to enhance the effect of clearing heat and purging fire. Gypsum Fibrosum is pungent and sweet in flavor, extremely cold in nature, and can clear heat and purge fire, remove vexation and relieve thirst; Anemarrhena Rhizome is bitter and sweet in flavor, cold in nature, and can clear heat and purge fire, nourish yin and moisten dryness. When combined with the original prescription drugs, they can effectively clear away pathogenic factors of heat and dampness and relieve symptoms such as high fever and profuse sweating.

2. When Dampness is severe

Agastache Rugosa, Pogostemon Cablin, Atractylodes Lancea, etc. can be added to strengthen the effect of promoting qi movement to eliminate dampness and regulating the middle-jiao. Agastache Rugosa is pungent in flavor, slightly warm in nature, and belongs to the spleen, stomach, and lung meridians. It can aromatically transform dampness, harmonize the middle-jiao to stop vomiting, and induce sweating to relieve exterior syndrome; Pogostemon Cablin is pungent in flavor, neutral in nature, and belongs to the spleen, stomach, and lung meridians. It can transform dampness and relieve exterior syndrome; Atractylodes Lancea is pungent and bitter in flavor, warm in nature, and belongs to the spleen, stomach, and liver meridians. It can dry dampness and strengthen the spleen, dispel wind and cold. After adding these drugs, it can better deal with the situation of excessive dampness pathogen and relieve symptoms such as chest tightness, abdominal distension, vomiting, and diarrhea.

3. If accompanied by restlessness

Coptis Chinensis and Phyllostachys Nigra Leaves can be added to clear the heart and remove vexation. Coptis Chinensis is bitter in flavor, cold in nature, and belongs to the heart, spleen, stomach, liver, gallbladder, and large intestine meridians. It can clear heat and dry dampness, purge fire and detoxify; Phyllostachys Nigra Leaves are sweet, pungent, and light in flavor, cold in nature, and belong to the heart, stomach, and small intestine meridians. It can clear heat and remove vexation, promote the production of body fluid and induce diuresis. When the two are used together, it can enhance the effect of clearing the heart and removing vexation and relieve symptoms of restlessness and thirst.

VIII. Dosage and Administration

1. Traditional Methods

Mosla Chinensis 2 qian (6g), Flos Lonicerae 3 qian (9g), Flos Phaseoli 3 qian (9g), Magnolia Officinalis 2 qian (6g), Forsythia Suspensa 2 qian (6g). Use five cups of water to decoct and obtain two cups. Take one cup first. If sweating stops, stop taking the rest. If no sweating occurs, take the remaining dose. If no sweating occurs after taking all the doses, decoct and take again. For the traditional decoction method, attention should be paid to the fire intensity and time. Generally, first use strong fire to boil the water, and then change to slow fire to simmer slowly to ensure that the effective components of the drugs are fully decocted.

2. Modern Concentrated Granules

In the modern market, there are concentrated granules of Xinjia Xiangru Decoction, and its administration method is more convenient. Generally, just take it according to the dosage specified in the instructions. Modern concentrated granules are convenient to carry and take, suitable for the modern fast-paced lifestyle, but their efficacy is basically the same as that of traditional decoctions.

IX. Precautions and Contraindications

1. Dietary Taboos

During the period of taking Xinjia Xiangru Decoction, it is necessary to avoid eating stimulating foods such as raw and cold, greasy, and spicy foods. Raw and cold foods are likely to damage the yang qi of the spleen and stomach and affect the transportation and absorption of drugs; greasy foods are not easy to digest and will increase the burden on the spleen and stomach; spicy foods are likely to help generate fire and heat, conflicting with the efficacy of clearing heat and transforming dampness of the prescription and being unfavorable for the recovery of the condition.

2. Special Populations

Pregnant women should use Xinjia Xiangru Decoction with caution. Since most of the drugs in the prescription are pungent and dispersing substances, they may have a certain impact on the fetus. The elderly, the weak, and those with deficiency-cold of the spleen and stomach should also use it with caution. For such people with insufficient healthy qi, the pungent and dispersing power of Xinjia Xiangru Decoction may further damage the healthy qi and lead to aggravation of physical discomfort.

3. Disease Observation

During the process of taking Xinjia Xiangru Yin, the changes in the condition should be closely observed. If the symptoms do not improve or worsen after taking the medicine, such as continuous fever, aggravated vomiting and diarrhea, etc., medical treatment should be sought in a timely manner and the treatment plan should be adjusted. At the same time, pay attention to observing the reactions after taking the medicine, such as whether sweating occurs and whether there are other discomforts, etc., so as to feedback to the doctor in time and adjust the medication.

X. Modern Research Progress

1. Pharmacological Research

Modern pharmacological research shows that the drugs in Xinjia Xiangru Yin have various pharmacological effects. Mosla chinensis Maxim. has antibacterial, antiviral, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and other effects; Flos Lonicerae, Fructus Forsythiae have significant antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and other effects; Magnolia officinalis Rehd. et Wils. has a regulatory effect on the gastrointestinal tract, can promote gastrointestinal peristalsis and enhance digestive function; Dolichos lablab L. contains various nutritional components and has a certain immunomodulatory effect. These pharmacological effects together provide a theoretical basis for Xinjia Xiangru Yin to treat syndromes such as epidemic warm disease with dampness in summer.

2. Clinical Research

In recent years, there have been many clinical research reports on Xinjia Xiangru Yin. Some studies show that Xinjia Xiangru Yin has good curative effects in treating summer colds, infantile summer fever and other diseases. Through the observation of patients' symptoms, signs and laboratory indicators, it is found that after taking Xinjia Xiangru Yin, the symptoms such as fever, aversion to cold, headache, chest distress, etc. of patients are significantly improved, the body temperature returns to normal, and the inflammatory indicators in the body also decrease. These clinical studies further verify the effectiveness and safety of Xinjia Xiangru Yin and provide strong support for its wide application in clinical practice.

3. Dosage Form Improvement Research

With the development of modern technology, the research on the dosage form improvement of Xinjia Xiangru Yin is also constantly carried out. In addition to modern concentrated granules, some people have also tried to make it into dosage forms such as oral liquid and capsules. These new dosage forms have the advantages of convenient taking, accurate dosage, easy storage, etc. on the basis of maintaining the original efficacy of the prescription, and are more in line with the needs of modern clinical practice and patients, opening up new ways for the application and promotion of Xinjia Xiangru Yin.

According to the basic theory of traditional Chinese medicine, when summer injures summerheat-dampness or exogenous wind-cold complicated with internal injury of dampness stagnation, patients often have discomforts such as colds and thirst. Xinjia Xiangru Yin is made by adding flavors to Xiangru Yin and mainly contains drugs such as Mosla chinensis Maxim., Magnolia officinalis Rehd. et Wils., Flos Dolichoris, etc. This prescription has the effects of dispelling summerheat and relieving the exterior, regulating qi and harmonizing the middle, clearing heat and resolving dampness, relieving the exterior and resolving dampness, and is especially suitable for gastrointestinal colds. In clinical syndrome differentiation, the tongue coating of patients is mostly white. If you need to further understand or consult the application of this prescription, you are welcome to contact us by phone, email or visit the address.