Wu Yao Shun Qi San

Wu Yao Shun Qi San (乌药顺气散) is a classic formula from the Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang, centered on dispersing wind, regulating qi and stopping pain for all wind qi attacking the four limbs, joint pain, generalized numbness, dizziness and vertigo, paralysis and difficult speech. Wu Yao San mostly warms the center and stops pain, leaning to cold congealing with qi stagnation. Shun Qi Tang mostly regulates qi and descends counterflow, leaning to impaired qi dynamic. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Wu Yao Shun Qi San. Contraindicated in pregnancy.

Classic composition: Ma Huang (root and nodes removed), Chen Pi, Wu Yao each 60 g; Bai Jiang Can, Chuan Xiong, Zhi Qiao, Gan Cao, Bai Zhi, Jie Geng each 30 g; Gan Jiang (blast-fried) 15 g. It acts to disperse wind, regulate qi and stop pain. It is used for wind qi attacking the four limbs with joint pain, generalized numbness, dizziness and vertigo, paralysis, difficult speech, sinew and vessel contraction, and difficult walking from foot qi. Wu Yao regulates qi and stops pain; Ma Huang, Chen Pi and Jiang Can dispel wind; Chuan Xiong and Bai Zhi move blood; Zhi Qiao and Jie Geng regulate qi; Gan Jiang warms the center.

Wu Yao is wood-removed; Jiang Can is stir-fried; Zhi Qiao is bran-fried; Gan Jiang is blast-fried. Wu Yao San leans to warming the center; it cannot replace dispersing wind and regulating qi by equal weight. Commercial products follow regulated compounding; do not self-modify.