|
1) Principal (chief) Herb : main herb in the
prescription, which is directed against and has the most effect on the
causes or the main symptons.
|
| 2) Adjuvant Herb : either
aides the principal herb in treating symptoms or serves as the main
ingredient directed against coexisting symptons. |
| 3) Assistant Herb :
3 different functions. |
| - For treating the
accompanying disease or syndromes. |
| - To counter the potent
side effects or toxicity of the principal and adjuvant herb. |
| - To produce a
supplementary effect in the treatment and to be used in complex
disorders. |
| 4) Guide Herb : |
| - For leading the effects
of other drugs to the affected sites. |
| - To balance the action of
other herbs in the prescription. |
| EXAMPLE : |
| Four Gentleman Decoction (Si
ju zi tang) |
| Indication : spleen
and stomach qi deficiency, pale face, low voice, fatigue, poor appetitie,
diarrhea, pale tongue, feeble and weak pulse. |
| Action : to tonify
qi and strengthening the spleen |
|
| Radix Ginseng (Ren shen) |
10g |
| Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephalae
(Bai Shu) |
9g |
| Poria (Fu ling) |
9g |
| Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata (Gan
cao),
Licorice |
6g |
|
| Herbs and Action : |
| 1. Principal :
Ginseng, to tonify the qi of the spleen and stomach strengthen the
spleen. |
| 2. Adjuvant : Bai
zhu, to eliminate dampness. |
| 3. Assistant : Poria,
strenghten spleen and stop diarrhea. |
| 4. Guide : Licorice,
to harmonise action of the other herbs. |
