FORMULA FOR "ANGER ILLNESS"

ZHU RU WEN DAN TANG (Bamboo Decoction to Warm the

Gallbladder)
6g  Chai Hu  (Bupleuri Rx.) 
6g  Fu Ling  (Poria)
6g  Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rz. Preparatum)
4g  Chen Pi  (Citri Reticulatae Peri)
4g  Jie Geng  (Platycodi Rx.)
4g  Xiang Fu  (Cyperi Rz.)
4g  Zhu Ru  (Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam)
2g  Ren Shen  (Ginseng Rx.)
2g  Huang Lian  (Coptidis Rz.)
4g  Zhi Shi  (Aurantii Fr. Immaturus)
2g  Gan Cao  (Glycyrrhizae Rx.)
4g  Da Zao  (Jujubae Fr.)
4g  Sheng Jiang  (Zingiberis Rz.)

CLASSIC SOURCE: 
Zhu Ru Wen Dan Tang (Restrain the Liver Powder) is from Wen Bing Hui
Chun (Restoration of Health from the Myriad Diseases) by Gong Ting-Xian in
1587, (Ming dynasty).  Wen Bing Hui Chun is composed of 8 books total. 
Book 1 includes herbal songs, body types, Zang Fu and the Meridians.  Books
2-8 include patterns and treatments for various diseases.  Gong Ting-Xian
added his interpretation for many previous herbalists and acupuncturists
throughout history including Huang Di, Zhu Dan Xi and Li Dong Yuen, etc.

INTERPRETATION:

BY FORUMULAS 
Zhu Ru Wen Dan Tang is one of my favorite Wen Dan Tang variations.  It has
the idea of Wen Dan Tang (Zhu Ru, Zhi Shi, Ban Xia, Chen Pi); Er Chen
Tang (Ban Xia, Chen Pi, Fu Ling); Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Chai Hu,Huang
Qin, Ren Shen); and Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang (Ban Xia, Huang Lian,Ren
Shen), Xiang Su San (Xiang Fu, Chen Pi).  

BY HERBS
GB/LV herbs: Chai Hu & Xiang Fu regulate LV and GB
HT herb:  Huang Lian clears HT heat
Phlegm herbs: Zhu Ru clears GB heat, Ban Xia regulates ST Qi, Ji
Gengrelieves chest congestion
Qi herbs: Zhi Shi, Chen Pi remove the Qi stagnation
Tonic herbs:  Ren Shen and Fu Ling strengthen SP Qi
Harmonizing herbs:  Gan Cao, Sheng Jiang, Da Zao harmonize the ST and
the Ying & Wei
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:
1. Chest discomfort
2. Chubby or overweight
3. Hypochondriac fullness and pain
4. Dry tongue, slippery pulse
5. Neurasthenia, anger, anxiety, depressed mood, cough, dry throat
6. Insomnia, possibly slight cough.  

ABDOMINAL DIAGNOSIS: 
Abdominal palpation for Zhu Ru Wen Dan Tang is very similar to Da Chai Hu
Tang.  Abdomen can be chubby; can be tender below both ribs,  xiphoid
process and chest. 

CLINICAL APPLICATION FOR MODERN PRACTICE:

1. Neurasthenia:  this is a psycho-pathological term first used by George
Miller Beard during 1869 and it is currently a diagnosis in the WHO's
International Classification of Disease.  The symptoms include fatigue,
anxiety, headache, impotence, neuralgia and depressed mood.
2. Hwabyung (Anger illness):  a wide range of physical symptoms in
response to emotional disturbance, such as stress from troublesome
interpersonal relationships or life crises.  
3. Alcoholism:  alcohol is a potent CNS depressant with a range of side
effects.  Alcoholism as a kind of umbrella term can cover addiction, alcohol
related diseases, dependence, intoxication and symptoms of withdrawal.  
4. Insomnia: with neurasthenia, hwabyung, alcoholism; with dry throat and 
chest discomfort; with chronic cough or hypertension; with lung or breast
cancer

MODIFICATIONS:
Mai Men Dong can be added to this formula in general.  It clears heat,
relieves irritability and generates fluids.  For severe thirst, 15-20g of Shi
Gao can be added.  Ban Xia, Mai Men Dong and Shi Gao together can
effectively descend heat.  Gou Teng San uses this combination.

ACUPUNCTURE POINTS:
For major skeletal treatments, the best Gate Opening prescription isHT7 +
GB40.  By TCM point indication, compatible points for this this formula
are HT8, ST40, GB40 (accumulation of heat & phlegm in the HT &
GB); HT7, SP6, Anmian (insomnia, fear, fright, fluid
damage); PC6,RN17 (palpitations, chest discomfort)