Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang: Calming Liver Wind and Restoring Balance
Hongji Medical- 19 hours ago
- 4 min read
In Chinese medicine, Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang stands out for its remarkable effectiveness and unique formula, making it a key treatment for stroke-like conditions. It not only calms internal wind but also nourishes the liver and kidneys, balances yin and yang, and offers new hope to stroke patients.
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang comes from the late Qing and early Republic era physician Zhang Xichun’s book Yixue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu (Records of Integrating Chinese and Western Medicine), one of his signature formulas. This book blends Chinese and Western medical theories, showcasing Zhang’s innovative ideas.
Historically, Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang was used to treat stroke-like conditions caused by liver and kidney yin deficiency, excessive liver yang, and internal liver wind.
Formula Explanation of Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang is carefully crafted, following the Chinese medicine principle of “monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy”:
Monarch Herbs: Huai Niu Xi, Sheng Zhe Shi, Sheng Long Gu, Sheng Mu Li, Sheng Gui Ban. Huai Niu Xi directs blood downward and promotes circulation; Sheng Zhe Shi calms rebellion and suppresses liver wind; Sheng Long Gu and Sheng Mu Li stabilize the mind and subdue yang; Sheng Gui Ban nourishes yin, subdues yang, and softens hardness.
Supporting Herbs: Sheng Hang Shao, Xuan Shen, Tian Dong. Sheng Hang Shao nourishes blood, softens the liver, and relieves pain; Xuan Shen nourishes yin, reduces heat, and clears toxins; Tian Dong nourishes yin, moistens dryness, and clears heat.
Assistant Herbs: Chuan Lian Zi, Sheng Mai Ya, Yin Chen. Chuan Lian Zi soothes the liver, regulates qi, and relieves pain; Sheng Mai Ya soothes the liver, supports digestion, and clears stagnation; Yin Chen clears heat, resolves dampness, and reduces jaundice.
Envoy Herb: Gan Cao. Gan Cao harmonizes the formula and relieves pain.
Pathogenesis Analysis of Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang targets the pathogenesis of liver and kidney yin deficiency leading to excessive liver yang, which triggers internal liver wind, disrupts qi and blood, and affects the head.
Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency
Chronic fatigue, emotional stress, or prolonged illness can deplete liver and kidney yin. The liver stores blood, and the kidneys store essence, which are interconnected. When yin is deficient, it fails to anchor liver yang, causing an imbalance of yin and yang.
Excessive Liver Yang
The liver relies on yin for its function but expresses yang energy. Normally, liver qi flows smoothly, regulating the body’s energy. However, when liver and kidney yin are deficient, yin cannot control yang, leading to excessive liver yang rising upward. This causes dizziness, flushed face, ringing ears, and irritability.
Internal Liver Wind
Prolonged excessive liver yang can transform into wind, triggering internal liver wind. This leads to trembling limbs, spasms, convulsions, or even sudden fainting. Wind’s nature is to move rapidly and change, easily disrupting qi and blood, making the condition complex and variable.
Main Effects of Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang is primarily used to treat stroke-like conditions, with symptoms including:
Dizziness and ringing in the ears
Burning head pain and flushed face
Irritability and heat in the chest
Frequent belching
Gradual limb weakness or facial asymmetry
Severe dizziness, fainting, or inability to fully recover after waking
Long, forceful, wiry pulse
The formula offers the following key effects:
Calming Liver Wind: Suppresses excessive liver yang and clears wind, relieving dizziness and other symptoms.
Nourishing Yin and Subduing Yang: Replenishes liver and kidney yin to anchor yang, restoring yin-yang balance.
Why include herbs to soothe the liver and regulate qi when treating excessive liver yang and wind? The liver, likened to a general, is strong and thrives on smooth, upward movement but dislikes suppression.
Overusing heavy, suppressing herbs to force liver yang downward can stifle the liver’s natural flow, causing stagnation and worsening rebellion. Herbs that soothe the liver and regulate qi support its natural flow, preventing stagnation and allowing liver yang to settle more easily.
Modern Applications
Modern research shows Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang is effective for conditions like hypertension, cerebral thrombosis, cerebral hemorrhage, and vascular headaches. It can be used to treat:
Hypertension
Cerebral thrombosis
Cerebral hemorrhage
Vascular headaches
Precautions
When using Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang, keep the following in mind:
Pattern Differentiation: Chinese medicine emphasizes pattern-based treatment. Consult a Chinese medicine practitioner to confirm suitability, focusing on symptoms like dizziness, burning head pain, flushed face, and a wiry, forceful pulse.
Not Suitable for Certain Strokes: Avoid using for strokes caused by qi deficiency or blood stasis.
Use with Caution: The formula contains heavy, suppressing herbs, which should not be taken long-term to avoid harming the stomach.
Dietary Guidelines: Maintain a light diet, avoiding spicy or stimulating foods.
Lifestyle Adjustments: Stay calm, avoid emotional stress, and balance rest and activity to support treatment.
Complementary Therapies: Combine with acupuncture or massage to enhance effectiveness.
Monitor Blood Pressure: Regularly check blood pressure during treatment to track changes.
Conclusion
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang, a classic formula from Yixue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu, perfectly embodies Chinese medicine’s principle of balancing yin and yang. It calms excessive yang and internal wind while nourishing the liver and kidneys with gentle herbs. This approach not only relieves symptoms but also improves overall health, enhancing the body’s self-regulation for lasting wellness. With its unique philosophy and proven clinical results, it remains a vital tool in treating stroke-like conditions and other disorders related to excessive liver yang, showcasing the profound wisdom of Chinese medicine.
