Formulas that Release the Exterior

Functions:
These formulae are diaphoretics (ie/ promote sweating). They release exterior pathogens and vent rashes.

Indications:

• invasion of external pathogens (wind-cold, wind-heat, wind damp)
• chills, fever, headache, body ache, runny nose, stuffed up nose, sore throat, cough, fatigue, superficial pulse
• can also be used for early stages of rashes, measles, sores, edema, malaria

Rx Summary:

 Wind-Cold
        mild:         Cong Ci Tang
        moderate: Jing Fang Bai Du San
        severe
               XS:      Ma Huang Tang
               Xu:      Gui Zhi Tang

       W-C + interior heat in LU    --> Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang
       W-C + interior cold-phlegm --> Xiao Qing Long Tang
       W-C  causing headaches       --> Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
       W-C  in the summer              --> Xiang Ru San

Wind-Cold-Damp

       W-C-D + head/body ache     --> Jia Wei Qian Huo Tang
       W-C-D + cough & wheeze    --> Ma Xing Yi Gan Tang
       W-C-D + Bi Pain                   --> Ma Huang Jia Zhu Tang

Wind-Heat

       W-H - whole body                 --> Yin Qiao San
       W-H - upper respiratory       --> Sang Ju Yin
       W-H - lower respiratory       --> Yin Qiao Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang

Wind
       W causing eczema               --> Xiao Feng San

Tonify & Release Exterior

       RE w Yang Xu                     --> Zai Zao San
       RE w Qi Xu                         --> Ren Shen Bai Du San
       RE w Yin Xu                       --> Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang
       RE w Blood Xu                   --> Cong Bai Qi Wei Yin

TE5 Wai Guan / Outer Pass

5th point of Hand Shao Yang Meridian

Nature:
Luo-connecting; Confluent with YangWei

Location:
On the posterior aspect of the forearm,
midpoint of the interosseous space between
the radius and the ulna, 2 cun proximal
to the dorsal wrist crease.


Functions:

1. Dispel Heat and release exterior

• for fever, headache, red eyes and thirst due to exterior Wind-Heat
• combine with DU14, LI11, LI4

2. Regulate SanJiao, clear internal Heat and stop pain

• for migraine, hypochonriac pain, painful ears, red eyes, deafness, tinnitus due to Wind-Heat, XS Heat or Damp-Heat in LR & GB meridians
• headache/migraine due to LR Qi stagnation (temporal)
• also dispel pathogens from exterior for common-cold and seasonal allergies
• combine with GB41(Confluent with Dai) for ShaoYang disorders

3. Activate the collaterals and open meridians

• for paralysis, limited movement of arm, pain & swelling of wrist/elbow/shoulder
• Migraine!
• combine with GB8 for fast relief of migraine pain (temporal)

SI3 Hou Xi / Back Stream

The 3rd point of the Hand Tai Yang meridian



Nature:
Shu- Stream; Wood; Mother; Confluent with Du


Location:
on the ulnar side of the hand, proximal of the metacarpophalangeal joint, at the junction between palm and dorsum of hand







Functions:
1. clear heat and release the exterior

• for heat due to external pathogen (fever, febrile diseases, malaria) and internal heat
• combine with DU14

2. regulate the Du meridian, restore consciousness

• SI3 (Confluent with Du) is part of confluent pair with BL62 (Confluent with Yang Qiao) - used together to balance Yin/Yang in body
• combine with BL62 for illness of inner canthus, neck, ear, shoulder, back

      
3. activate collaterals and stop pain

• headaches!  especially those in the occiput/neck region; treats Du meridian on the neck therefore good for acute neck problems (stiffness, pain, spasm/torticollis); weaker but works on the lower back as well; also arm pain and finger numbness
•  combine with LU7 & BL10 for headache

4. consolidate body surface & stop sweating

• for night sweats (Yin Xu+Yang XS); hot flashes; 5 palm heat
• combine with HR6

5. clear heat from head and eyes

• red eyes, sore throat, swelling of the cheek due to Wind-Heat