烏梅 for liver fire
TCM Explanation of the Formula: 烏梅 (Wu Mei), 甘草 (Gan Cao), 陈皮 (Chen Pi)
This is a harmonizing and regulating formula mainly used to soothe the digestive system, regulate Qi, and protect the middle burner (Spleen & Stomach).
1. 烏梅 (Wu Mei – Smoked Plum)
Nature & Taste: Sour, astringent, slightly warm
Meridians: Liver, Spleen, Lung, Large Intestine
Main Functions:
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Astringes leakage (stops chronic diarrhea, excessive sweating)
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Generates fluids and relieves thirst
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Calms the Liver and alleviates abdominal pain
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Counteracts toxins and parasites (classical use)
Role in Formula:
Acts as the astringent anchor, preventing excessive loss of fluids and calming spasms or cramping in the intestines.
2. 甘草 (Gan Cao – Licorice Root)
Nature & Taste: Sweet, neutral
Meridians: Heart, Lung, Spleen, Stomach
Main Functions:
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Tonifies Spleen Qi
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Harmonizes other herbs
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Relieves spasms and pain
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Clears mild heat and detoxifies
Role in Formula:
Serves as the harmonizer, reducing harshness, protecting the stomach lining, and easing cramping or discomfort.
3. 陈皮 (Chen Pi – Aged Tangerine Peel)
Nature & Taste: Bitter, pungent, warm
Meridians: Lung, Spleen
Main Functions:
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Regulates Qi
-
Dries dampness
-
Strengthens the Spleen
-
Reduces bloating and phlegm
Role in Formula:
Acts as the Qi regulator, preventing stagnation from sour and sweet herbs, reducing bloating, gas, and fullness.
Overall Formula Action (Synergy)
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Sour (Wu Mei) astringes and stabilizes
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Sweet (Gan Cao) tonifies and harmonizes
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Pungent & Bitter (Chen Pi) moves Qi and prevents stagnation
Together, the formula:
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Regulates Spleen–Stomach Qi
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Stops chronic diarrhea or loose stools
-
Relieves abdominal cramping
-
Reduces bloating and digestive discomfort
-
Protects the gut from both deficiency and stagnation
Common TCM Indications
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Chronic diarrhea with fatigue
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Abdominal pain relieved by warmth
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Poor appetite, bloating, gas
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Post-illness digestive weakness
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Children or elderly with sensitive digestion
TCM Pattern Addressed
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Spleen Qi deficiency with Qi stagnation
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Intestinal instability with fluid loss
This is a gentle, balanced formula, suitable for long-term regulation rather than acute excess conditions.
烏梅 5pcs, 桂圆8pcs,红枣6 pcs, ginger 2 slices
TCM Explanation of the Formula:
烏梅 (Wu Mei) 5 pcs, 桂圆 (Gui Yuan) 8 pcs, 红枣 (Hong Zao) 6 pcs, 生姜 (Ginger) 2 slices
This is a warming, nourishing, and astringing herbal drink commonly used as a daily tonic to support Qi, Blood, fluids, and digestion, especially for people with deficiency and cold patterns.
Individual Herb Functions
1. 烏梅 (Wu Mei – Smoked Plum) | 5 pcs
Nature & Taste: Sour, astringent, slightly warm
Meridians: Liver, Spleen, Lung, Large Intestine
Functions:
-
Astringes intestines → stops chronic loose stools
-
Generates fluids → relieves thirst
-
Calms abdominal spasms
-
Stabilizes digestion weakened by deficiency
Formula Role:
Acts as the astringent stabilizer, preventing excessive loss of fluids and Qi.
2. 桂圆 (Gui Yuan – Longan Fruit) | 8 pcs
Nature & Taste: Sweet, warm
Meridians: Heart, Spleen
Functions:
-
Tonifies Blood and Qi
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Nourishes Heart → improves sleep, calms anxiety
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Strengthens Spleen digestion
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Helps recovery from fatigue or overwork
Formula Role:
The main nourishing herb, replenishing Qi and Blood to support recovery and vitality.
3. 红枣 (Hong Zao – Red Date / Jujube) | 6 pcs
Nature & Taste: Sweet, warm
Meridians: Spleen, Stomach
Functions:
-
Tonifies Spleen Qi
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Nourishes Blood
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Harmonizes other herbs
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Reduces digestive irritation
Formula Role:
Acts as the harmonizer and mild tonic, supporting digestion and moderating sourness from Wu Mei.
4. 生姜 (Sheng Jiang – Fresh Ginger) | 2 slices
Nature & Taste: Pungent, slightly warm
Meridians: Lung, Spleen, Stomach
Functions:
-
Warms the middle burner
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Dispels cold from the stomach
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Stops nausea
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Enhances digestion
Formula Role:
The warming activator, ensuring smooth digestion and preventing stagnation from sweet, nourishing herbs.
Overall Formula Action (Synergy)
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Sour (Wu Mei) → astringes, stabilizes, preserves fluids
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Sweet (Gui Yuan, Hong Zao) → tonifies Qi & Blood, nourishes
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Pungent & Warm (Ginger) → warms digestion, moves Qi
Together, the formula:
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Strengthens Spleen & Stomach
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Nourishes Qi and Blood
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Stops chronic loose stools
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Relieves cold-related abdominal discomfort
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Supports recovery from fatigue and weakness
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Gently calms the mind
TCM Pattern This Formula Suits
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Spleen Qi deficiency
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Qi & Blood deficiency
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Cold in the middle burner
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Post-illness weakness
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Poor appetite, fatigue, pale complexion
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Loose stools worse with cold food
When This Formula Is NOT Suitable
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Strong internal heat (fever, sore throat, yellow phlegm)
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Damp-heat diarrhea
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Severe constipation
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Active infections
Nature of the Formula
This is a mild food-therapy formula, safe for daily or short-term use, often taken as a warm tea or decoction.
The formula balances astringing + nourishing + warming, making it especially suitable for people who feel cold, tired, weak, or easily depleted.
烏梅 5pcs, 麦冬 8g, fresh 百合, 玉竹 5g
TCM Explanation of the Formula:
烏梅 (Wu Mei) 5 pcs, 麦冬 (Mai Dong) 8 g, 鲜百合 (Fresh Bai He), 玉竹 (Yu Zhu) 5 g
This is a cooling, Yin-nourishing, and fluid-generating formula designed to moisten dryness, preserve body fluids, and gently calm internal heat caused by Yin deficiency.
Individual Herb Functions
1. 烏梅 (Wu Mei – Smoked Plum) | 5 pcs
Nature & Taste: Sour, astringent, slightly warm
Meridians: Liver, Spleen, Lung, Large Intestine
Functions:
-
Astringes Lung and Intestines
-
Preserves fluids and stops excessive loss
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Relieves chronic cough or thirst
-
Stabilizes digestion
Formula Role:
Acts as the astringent anchor, preventing the nourishing herbs from being overly dispersing and helping retain fluids.
2. 麦冬 (Mai Dong – Ophiopogon Root) | 8 g
Nature & Taste: Sweet, slightly bitter, cold
Meridians: Heart, Lung, Stomach
Functions:
-
Nourishes Lung and Stomach Yin
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Clears deficiency heat
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Generates fluids
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Relieves dry cough and dry mouth
Formula Role:
The primary Yin-tonifying and moistening herb, addressing dryness and internal heat.
3. 鲜百合 (Fresh Bai He – Lily Bulb)
Nature & Taste: Sweet, slightly bitter, cool
Meridians: Heart, Lung
Functions:
-
Moistens Lung dryness
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Clears residual heat
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Calms the Shen (spirit)
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Relieves irritability and mild insomnia
Formula Role:
Supports Lung Yin while also calming emotional restlessness linked to Yin deficiency.
4. 玉竹 (Yu Zhu – Polygonatum Root) | 5 g
Nature & Taste: Sweet, slightly cold
Meridians: Lung, Stomach
Functions:
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Nourishes Yin without being cloying
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Generates fluids
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Relieves fatigue with dryness
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Benefits chronic dry cough and thirst
Formula Role:
Provides gentle, long-term Yin nourishment, especially for Stomach and Lung dryness.
Overall Formula Action (Synergy)
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Sour (Wu Mei) → astringes and preserves fluids
-
Sweet & Cool (Mai Dong, Bai He, Yu Zhu) → nourish Yin, moisten dryness
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Cold-cool balance → clears deficiency heat without damaging digestion
Together, the formula:
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Nourishes Lung & Stomach Yin
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Relieves dry throat, dry cough, thirst
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Calms deficiency-related irritability
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Supports recovery from prolonged illness or overuse of voice
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Gently cools without being overly cold
TCM Pattern This Formula Addresses
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Yin deficiency with dryness
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Deficiency heat
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Lung-Stomach fluid depletion
Typical signs include:
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Dry mouth or throat (worse at night)
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Dry cough with little phlegm
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Hoarse voice
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Irritability, light insomnia
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Fatigue with dryness rather than cold
Nature of the Formula
This is a gentle nourishing and moisturizing formula, often used as a herbal soup or tea for regulation rather than acute illness.
It is especially suitable for people who experience internal dryness, heat, or fluid depletion, such as after fever, long-term stress, or chronic dryness.
TCM Explanation of the Formula:
烏梅 (Wu Mei) 4 pcs, 炒山楂 (Chao Shan Zha) 6 g, 陈皮 (Chen Pi) 3 g, 茯苓 (Fu Ling) 8 g
This is a digestive-regulating, damp-resolving, and mild astringing formula used to improve food digestion, transform dampness, and stabilize the intestines without being harsh.
Individual Herb Functions
1. 烏梅 (Wu Mei – Smoked Plum) | 4 pcs
Nature & Taste: Sour, astringent, slightly warm
Meridians: Liver, Spleen, Lung, Large Intestine
Functions:
-
Astringes intestines
-
Preserves fluids
-
Relieves abdominal cramping
-
Stabilizes digestion after diarrhea
Formula Role:
Acts as the astringent stabilizer, preventing excessive bowel movement and fluid loss.
2. 炒山楂 (Chao Shan Zha – Dry-Fried Hawthorn Fruit) | 6 g
Nature & Taste: Sour, sweet, slightly warm
Meridians: Spleen, Stomach, Liver
Functions:
-
Strongly improves digestion, especially meat and greasy food
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Moves blood and reduces food stagnation
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Dry-frying moderates harshness and protects the stomach
Formula Role:
The primary food-digestion herb, breaking down stagnation without damaging Spleen Qi.
3. 陈皮 (Chen Pi – Aged Tangerine Peel) | 3 g
Nature & Taste: Bitter, pungent, warm
Meridians: Lung, Spleen
Functions:
-
Regulates Qi
-
Dries dampness
-
Relieves bloating and fullness
-
Prevents cloying from food stagnation herbs
Formula Role:
Acts as the Qi mover, ensuring smooth digestive flow.
4. 茯苓 (Fu Ling – Poria) | 8 g
Nature & Taste: Sweet, bland, neutral
Meridians: Heart, Spleen, Kidney
Functions:
-
Strengthens Spleen
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Drains dampness
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Supports digestion without drying
-
Calms the mind mildly
Formula Role:
Provides foundation support to the Spleen, preventing weakness from repeated digestive issues.
Overall Formula Action (Synergy)
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Sour (Wu Mei, Shan Zha) → stabilizes intestines, aids digestion
-
Warm & Pungent (Chen Pi) → moves Qi, relieves bloating
-
Sweet & Bland (Fu Ling) → strengthens Spleen, drains dampness
Together, the formula:
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Resolves food stagnation
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Improves poor appetite
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Reduces bloating and heaviness
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Stops loose stools caused by overeating
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Supports weak digestion without being aggressive
TCM Pattern This Formula Addresses
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Food stagnation with dampness
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Spleen Qi weakness
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Post-overeating discomfort
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Recurrent bloating with loose stools
Nature of the Formula
This is a balanced digestive-regulation formula, suitable for short-term use or occasional regulation after heavy meals.
It works best when digestive discomfort is mild to moderate and related to dietary overload rather than acute infection or heat.
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