si mo tang

Four Milled Herb Decoction

About si mo tang

Si Mo Tang, Four Milled Herb Decoction, is Ren Shen, Bing Lang, Chen Xiang and Wu Yao — ground rather than decocted, as the name says. The catalogue classes it among the formulas that direct rebellious Qi downward, and records it as moving Qi and opening the chest.

Ingredients

HerbAmount
ren shen3 g
bing lang9 g
chen xiang3 g
wu yao9 g

Actions and indications

Moves Qi and relieves stagnation

  • Liver Qi knotted by strong emotion rebels upward into the Lungs and Stomach, with Qi clumping in the chest
  • Comes on suddenly after an emotional trigger, in a person whose constitution is not markedly deficient
  • Stifling oppression, fullness and irritability in the chest and diaphragm
  • Tongue normal with a white coat; pulse wiry

Directs rebellious Qi downward and opens the chest

  • Laboured, hurried breathing or wheezing, as if the breath were about to give out
  • Fullness, distention or pain of the epigastrium and abdomen, poor appetite, and at times vomiting after meals

Modern uses

  • Bronchial asthma
  • COPD
  • Emphysema
  • Anxiety-related breathlessness
  • Gastritis
  • Functional dyspepsia
  • Indigestion
  • Anorexia
  • Post-surgical adhesions
  • Gynecomastia
  • Globus hystericus

Symptoms

Modifications

Cautions

Preparation

Traditionally each herb is ground in water to a thick liquid, then the four are combined and briefly boiled; now usually a standard decoction with Chen Xiang added near the end

Names

Pinyinsi mo tang
English NameFour Milled Herb Decoction

Classification