Bi Qui Tang Jia Jian

This formula is a modification of Bi Qiu Tang (Sniveling Nose Decoction) created by Dr. Wei Zizhang of the Guangxi College of Chinese Medicine First Affiliated Hospital. Gan Jiang (Dry Rhizoma Zingiberis) has been substituted for Xi Xin (Herba Asari Cum Radice) due to Xi Xin’s containign aristolochic acid, and Dr. Wei’s optional ingredients have been added for both clear, runny nose and stuffed nose. Our version is a 9:1 extract in a glycerine tincture to make it easy to administer to children.

Rx
Huang Qi (Radix Astragali)                                     17 mg
Yi Yi Ren (Semen Coicis)                                         17 mg
Shan Yao (Radix Dioscoreae)                                 17 mg
Dang Shen (Radix Codonopsitis)                            17 mg
Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae)      12 mg
Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae)                         12 mg
Jing Jie (Herba Schizonepetae)                              12 mg
Jie Geng (Radix Platycodi)                                      12 mg
He Zi (Fructus Terminaliae Chebulae)                    12 mg
Xin Yi Hua (Flos Magnoliae)                                    12 mg
Bo He (Herba Menthae Haplocalycis)                     12 mg
Ze Xie (Rhizoma Alismatis)                                     12 mg
Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae)                           12 mg
Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae)                                 12 mg
Chan Tui (Periostracum Cicadae)                             6 mg
Gan Jiang (dry Rhizoma Zingiberis)                          6 mg

Indications
The remedial treatment of acute episodes of allergic rhinitis characterized by clear, runny, itchy nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing due to wind evils taking advantage of defensive qi not securing in turn due spleen (and possibly kidney) vacuity with deep-lying phlegm rheum.

Contraindications
This formula is not for the treatment of wind heat or liver-gallbladder damp heat sinusitis. For that, consider using our Perilla & Mentha formula.

The signs and symptoms of wind cold allergic rhinitis include

• Episodic or seasonal sneezing due to airborne allergens

• Clear, watery runny nose

• Itchy nose

• Itchy eyes

• Nasal congestion

The signs and symptoms of spleen vacuity include

• An enlarged tongue with teeth-marks on its edges and white fur

• A possible soggy pulse in the right bar position

• Fatigue

• Lack of strength

• Possible loose stools

• A craving for sweets and/or "sugar blues"

DOSING: 2 droppers full

Formula explanation
In Chinese medicine, people who contract airborne allergies, ipso facto, suffer from a defensive qi vacuity. Since the defensive qi issues from the middle burner, this defensive qi vacuity is mostly due to a chronically vacuous and weak spleen failing to engender the lungs and defensive qi. Because of the close recipirocal relationship between the spleen and kidneys, there may also be a kidney qi vacuity. In either case, external wind evils may take advantage of this vacuity to enter the body where they obstruct the lungs’ diffusion and downbearing. Because the patient’s spleen is habitually vacuous, there is a tendency to phlegm dampness. This phlegm may be hidden or deep-lying, meaning that, during ordinary times, it is not apparent. However, whenever the lungs’ diffusion and downbearing of fluids is inhibited, this phlegm backs up and spills over, thus becoming apparent as mucus.

Therefore, this formula is based on the saying, “The spleen is the root of phlegm engenderment; the lungs are the place where phlegm is stored.” Within it, Dang shen, Huang qi, Yi Yi Ren, and Shan Yao supplement the lungs, spleen, and kidneys, the three viscera which govern water metabolism in the body. He Zi and Wu Wei Zi secure the lungs and specifically stop runny nose. Fang Feng and Jing Jie relatively gently dispel wind evils from the exterior while not damaging the defensive qi. Xin Yi Hua and Bo He open the orifices and free the flow of the nose, thus relieving nasal congestion. Chan Tui dispels wind and stops itching. Jie Geng guides the other medicinals to the lungs and also transforms phlegm. Dry Sheng Jiang warms the lungs and transforms phlegm. The combination of Yi Yi Ren and Ze Xie seeps dampness via urination and, therefore, helps Cang Zhu eliminate dampness. Gan Cao harmonizes all the other medicinals in the formula at the same time as helping fortify the spleen and supplement the qi.

Research outcomes
Thirty-three patients with wind cold allergic rhinitis and an underlying lung-spleen vacuity were given a single course of treatment with the adult version of this formula. They were then followed for six months. In six cases, their symptoms disappeared and did not recur for the full six months of the study. In 23 cases, their symptoms recurred after more than three months but less than six months. However, repeat treatment was able to eliminate their symptoms. Only four cases got no effect. Thus the total effectiveness of this formula was 87.8%.