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Jia Jian Fu Mai Tang加减复脉汤

Modified Restore the Pulse Decoction

Tonifying 补益剂Tonify Qi and Blood 气血双补

Ingredients6 herbs

炙Zhi Gan Cao炙甘草18gSweetly supports the middle and steadies the Heart
干Gan Di Huang干地黄18gEnriches yin and cools the residual heat
生Sheng Bai Shao生白芍18gPreserves the yin and restrains what is leaking outward
麦Mai Men Dong麦冬不去心15gMoistens the Lung and Stomach and generates fluids
阿E Jiao阿胶9gEnriches the blood and yin of the lower burner
麻麻仁9g

Indications

Enriches the yin and generates fluidsRestores what a prolonged fever has consumedMoistens dryness in the lower burner

Yin and fluids exhausted late in a warm febrile disease. The pathogenic heat has largely gone but has taken the fluids with it, so the residual heat is deficient in nature.

Clinical Manifestations

  • Persisting low fever late in a febrile illness
  • Dry mouth and tongue with thirst after fever
  • Palms and soles hotter than the backs of the hands and feet
  • Weakness and emaciation during convalescence from fever
TongueDry, red, with little or no coating
PulseLarge but empty, or thin and rapid

Health Categories

Energy & FatigueCold & Flu Relief

Modern Applications

Post-viral syndromeDehydrationPersistent low-grade feverSjogren-like drynessConvalescence

Common adjustments

  • Stirring of internal wind with tremor — add shell-and-mineral anchoring herbs — the classical sequence of yi jia, er jia and san jia fu mai tang
  • Marked palpitations — increase Zhi Gan Cao 炙甘草 and Mai Men Dong
  • Dry stool that will not pass — increase Huo Ma Ren 火麻仁

Contraindications

Not while excess heat is still active or the pathogen is still in the qi level — enriching too early holds the heat in. Not for damp-warm disease, and not where Spleen deficiency with loose stool would be worsened by rich cloying herbs.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.

Pregnancy

Generally compatible in pregnancy — the formula is sweet, cold and enriching with no purgative or blood-breaking herbs. Prescribing remains a matter for the treating practitioner.

Related Formulas

References

Source Wen Bing Tiao Bian 《温病条辨》 · Qing

「热邪深入，或在少阴，或在厥阴，均宜复脉。」
— 《温病条辨》(classical source, public domain)
  1. Classical source (public domain), cited in the source-quote section.
    2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
    3. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— pattern analysis cross-checked.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.