What Are the Ingredients of Tongmai Sini Decoction?

Tongmai Sini Decoction is composed of licorice root, dried ginger, and monkshood root. It has the effects of breaking through yin to restore yang and promoting qi circulation both internally and externally. It is mainly used to treat shaoyin disease and syndrome of yin excess blocking yang. Patients with symptoms such as diarrhea with clear, unformed stool, internal cold with external heat, cold extremities, faint and thready pulse, absence of aversion to cold despite the condition, reddened complexion, or abdominal pain, dry heaves, sore throat, cessation of diarrhea, and imperceptible pulse may also consume Tongmai Sini Decoction for conditioning and improvement. Tongmai Sini Decoction treats syndrome of yin excess blocking yang, and modifications can be made based on symptoms in clinical practice. If the patient has a reddish complexion, chopped green onion can be added to break the blockage between yin and yang. If the patient experiences abdominal pain, peony root can be added to promote blood circulation, relieve urgency, and stop pain. For patients with dry heaves, fresh ginger can be added to regulate the stomach and descend rebellious qi. For those with sore throat, platycodon root can be added to soothe the throat and resolve nodules. For those with cessation of diarrhea and imperceptible pulse, ginseng can be added to tonify qi and generate body fluids. Both Tongmai Sini Decoction and Sini Decoction share the same herbal components and similar effects, formulated for conditions such as decay of yang qi in shaoyin, or spleen-kidney yang deficiency, or heart-kidney yang deficiency. However, the dosages differ between the two decoctions, resulting in varying degrees of potency, and thus they are used to treat different severities of syndromes. Tongmai Sini Decoction is suitable for conditions of decay of yang qi and excess yin, with yang blocked externally, manifested as true internal cold with apparent external heat, and it is more potent than Sini Decoction.