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Formulas for treating malaria are suitable for malaria or warm epidemics with patterns similar to the shaoyang disease such as alternating cold and heat, oppression in the chest and desire to retch. The evils of malaria and warm epidemics are hidden in the membrane source which is near to the regions of the shaoyang disease. Additionally, the clinical manifestations such as alternating cold and heat, oppression in the chest and desire to retch, are also identical with those of the shaoyang disease. Moreover, formulas for harmonizing the shaoyang such as Xiăo Chái Hú Tāng (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) and Hāo Qín Qīng Dăn Tāng (Sweet Wormwood and Scutellaria Gallbladder-Clearing Decoction)are effective for malaria. Therefore, formulas for treating malaria are usually classified into the category of formulas for harmonization and resolution. However, the pathogenesis of malaria is infection by the malaria evil, which is usually complicated with other pathogenic evils that induce disease with complicated symptoms, and is liable to be influenced by obvious seasonal and regional onset. Thus, the composition of formulas for treating malaria is partially different from formulas for harmonization and resolution. The main components of these formulas for treating malaria are those medicinals for interrupting malaria and repelling foulness, and resolving the membrane source such as cháng shān (Radix Dichroae), qīng hāo (Herba Artemisiae Annuae), căo guŏ (草果, Fructus Tsaoko), chái hú (Radix Bupleuri), or huáng qín (Radix Scutellariae). There are several aspects to this combination based on the analysis of the established formulas in the past dynasties:
For example, hòu pò (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis), bàn xià (Rhizoma Pinelliae), cāng zhú (Rhizoma Atractylodis), bái zhú (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), fú líng (Poria), wēi líng xiān (威灵仙, Radix et Rhizoma Clematidis). Malaria is often combined with phlegm stagnation, and warm epidemics and is often combined with dampness turbidity, the pathogens are both hidden in the membrane source and, are usually combined with evil of phlegmdampness to induce disease, invade the region between the exterior and interior, and pass in and out between the ying and defensive qi, which leads to frequent unceasing onset of malaria. It was stated by our predecessors that: “ Phlegm cannot be formed without dampness ”(无湿不成痰), and “ malaria cannot come to be without phlegm ”(无痰不成疟), which was the precise generalization of the pathogenic characteristics of malaria with concurrent phlegm-dampness. Therefore, formulas for treating malaria are often combined with medicinals for drying dampness and transforming phlegm to complement each other while interrupting the malaria pathogen. For example, Jié Nüè Qī Băo Yĭn (Malaria-Interrupting Seven-Jewel Beverage, 截疟七宝饮) recorded in The Orthodox Tradition of Medicine and Dá Yuán Yĭn (Membrane-Source-Opening Beverage) in the Discussion on Warm Epidemics are both combined with hòu pò (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis) for drying dampness and transforming phlegm, descending qi and eliminating fullness, thus it can benefit the effect of cháng shān (Radix Dichroae) and căo guŏ (Fructus Tsaoko) in interrupting malaria and dispelling evils. Similar combinations can be found in Qīng Pí Tāng (Spleen-Clearing Decoction, 清脾汤) recorded in the Formulas to Aid the Living , which combines hòu pò (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis), bái zhú (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), bàn xià (Rhizoma Pinelliae), and fú líng (Poria), in Hòu Pò Căo Guŏ Tāng (Officinal Magnolia Bark and Tsaoko Decoction) recorded in the Systematic Discussion on Warm Pathogen Diseases , which is combined with bàn xià (Rhizoma Pinelliae), fú líng (Poria), and chén pí (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae), and in Ní Hán Chū Zhì Nüè Dì Yī Fāng (First Formula for Treating Malaria by Ni Han-chu, 倪涵初治疟第一方), recorded in the Wondrous Lantern for Peering into the Origin and Development of Miscellaneous Diseases ( Zá Bìng Yuán Liú Xī Zhú , 杂病源流犀烛), which is combined with bàn xià (Rhizoma Pinelliae), cāng zhú (Rhizoma Atractylodis), hòu pò (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis), fú líng (Poria), wēi líng xiān (Radix et Rhizoma Clematidis), and others, in appropriate proportions for drying dampness and transforming phlegm. Accordingly, medicinals for drying dampness and transforming phlegm are the important compatible method in formulas for treating malaria.
In this kind of combination, regarding the medicinals for drying dampness and transforming phlegm, firstly one should choose medicinals with simultaneous effects of drying dampness and transforming phlegm such as hòu pò (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis) and bàn xià (Rhizoma Pinelliae), which not only dry dampness but also transform phlegm, so they are often selected in formulas for treating malaria; secondly, one should choose medicinals with the effects of both drying dampness and transforming phlegm, and fortifying the spleen such as bái zhú (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), cāng zhú (Rhizoma Atractylodis), and fú líng (Poria).As the formation of phlegm dampness is related to the spleen and stomach, phlegm is produced from dampness, and dampness is transformed in the spleen. Therefore, spleen deficiency is the source of damp-phlegm. Thus, clearing the pathogenic foundation and origin can be achieved by the choice of medicinals with effects of both drying dampness transforming phlegm and fortifying the spleen. In addition, both the Ní Hán Chū Zhì Nüè Dì Yī Fāng (First Formula for Treating Malaria by Ni Han-chu) and Ní Hán Chū Zhì Nüè Dì Èr Fāng (Second Formula for Treating Malaria by Ni Han-chu, 倪涵初治疟第二方) recorded in the Wondrous Lantern for Peering into the Origin and Development of Miscellaneous Diseases used wēi líng xiān (Radix et Rhizoma Clematidis) for “ freeing the twelve channels, seeking wind and dispelling dampness, eliminating phlegm and dispelling turbidity, which coordinates other medicinals to clear phlegm stagnation and dampness glomus in channels and collaterals and zang-fu organs ” (通行十二经，搜风逐湿，消痰除癖，协同诸药，能清除经络脏腑留滞的痰癖积湿), cited from Encyclopaedia of Chinese Medicine - Medicinal Formulas ( Zhōng Guó Yī Xué Băi Kē Quán Shū - Fāng Jì Xué , 中国医学百科全书·方剂学). Wēi líng xiān (Radix et Rhizoma Clematidis)is not only effective for drying dampness and transforming phlegm, but also is a good choice in treating malaria after being decocted with water and alcohol in equal parts, according to the record in the Origins of the Materia Medica ( Bĕn Căo Yuán Shĭ , 本草原始).
For example, bīng láng (Semen Arecae), qīng pí (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride), chén pí (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae), zhĭ qiào (Fructus Aurantii). “ Pathogenic qi occupying the membrane source, isolates the interior from the exterior, therefore it leaves no access for external qi to enter into the interior and for the internal qi to go out ” (邪气盘踞于膜原，内外隔绝，表气不能通于内，里气不能达于外), cited from the Discussion on Warm Epidemics , this then causes the dysfunction of the pivot for the qi dynamic in and out; or the concurrent phlegm-dampness pathogen causes cold coagulation and dampness block, which then stagnates the yang qi, thus causing dysfunction of descending and ascending of the spleen and stomach qi. This leads to the combined disease of malaria evils and phlegmdampness, which stagnates the qi dynamic and aggravates and obscures the pathogen. Therefore, the medicinals for rectifying qi are given close attention in the combination of formulas for treating malaria. For example, in Jié Nüè Qī Băo Yĭn (Malaria-Interrupting Seven-Jewel Beverage) recorded in The Orthodox Tradition of Medicine said “ cháng shān (Radix Dichroae) can expectorate chronic phlegm and accumulated retention of body fluid, bīng láng (Semen Arecae)can purge food and phlegm accumulation, căo guŏ (Fructus Tsaoko) can eliminate the phlegm of rich food in the taiyin, chén pí (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) can benefit qi, hòu pò(Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis) can harmonize the stomach, and qīng pí (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride) can quell the liver, all of these are medicinals are for warmly dispelling and transforming phlegm ” (常山能吐老痰积饮，槟榔能下食积痰结，草果能消太阴膏粱之痰，陈皮利气，厚朴平胃，青皮伐肝，皆为温散行痰之品), cited from the Medical Formulas Collected and Analyzed . Among them, bīng láng (Semen Arecae), chén pí (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae), qīng pí (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride), and hòu pò (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis) are all acrid and dry medicinals for moving qi and warmly dispelling phlegm and rectifying the qi dynamic. Dá Yuán Yĭn (Membrane-Source-Opening Beverage), from the Discussion on Warm Epidemics , is combined with “ medicinals for dispersing, and grinding, coursing, and dispelling diffusion such as bīng láng (Semen Arecae), and hòu pò(Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis) to break the deep-lying evil and quickly transform it ” (槟榔、厚朴能消能磨疏利宣散之品，以破其伏邪，使其速化), cited from the Convenient Reader of Established Formulas , which also brings the advantages of the effect of rectifying qi and moving stagnation, in order to smooth the membrane source and diffuse and expel deeplying evils. Chái Hú Dá Yuán Yĭn (Bupleurum Membrane-Source-Opening Beverage, 柴胡达原饮), from the Popular Guide to the Discussion on Cold Damage , was formulated by combining and modifying Xiăo Chái Hú Tāng (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) and Dá Yuán Yĭn (Membrane-Source-Opening Beverage), where chái hú (Radix Bupleuri) and huáng qín (Radix Scutellariae) are used as the chief medicinals to course and expel the qi dynamic of the membrane source and discharge depressed fire in the membrane source to the outside with bitter flavor, “ zhĭ qiào (Fructus Aurantii) and jié gĕng (Radix Platycodonis) are used as the deputy medicinals to open the upper region, căo guŏ (Fructus Tsaoko) to course the middle, qīng pí (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride) and bīng láng (Semen Arecae) to expel below, in this way, this formula can open and regulate the qi dynamic of the san jiao, from which deep-lying evil in the membrane source is expelled beyond the interstices of the flesh ” (臣以枳（壳），桔（梗）开上，（草）果疏中，青（皮），槟（榔）达下，以开达三焦气机，使膜原伏邪从三焦而外达肌腠也), cited from the Revised Popular Guide to the Discussion on Cold Damage . This choice of medicinals for opening the upper regions, freeing the middle and expelling below, to rectify the qi dynamic, is the enrichment and development of the combination of medicinals for rectifying qi in formulas for treating malaria.
It is worth mentioning that bīng láng (Semen Arecae) and qīng pí (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride) are the most commonly used medicinals for rectifying qi in formulas for treating malaria, which is because “ bīng láng (Semen Arecae) can disperse and grind, and eliminate deep-lying evils, this medicinal with the function of coursing and dispelling, also can eliminate malaria qi ” (槟榔能消能磨，除伏邪，为疏利之药，又除岭南瘴气), cited from the Discussion on Warm Epidemics ;moreover it can “ purgate food accumulation and phlegm bind ” (能下食积痰结), cited from the Medical Formulas Collected and Analyzed . It has been proven that bīng láng (Semen Arecae)has a notable effect of interruptting malaria in addition to dispersing food accumulation, breaking phlegm bind, moving qi stagnation and eliminating deep-lying evil. It was demonstrated in an experimental study on Jié Nüè Qī Băo Yĭn (Malaria-Interrupting Seven-Jewel Beverage)that all of the medicinals in this formula cannot reduce the effect of cháng shān (Radix Dichroae) in treating malaria, moreover the effect of promoting emesis of the entire formula, in pigeons, was three to four times less than that of cháng shān (Radix Dichroae) alone, deleting hòu pò (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis) didn’t influence the function of emesis, deleting bīng láng (Semen Arecae) would lead to the same degree of the effect of emesis with cháng shān (Radix Dichroae) alone, and the combined application of cháng shān (Radix Dichroae) and bīng láng (Semen Arecae) had the same effect of promoting emesis as Jié Nüè Qī Băo Yĭn (Malaria-Interrupting Seven-Jewel Beverage). Thus, it was proven that bīng láng (Semen Arecae) was the main medicinal for resisting the side effect of emesis caused by cháng shān (Radix Dichroae). (recorded in The Hunan Journal of Medical Science , 1959, 3:20). Qīng pí (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride) is selected as a rectifying qi medicinal because of its effects on treating malaria. It was recorded in The Great Peace Sagacious Benevolence Formulary that qīng pí (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride)was burned while preserving its nature, and ground to a powder, then taken in with warm alcohol before the onset of malaria. It was also noted in the Penetrating the Mysteries of the Materia Medica ( Bĕn Căo Tōng Xuán , 本草通玄) that “ the pulse of the patient with malaria is always wiry because of the evils from liver wind. Qīng pí (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride)enters the liver to dissipate evils and enters the spleen to flush phlegm, thus it is necessary for treating malaria ” (疟脉自弦，肝风之祟，青皮入肝散邪，入脾涤痰，故为疟家必需之品).
For example, hé shŏu wū (何首乌, Radix Polygoni Multiflori), dāng guī (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), rén shēn (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng)( dăng shēn , Radix Codonopsis), bái zhú (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), zhì gān căo (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle). Malaria occurring unceasingly for a long duration with both qi and blood deficiency often leads to symptoms of lingering malaria evil and difficulty in curing deficiency patterns. The application of common formulas for interrupting malaria is not useful to the qi and blood, but harmful, and will lead to further consumption and damage of qi and blood, which causes incurable disease or disease liable to occur after light activities due to the killing of the right qi. It was indicated by Zhang Bingcheng that: “ In the treatment of qi and blood deficiency, chronic malaria and retained cold and heat after the elimination of pathogens, …are caused by weakness of the right qi, so shoud be considered carefully ” (治气血两虚，久疟不止，邪尽而寒热仍作者，……皆由正气馁弱，至其时预为顾虑), cited from Convenient Reader of Established Formulas . Therefore, according to the therapy of supporting the right qi and eliminating malaria in treating chronic malaria with deficiency, medicinals for supplementing qi and blood should be combined properly in formulas for treating malaria to pay equal attention to both the root and branch and then achieve the effect of supporting the right qi and eliminating pathogens. For example, Sì Shòu Yĭn (Four Animals Decoction, 四兽饮), from the Discussion on Illnesses, Patterns, and Formulas Related to the Unification of the Three Etiologies , consists of căo guŏ (Fructus Tsaoko), wū méi (乌梅, Fructus Mume), bàn xià (Rhizoma Pinelliae), and chén pí (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) for transforming phlegm and interrupting malaria; simultaneously combined with rén shēn (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng), bái zhú (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), fú líng (Poria), and zhì gān căo (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) for boosting qi and supporting right qi, and fortifying the spleen and transforming dampness, thus it is an effective formula for boosting qi and treating malaria. Ní Hán Chū Zhì Nüè Dì Sān Fāng (Third Formula for Treating Malaria by Ni Han-chu, 倪涵初治疟第三方) in the Wondrous Lantern for Peering into the Origin and Development of Miscellaneous Diseases is indicated for chronic malaria with qi deficiency, weak constitution and non-greasy tongue coating. The formula takes the original formulas composition of Bŭ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng (Center-Supplementing Qi-Boosting Decoction, 补中益气汤) as the basis, and adds hé shŏu wū (Radix Polygoni Multiflori) and zhī mŭ (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae) for supplementing the blood and nourishing yin; or is combined with mài yá (麦芽, Fructus Hordei Germinatus)and qīng hāo (Herba Artemisiae Annuae) for transforming stagnation and eliminating malaria, attaining the joint effects of nourishing the liver and fortifying the spleen, and eliminating malaria evils. Regarding the selection of supplementing medicinals in this kind of combination, those having supplementing functions while concurrently treating malaria are the best choice. Take hé shŏu wū (Radix Polygoni Multiflori)as an example, besides its original effect of supplementing the liver and kidney to boost essence blood, nourishing yin without stickiness, and harmonizing yang without dryness, it also treats malaria. It was recorded in much of the medicinal literature that: Hé shŏu wū (Radix Polygoni Multiflori) “ can interrupt malaria and be used for phlegmatic malaria ” (截疟，治痰疟), cited from Materia Medica of South Yunnan ( Diān Nán Bĕn Căo , 滇南本草); “ is the crucial medicinal for deficiency malaria with the effect of nourishing yin and supplementing the liver ”(滋阴补肝，虚疟要药), cited from Essentials of the Materia Medica ( Bĕn Căo Bèi Yào , 本草备要); “ can nourish the blood and sinew, … is perfect in interruptting malaria. ” (养血营筋，……截疟如神) Commentary on the Classic Materia Medica . (玉楸药解, Yù Qiū Yào Jiĕ ); “ can interruptchronic malaria with consumption and exhaustion of deficient qi ” (久疟虚气耗散者可截之), cited from Treasury of Words on the Materia Medica . Hé shŏu wū (Radix Polygoni Multiflori)is combined or applied as the chief medicinal in most formulas for treating deficiency malaria from the past to present, which is related to its effects of supplementing and treating malaria. In Hé Rén Yĭn (Flowery Knotweed and Ginseng Beverage, 何人饮) recorded in the Collected Treatises of [Zhang] Jing-yue , hé shŏu wū (Radix Polygoni Multiflori) is used in a large dosage as the chief medicinal for supplementing the liver and kidney, and boosting blood essence to interrupt malaria and eliminate evils; rén shēn (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) and dāng guī (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) are applied as the deputy medicinals for supplementing qi and nourishing blood; chén pí (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae)is used for rectifying qi to smooth the middle, and acrid and warm wēi jiāng (煨姜, Rhizoma Zingiberis) to dissipate cold, both of which are the assistant medicinals for supporting the spleen and assisting transportation, to mediate the stagnating and greasy nature of supplementing medicinals. This formula is famous as an effective formula for curing deficient malaria, and should not be applied for recent onset of malaria without a weak constitution.
For example, táo rén (Semen Persicae), wŭ líng zhī (五灵脂, Faeces Trogopterori), biē jiă (鳖甲, Carapax Trionycis), é zhú (莪术, Rhizoma Curcumae), and chuān shān jiă (穿山甲, Squama Manitis), etc. There are two situations in the combination with medicinals for quickening the blood and dispelling stasis and medicinals for softening hard masses and dissipating binds in formulas for treating malaria. The first one is for recent onset of malaria with a short course; with concurrent potential pathogenesis such as static blood or phlegm aggregation lumps although lump glomus occurring in malaria has not been formed yet. The combination of medicinals for dispelling stasis and softening hard masses used properly in the formulas for treating malaria could not only improve the curative effect but also cut off the chronic tendency of the disease, with the intention of curing disease and preventing pathogenic changes. Yang Ren-zhai held that:“ Malaria is related to both body fluid and blood. The body fluid retention causes chills and fever, while static blood abhors chills and fever. Cháng shān (Radix Dichroae) can be applied to expel water and secure. Wŭ líng zhĭ (Faeces Trogopterori) and táo rén (Semen Persicae)should be combined as the assistant medicinals for treating haemorrhagic disease after being decocted with shēng jiāng (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) and fēng mì ( 蜂蜜 , Mel). How can perfect results occur without medicinals for moving blood? ” (疟有水有血，惟水饮所以作寒热，惟瘀血所以憎寒热. 常山能逐水固也. 若是血证，当加五灵脂、桃仁为佐，入生姜、蜜同煎. 苟无行血之品，何以收十全之功耶), cited from Medical Formulas Collected and Analyzed . Wang Ang quoted the ingenious statement by Master Yang following Jié Nüè Qī Băo Yĭn (Malaria-Interrupting Seven-Jewel Beverage)with the intention of regarding it as one of the compatible methods in the modification of this formula, which implies the clinical significance of the combination of medicinals for quickening the blood and dispelling stasis in early stages of malaria. Ní Hán Chū Zhì Nüè Dì Èr Fāng (Second Formula for Treating Malaria by Ni Han-chu), recorded in the Wondrous Lantern for Peering into the Origin and Development of Miscellaneous Diseases , is used following the application of the first formula for treating malaria that has not been cured though the disease is lessened or is combined with a weak constitution. Since chronic malaria or lump glomus occurring in malaria has not been formed, the combination of biē jiă (Carapax Trionycis) fried with vinegar for softening hard lumps and dispersing nodes, in this formula is apparently to prevent pathogenic changes and cut off the tendency of disease by applying medicinals before the disease, which cannot be explained by merely the effect of softening hard lumps and dispersing nodes. The second one is long-term incurable malaria with phlegmdampness congealing and gathering, and qi stagnation and blood stasis, which accumulate under the hypochondria and form into lump glomus occurring in malaria. The compatible proportion of medicinals for quickening the blood and dispelling stasis and medicinals for softening hard lumps and dispersing nodes should be increased properly. Ní Hán Chū Zhì Nüè Dì Sì Fāng (Fourth Formula for Treating Malaria by Ni Han-chu, 倪涵初治疟第四方), from the Wondrous Lantern for Peering into the Origin and Development of Miscellaneous Diseases , uses medicinals for quickening the blood and dispelling stasis and medicinals for softening hard lumps and dispersing nodes such as é zhú (Rhizoma Curcuma) fried with vinegar, biē jiă (Carapax Trionycis) fried with vinegar, wēi líng xiān (Radix et Rhizoma Clematidis), dry-fried mài yá (Fructus Hordei Germinatus), and chuān shān jiă (Squama Manitis). Also, raw hé shŏu wū (Radix Polygoni Multiflori), qīng hāo (Herba Artemisiae Annuae), and qiān dān (铅丹, Minium) are used for transforming phlegm and interrupting malaria. Thus, it is an effective formula for dispelling nodes and treating malaria, and softening hard lumps and dispersing nodes.
For the selection of medicinals for dispelling stasis and softening hard lumps in this kind of combination, besides the use of medicinals with the effects of dispelling stasis and concurrently softening hard lumps such as chuān shān jiă (Squama Manitis), é zhú (Rhizoma Curcuma), and so on, insect medicinals for dispelling stasis and shell medicinals for softening hard lumps should also be chosen, and for a long course of treatment pills are recommended according to the principle of slow treatment for chronic disease and to restrict the drastic function of insect and shell medicinals. It can be illustrated by Biē Jiă Jiān Wán (Turtle Shell Decocted Pill, 鳖甲煎丸) recorded in the Essentials from the Golden Cabinet, which is formulated for the accumulated lump glomus occurring in malaria under the hypochondria caused by fighting and accumulatiing between evils of cold, or heat phlegm-dampness evil, and qi and blood contending and binding in chronic incurable malaria. In this formula, biē jiă (Carapax Trionycis) is used as the chief medicinal for softening hard lumps and dispersing nodes, and freeing collaterals and dispelling evils, with the main indications of concretions and conglomerations, chills and fever. Dà huáng (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei), sháo yào (Radix Paeoniae Alba), insects, táo rén (Semen Persicae), chì xiāo (赤硝, Nitrum Rubrum), dān pí (Cortex Moutan), shŭ fù (鼠妇, Armadillidium), fēng kē (蜂窠, Nidus Vespae), qiāng láng (蜣螂, Catharsius), and zĭ wēi (紫葳, Flos Campsis) are used as the deputy medicinals to break blood and attack stasis, and to move static accumulations in the blood aspect. The assistant medicinals are hòu pò (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis), bàn xià (Rhizoma Pinelliae), tíng lì zĭ (Semen Lepidii), and shè gān (射干, Rhizoma Belamcandae) to descend qi and dispel phlegm, and move binding and stagnation in the qi aspect; shí wéi (石韦, Folium Pyrrosiae), and qú mài (瞿麦, Herba Dianthi) to dispel water and leach dampness through the urine; chái hú (Radix Bupleuri) and guì zhī (Ramulus Cinnamomi)to free the ying and defensive qi, and disperse nodes and dispel stasis; gān jiāng (Rhizoma Zingiberis) and huáng qín (Radix Scutellariae)to mitigate yin and yang and flatly regulate cold and heat; and rén shēn (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng), ē jiāo (阿胶, Colla Corii Asini)to boost qi and nourish the blood, and support the right and secure the root. Rice wine is acrid and hot and penetrates the blood. It assists the other medicinals in dispersing the pathocondition and transforming accumulation. In this formula, groups of insect and shell medicinals for quickening the blood and dispelling stasis, and medicinals for softening hard lumps and dispersing nodes reflect thoroughly the characteristics of medicinals in this compatible method.
Many formulas for treating malaria that use wine added into the decoction, such as Jié Nüè Qī Băo Yĭn (Malaria-Interrupting Seven-Jewel Beverage) and Biē Jiă Jiān Wán (Turtle Shell Decocted Pill, 鳖甲煎丸), have profound significance. Wine is acrid and hot, therefore it can warm and free the qi and blood, and promotes the tendency of medicinals, accelerating their effects in the body. Cháng shān (Radix Dichroae) in particular has a more notable effect of interrupting malaria with the reduced toxicity after decocted with wine. It was recorded in the Grand Materia Medica : “ Steamed with wine and then fried, the drastic functions will be reduced, and used in small dosages it will not induce vomiting ” (酒蒸炒熟用，则气稍缓，少用亦不致吐也). Li Zhong-zi also said of cháng shān (Radix Dichroae): “ If soaked in wine and then fried, it can perfect effects in only about one qian dose ” (若酒浸炒透，但用钱许，余每用必建奇功.), cited from Penetrating the Mysteries of the Materia Medica . It was demonstrated by modern pharmacological experiments that wine is a good solvent for the active constituents of cháng shān (Radix Dichroae) and other medicinals for interrupting malaria, and can be dissolved in water easily with the help of wine (recorded in the Clinical Manual of the Formulas in Chinese Medicine - Zhōng Yī Fāng Jì Lín Chuáng Shŏu Cè , 中医方剂临床手册). Therefore, it will be helpful to improve the curative effects when decocting formulas for treating malaria with water, by adding the appropriate amount of wine or dry frying cháng shān (Radix Dichroae), after soaking in alcohol for some time.