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The theory of “the chief, deputy, assistant, envoy” in composing formulas was first introduced in the Inner Classic . It has been upgraded to a principle for composing formulas after the development for more than two thousand years, and it has undoubtedly attained important significance in the analysis of the principles of composing formulas in the effective formulas of the past, and for research on the compatible theories and methods.
With the establishment of the science of formulas as a subject in recent years, the depth and range of the research on the principles of formulating formulas, as well as experimental research in the field, have all been unparalleled compared to the past.
It has become an historical necessity that through carrying out research on literary collections and clinical practice on the principles of formulating formulas, scientific connotations have been able to be developed, thus propelling the principles of formulating formulas in modern formula research.
However, it should also be seen that as the principle of formulating formulas, the notion of the “chief, deputy, assistant and envoy” is still not entirely complete and has some shortcomings. For example, the intersection and repetition of the “chief, deputy, assistant and envoy” in concept and connotations have affected the practical application of the principles for formulating formulas. There has been a relatively great amount of analysis on the principles for formulating formulas in the formulas of the past, but not enough discussion on the applications of the “chief, deputy, assistant and envoy” in researching new formulas. There has been a relatively great amount of discussion on the formulating principles in concrete formulas, but the studies on the commonalities of the principles for formulating formulas, which could represent certain kinds of therapeutic methods, have only just begun. Experimental research on formulas has mostly laid particular emphasis on the mechanism of the actions of formulas, but has lacked studies on the objectification, normalization, systematization and modernization of the “chief, deputy, assistant and envoy.” All of these are now becoming new topics before us. For this reason, the author put forward the following opinions:
In the principles of formulating formulas, aside from the chief medicinal, there are many ambiguous and divergent views regarding the main points of the deputy, the assistant and the envoy medicinals. For example, in the five versions of the teaching material, Chinese Medicinal Formulas, it is very difficult to distinguish the combining therapeutic actions of the deputy medicinals and the helpful actions of the assistant medicinals. In many formulas, the assistant medicinals and the envoy medicinals are often confused. This has resulted in the possibility of one medicinal taking on several roles, and the existence of several different results from the analysis of the “chief, deputy, assistant and envoy” in the same formula. Therefore, if we can limit the main points and connotations of the “chief, deputy, assistant and envoy” again, and make them definite and unchangeable, many unnecessary arguments may be avoided, and at the same time, we can provide strict criteria for formulating new formulas in the research of new medicinals in the future.
Many doctors have analyzed the “chief, deputy, assistant and envoy” in formulas from different points of view, and even explained them unilaterally, resulting in a lack of agreement between many views. Therefore, when we study the effective formulas of the past, we should lay emphasis on clinical practice, rather than be constrained by the doctrines and ideas of different doctors. For example, there have been different views on whether fù zĭ (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata) or gān căo (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) is the chief medicinal in Sì Nì Tāng (Counterflow Cold Decoction). It may appear that the opinion of gān căo (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) being the chief medicinal is reasonable, but if analyzing this formula as one being used for treating the syndrome of fainting caused by cold and yang exhaustion, it is not difficult to arrive at the correct conclusion that fù zĭ (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata) is the chief medicinal in this formula.
In formulating formulas, the principle view of the unity of opposites is prevalent at all times, with great implications for dialectical thought. So when analyzing the composition, evolution, and clinical applications of formulas, we must use the materialist dialectics as the guideline. For instance, the different primary and subsidiary actions of the “chief, deputy, assistant and envoy” in formulas have highlighted the main contradictions and the main aspects of these contradictions. Certain compatible characteristics of formulas, such as dispersing while astringing, purging while tonifying, warming while clearing, tonifying while promoting, all illustrate the universalism of contradictions, and changes in formulating formulas reflect the transformation of the contradictory elements. Only in this way can we raise the principles of formulating formulas to the height of common knowledge.
It is essential to analyze the compatible identity of formulas in the research on the principles of formulating formulas, but if we can carry out overall research on congeneric formulas that can represent specific kinds of therapeutic methods, it would make the principles of formulating formulas exhibit a greater universal guiding significance and avoid subjective notions. For example, through the overall research on the compatible theories and methods in formulas which represent the therapeutic method of calming and extinguishing inner wind, we may find that, in these kind of formulas, medicinals with the function of calming the liver and extinguishing wind were often used as the chief medicinals; medicinals with the function of clearing heat were often used as the deputy medicinals; medicinals for nourishing yin and blood, medicinals for ensuring the proper downward flow of blood, medicinals for transforming phlegm, sedative medicinals, and medicinals for coursing the liver and regulating qi, were often used as the deputy medicinals; and medicinals with the function of harmonizing the actions of other herbs were used as the envoy medicinals. If we were to formulate a new formula according to this principle we would obtain the best of many formulas. This reflects the important guiding significance of the principles of formulating formulas.
The moderniztion of Chinese medicine is first and foremost the modernization of methodology. Discussion on the principles of formulating formulas is not only required in the research on ancient formulas, but more importantly, is necessary in objectifying and normalizing the principle of the “chief, deputy, assistant, and envoy”, and in modernizing the compatible theories and clinical applications of formulas. In this regard, experimental research and comprehensive pharmacological research on formulas, from the macroscopic or microscopic view, would be helpful in elucidating the principle of formulas for treatment of disease as well as the essence of the therapeutic methods of Chinese medicine, and hence achieve great advancement. To improve the experimental research on formulas will become an important direction of the research on formulas in the future.