Exploring the Characteristics of Medication Used in SUN Simiao's Wings of the Thousand Gold Pieces Formulary （《千金翼方》） for Regulating the Spleen：from the Principle of "Supplementing or Draining by Preference and Aversions"
10.13288/j.11-2166/r.2025.04.017
- VernacularTitle:从“苦欲补泻”探析孙思邈《千金翼方》中调治脾脏方剂的用药特点
- Author:
Yan LI
1
;
Hongxin CAO
2
Author Information
1. Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine，Harbin，150040
2. Institute of Basic Theory for Chinese Medicine，China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
supplementing or draining by preference and aversions;
Wings of the Thousand Gold Pieces Formulary （《千金翼方》）;
spleen;
medicinal compatibility
- From:
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2025;66(4):427-431
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The principle of "supplementing or draining by the preference and aversions of the the five zang organs" emphasizes that prescriptions should align the five flavors of medicinals with the needs of the five organs， achieving supplementation through harmonizing flavors and drainage through opposing flavors. This paper analyzed the formulas for regulating the spleen found in Wings of the Thousand Gold Pieces Formulary （《千金翼方》） from the perspective of "supplementing or draining by the preference and aversions"， to summarize SUN Simiao's prescription characteristics for treating spleen-related disorders. In terms of the combination rule of medicinal properties and flavors， formulas like Bupi Decoction （补脾汤） for supplementing the spleen use sweet and warm medicinals paired with bitter and drying medicinals； those for draining the spleen use acrid and warm medicinals paired with bitter and cold medicinals； those for warming the spleen employs acrid and hot medicinals with sweet and warm medicinals； those like Jianpi Decoction （建脾汤） for strengthening spleen combines sweet and warm with sour and bitter medicinals； Zhuanpi Pill （转脾丸） pairs acrid and warm medicinals with sweet and warm medicinals； and Roupi Decoction （柔脾汤） uses sweet and warm medicinals with sweet and bitter medicinals. Regarding the medicinal flavors， warm dominates the four qi （the four properties）， while sweet， bitter， and acrid are the main among the five flavors. Clinical practice involves applying comprehensive therapy methods such as the combination of sweet and bitter to harmonize， acrid and sweet to transform yang， pungent to disperse and bitter to descend， balancing cold and warm， and combining supplementation and drainage. The foundational principle is to tonify spleen qi and protect the middle jiao， and treatment is tailored based on the disease condition， location， nature， and the characteristics of the medicinals， with careful selection of suitable dosage forms and administration methods.
