TCM Herbal Formulas: Classic Prescriptions and Construction

Chinese herbal medicine formulas (方剂, fangji) represent centuries of accumulated medical knowledge — combinations of herbs prescribed according to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine to treat specific patterns of disharmony. Unlike Western medicine, which often targets specific diseases, TCM formulas treat the whole person, addressing the underlying pattern of imbalance.

Classic Formulas

Chinese medicine has thousands of classic formulas, some over 1,000 years old. The "Four Gentlemen Decoction" (四君子汤) — ginseng, atractylodes, poria, and licorice — tonifies the qi. "Four Substance Decoction" (四物汤) — rehmannia, peony, angelica, and ligusticum — nourishes the blood. These formulas are the building blocks of herbal prescribing.

Formula Construction

Formulas are constructed according to the "monarch, minister, assistant, envoy" (君臣佐使, jun chen zuo shi) principle. The monarch (君) addresses the main pattern; the minister (臣) supports or counterbalances; the assistant (佐) addresses secondary issues or reduces side effects; the envoy (使) guides the formula to the appropriate channel or organ.