Formula
Preserve the Primal Qi Decoction
保元汤bao yuan tang
1 source
4 herbs·from Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu)
In the《Bencao Gangmu》tradition, this formula is described in connection with childhood chronic fright-wind (慢驚) and, by extension, pox eruptions, framed as steadying the constructive blood within and protecting the defensive qi without. A historical indication, not a modern diagnostic or treatment recommendation.
Source
传统主治（traditional context，非现代临床声明）：治慢惊（土衰火旺）之法，今借而治痘，以其内固营血、外护卫气、滋助阴阳。
Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu)卷十二·草部·草之一·山草类·人参·发明·保元汤（出处：此方原出东垣）
Composition
- Astragalus三钱
- Ginseng二钱
- Licorice一钱
- Fresh Ginger (Sheng jiang)一片
Citations
- Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) · Li Shizhen · 卷十二·草部·草之一·山草类·人参·发明·保元汤（组成：炙黄耆三钱，人参二钱，炙甘草一钱，生姜一片）Cited from Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) for its composition.
- Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) · Li Shizhen · 卷十二·草部·草之一·山草类·人参·发明·保元汤（用法：生姜一片，水煎服之）Cited from Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) for its preparation & usage.
- Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) · Li Shizhen · 卷十二·草部·草之一·山草类·人参·发明·保元汤（主治：治慢惊土衰火旺之法。今借而治痘，以其内固营血，外护卫气，滋助阴阳）Cited from Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) for its traditional indications.
- Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) · Li Shizhen · 卷十二·草部·草之一·山草类·人参·发明·保元汤（出处：此方原出东垣）Cited from Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) for its provenance.
- Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) · Li Shizhen · 卷十二·草部·草之一·山草类·人参·发明·保元汤（出处：萧山魏直著《博爱心鉴》三卷）Cited from Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) for its provenance.
- Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) · Li Shizhen · 卷十二·草部·草之一·山草类·人参·发明·保元汤（定名：去白芍药，加生姜，改名曰保元汤）Cited from Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) for its provenance.