Lower Palace Tablets

The Lower Palace Tablets formula is similar to Shaofu Zhuyu Tang (Decoction for Getting Rid of Blood Stasis in the Lower Palace) and Gexia Zhuyu Tang (gexie = below the diaphragm) by Wang Qingren, who is well-known for his blood vitalizing formulas. Both the traditional formulas and this version warm the abdomen and vitalize blood circulation. The Chinese theory is that coldness can cause the blood to "sludge," meaning that it becomes thickened and does not flow as easily, leading to pain or development of masses. This situation is similar to the one in which moisture congeals in the abdomen due to cold to form ovarian cysts or soft swellings (see explanatory notes for Cinnamon/Rehmannia). Lower Palace Tablets can be used for a wide range of abdominal disorders when there are indicators of cold (pale tongue, slow pulse, chilly feet, cold sensation in the abdomen) and blood stasis. The most common applications are for menstrual disorders, including menstrual cramping, irregular menstrual cycle (mainly a long cycle, which is another indicator of cold, or amenorrhea, an indicator of blood stasis) and masses on the reproductive organs. In cases where there is less cold or the problem is affected more by qi stagnation, Lindera 15 can substitute for this formula. Following successful treatment of a cold syndrome with Lower Palace Tablets, continued therapy with Lindera 15, which is not as strongly warming and dispersing, might be appropriate. The pair of typha and pteropus in the form of a powder comprises the traditional formula called Shixiao San, which is named for its ability to treat lower abdominal pain, allowing one to smile once again. These herbs, along with corydalis, are also key components of Corydalis 5, which treats acute pain and spasm.