Fire the Yang is a modification of Regulate the Middle Pill (Li Zhong Wan), containing all of the herbs of Regulate the Middle Pill and adding prepared Aconite root. The focus of the formula is twofold: strengthening and warming the Earth Element, which is the Spleen and Stomach, and warming the Interior to dispel Cold. Fire the Yang warms the Yang of the Spleen and Kidneys and allows for proper ascending and descending of the Spleen and Stomach Qi respectively. It also restores the proper balance between the turbid Yin descending and the clear Yang ascending. It addresses Damp accumulation presenting with internal Cold. One historical model of the Five Elements discussed that the Earth was the center of all the five elements and was a part of each of them. In this model, cycling through the elements only occurred through a transition to the Earth Element. Instead of the cycle flowing in typical Five Element style – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water – the cycle would be Earth, Wood, Earth, Fire, Earth, Metal, Earth, Water. This theory states that the Earth, Spleen and Stomach, comprise the “Central Pivot”, also known as the Middle Burner, and are the source of the postnatal Qi supply for the body. Improper diet or taxing lifestyles can weaken the Spleen and Stomach, and the Digestive Fire. Once weakened, Spleen Qi deficiency appears, and internal Cold Damp can easily accumulate. Over time, Spleen Qi deficiency combined with Cold Damp creates Yang deficiency of the Middle Burner, which in turn begins to deplete the Kidney Yang, the root of all Yang. There can be signs of occasional digestive weakness, occasional aversion to cold with the body giving off heat, occasional loose stools and occasional generalized lethargy. This formula can also be used in circumstances where, due to deficient Yang, there is an improper processing of fluids in the body that manifest as occasional frothy, foamy expectoration. The Spleen, which normally ascends the clear Yang and the essential nutrients, is deficient, and instead is ascending turbid Yin fluids to the Lungs. All of the herbs in this formula have a warming nature to expel Cold from the Interior, fortify the clear Yang in its ascending function, and strengthen Kidney Yang. Ginger rhizome strongly warms the Spleen and Stomach, dispels Cold from the Interior and warms the Yang. White Asian ginseng root and rhizome strongly tonifies the Yuan, or Source, Qi, strengthens the Spleen and Lung Qi and supports the proper ascending and descendingfunctions for the Middle Burner. White atractylodes rhizome strengthens the Spleen Qi, dries Dampness and supports healthy urination. Honey fried Chinese licorice root and rhizome harmonizes the actions of all the herbs and strengthens the Qi of the Middle Burner. The honey fried preparation increases its ability to strengthen the Middle Burner. Prepared aconite root strengthens and warms Kidney Yang and the Mingmen Fire. It tonifies the Spleen and Kidney, dispels Cold and guides the actions of the other herbs in the formula to all twelve channels. Origins and DevelopmentRegulate the Middle Pill (Li Zhong Wan), Aconite Accessory Root Pill that Regulates the Middle (Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan).
