Graceful Branches is a rendition of the classical formula, Remove Obstruction Decoction (Juan Bi Tang). The delicate balance between Protective (Wei) Qi and Nutritive (Ying) Qi is pivotal in maintaining suppleness and the ability to withstand exposure to the elements. When this dynamic is lost, occasional weakness or tenderness and occasional stiffness and stagnation are felt as the effects of Wind, Damp or Cold invade and locally obstruct Qi. Sedentary jobs and poor diets, common to the modern lifestyle, also lead to Qi deficiency and Blood stasis, affecting the overall health of joints and limbs. Graceful Branches addresses a pattern of Wind Cold Damp Bi due to deficiency of Wei and Ying Qi, supporting healthy joints and tendons, especially those located in the upper body and extremities. Chinese red peony root replaces White peony root to enhance the invigorating quality of the formula. Red jujube fruit has been added to further tonify Blood, and Ginger rhizome to warm the Middle and expel Cold. Notopterygium root and rhizome and Siler root, the chief herbs in this formula, release the Exterior, disperse Cold, and unblock Wind Damp Cold invasions and stagnation, especially in the upper limbs and back. Astragalus root tonifies the underlying Qi deficiency and Red jujube fruit supplements both Defensive and Nutritive Qi. Turmeric rhizome, Dong quai root and Chinese red peony root invigorate Blood, move Qi and break up Blood stasis. These herbs gently nourish and invigorate Blood and augment the Wind clearing effect of the chief herbs, a sequence explained in Convenient Reader of Established Formulas (1904), “when the Blood moves, the Wind will be extinguished.” Chinese licorice root and rhizome supports the Spleen and boosts Qi, while Ginger rhizome warms the Middle and expels Cold. ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENTGraceful Branches is an associated formula of Remove Obstruction Decoction (Juan Bi Tang), which is found in Yi Xue Xin Wu, written by Cheng Guo-Peng. The associated formula, also known as Remove Obstruction Decoction and is found in Selected Formulas (Bai Yi Xuan Feng).
