Chili Pepper and Beef Tendon Soup，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Dispels wind and cold, transforms dampness, and unblocks the meridians. Suitable for rheumatoid arthritis of the wind-cold-damp bi type.
because it runs warm overall, this decoction is best avoided in yin-deficient, fire-prone constitutions; in the absence of frank deficiency, or where an excess or heat pattern prevails, indiscriminate warming tonic use is inadvisable
Commentary
Pointed chili peppers occupies the sovereign position; of hot nature and pungent flavor, entering the Spleen, Stomach, it warms the middle, dissipates cold, and opens the appetite and becomes the guiding principle of the whole formula. The ministerial support — beef tendon (with neutral nature and sweet flavor, having Liver, Kidney tropism, tonifies the liver and kidneys and strengthens the sinews and bones), and star anise (nature warm, flavor pungent, channeled into the Liver, Kidney, Spleen, Stomach, warms yang, dispels cold, regulates qi, and relieves pain) — reinforces the sovereign’s main effect and coordinates the drug strength. The formula is rounded out by peppercorns, tempering the formula’s tendency, and carrots, harmonizing the stomach and supporting dietary nourishment, and scallions, harmonizing the stomach and supporting dietary nourishment, and ginger, acting as the envoy to harmonize the various ingredients, keeping the combination balanced and well-tempered. Together the herbs converge on this action, in accord with the wind-cold pattern.