Ginger, Loach, and Tofu Soup，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Clears heat, drains dampness, promotes bile secretion, and alleviates jaundice. Suitable for acute viral hepatitis.
the formula leans toward clearing and moistening; those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold, excess damp-phlegm, or yang deficiency should not take it for long
Commentary
The sovereign is ginger, of warm nature and pungent flavor, entering the Lung, Spleen, Stomach; it disperses cold, relieves cough and harmonizes the stomach, anchoring the central strategy of the formula. The ministerial layer, loaches (of neutral nature and sweet flavor, entering the Spleen, Kidney, tonifies the middle and qi, dispels dampness, and invigorates kidney yang), and tofu (nature cool, flavor sweet, channeled into the Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, tonifies qi, harmonizes the stomach, generates fluid, and clears heat), lends support that reinforces the sovereign’s main effect. The formula is rounded out by rice wine, acting as the envoy to harmonize the various ingredients, keeping the combination balanced and well-tempered. Viewed as a whole, the formula addresses the damp-heat presentation, treating both root and branch.