Tianma, Cassia Seed, and Kelp Soup，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Calms the liver and subdues yang. Suitable for migraines caused by liver yang hyperactivity.
the cool-cold character of the formula suggests restraint in those with yang deficiency or habitual loose stools; the cooling, heat-draining herbs are not suited to those with underlying deficiency-cold of the spleen and stomach
Commentary
Tianma occupies the sovereign position; with neutral nature and sweet flavor, having Liver tropism, it calms the liver, extinguishes wind, and unblocks the meridians and becomes the guiding principle of the whole formula. The ministerial support — cassia seeds (of slightly cold nature and sweet, bitter, salty flavor, entering the Liver, Kidney, Large Intestine, clears liver heat, brightens the eyes and moistens the intestines), and kelp (nature cold, flavor salty, channeled into the Liver, Stomach, Kidney, softens hardness, disperses nodules, resolves phlegm, and promotes diuresis) — reinforces the sovereign’s main effect and coordinates the drug strength. Finished with scallions, harmonizing the stomach and supporting dietary nourishment, and ginger, acting as the envoy to harmonize the various ingredients, the formula attains a regulated, neither-excess nor-deficient balance. Viewed as a whole, the formula addresses the liver-yang presentation, treating both root and branch.