NCCAOM Chinese Herbology Formulas Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient presents with a sensation of something caught in their throat that they can neither swallow nor expel, a stuffy feeling in the chest, and a moist, white tongue coating with a wiry, slippery pulse. Which of the following formulas is most indicated for this presentation?
- Xiao Chai Hu Tang
- Ban Xia Hou Po Tang (Correct answer)
- Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang
- Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang
Correct answer: Ban Xia Hou Po Tang
Ban Xia Hou Po Tang is the classic formula for 'Plum-Pit Qi,' which is caused by the stagnation of Qi and Phlegm in the throat. The key symptoms are the subjective sensation of a foreign body in the throat, along with chest stuffiness and a tongue and pulse indicating phlegm and Qi stagnation. Xiao Chai Hu Tang treats Shao Yang syndrome, Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang treats phlegm-cold obstructing the Lungs with Kidney Yang deficiency, and Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang treats rebellious Stomach Qi due to Stomach deficiency and heat.
Question 2: A 40-year-old female patient complains of irritability, premenstrual breast tenderness, and flank pain. She reports feeling stressed and her symptoms worsen with emotional upset. Her pulse is wiry and her tongue has a normal color. Which formula is best suited to address the root of this patient's complaints?
- Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
- Gui Pi Tang
- Xiao Yao San (Correct answer)
- Wen Jing Tang
Correct answer: Xiao Yao San
Xiao Yao San is the quintessential formula for Liver Qi Stagnation with underlying Liver Blood and Spleen Qi deficiency, a pattern commonly associated with stress, irritability, and PMS symptoms like breast tenderness. The wiry pulse is a classic sign of Liver Qi stagnation. Tao Hong Si Wu Tang is for blood stasis, Gui Pi Tang is for Heart and Spleen deficiencies, and Wen Jing Tang is for Chong and Ren channel deficiency-cold with blood stasis.
Question 3: Which of the following formulas is a foundational prescription for tonifying both Qi and Blood, and is created by combining Si Jun Zi Tang and Si Wu Tang?
- Shi Quan Da Bu Tang
- Ba Zhen Tang (Correct answer)
- Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
- Gui Pi Tang
Correct answer: Ba Zhen Tang
Ba Zhen Tang, or the 'Eight Treasure Decoction,' is formed by combining Si Jun Zi Tang (The Four Gentlemen Decoction) for tonifying Qi and Si Wu Tang (The Four Substances Decoction) for nourishing Blood. This makes it a primary formula for treating concurrent Qi and Blood deficiency. Shi Quan Da Bu Tang builds on Ba Zhen Tang by adding Huang Qi and Rou Gui to warm and tonify more strongly. Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang and Gui Pi Tang also address Qi and Blood but have different compositions and more specific indications.
Question 4: A patient presents with a sore lower back, dizziness, tinnitus, night sweats, and a dry mouth. The tongue is red with little coating, and the pulse is thready and rapid. This presentation is characteristic of Kidney Yin deficiency. What is the most appropriate base formula?
- Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan
- Zuo Gui Wan
- Da Bu Yin Wan
- Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan is the classic and fundamental formula for nourishing the Yin of the Liver and Kidneys. Its indications directly match the patient's symptoms of sore back, dizziness, tinnitus, and heat signs from Yin deficiency like night sweats and a red tongue. Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan is for Kidney Yang deficiency. Zuo Gui Wan also tonifies Kidney Yin but is stronger and used for more severe deficiency. Da Bu Yin Wan is for Yin deficiency with vigorous fire.
Question 5: A practitioner is treating a patient with an exterior wind-cold condition characterized by fever and chills, headache, body aches, and a lack of sweating. The pulse is floating and tight. Which of the following formulas is the primary choice for this excess-type wind-cold invasion?
- Gui Zhi Tang
- Yin Qiao San
- Ma Huang Tang (Correct answer)
- Sang Ju Yin
Correct answer: Ma Huang Tang
Ma Huang Tang is the representative formula for an exterior excess-type Wind-Cold attack, where cold is predominant and obstructs the Wei Qi. The key differentiating symptoms are the absence of sweating and a tight pulse, indicating the pores are closed and the pathogen is trapped. Gui Zhi Tang is for a deficiency-type wind-cold with sweating. Yin Qiao San and Sang Ju Yin are for wind-heat invasions.
Question 6: The formula Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) is a foundational Qi tonic. If a patient presents with the base pattern of Spleen Qi deficiency but also has significant dampness or phlegm, characterized by a cough with copious white sputum and a greasy tongue coating, which two herbs would be added to create Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction)?
- Mu Xiang and Sha Ren
- Cang Zhu and Hou Po
- Chen Pi and Ban Xia (Correct answer)
- Zhi Shi and Zhu Ru
Correct answer: Chen Pi and Ban Xia
Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) is created by adding Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) and Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) to the base formula of Si Jun Zi Tang. These two herbs are added specifically to dry dampness, transform phlegm, and regulate the Qi of the Middle Jiao, addressing the complications of phlegm-dampness on top of Spleen Qi deficiency.
NCCAOM Chinese Herbology Formulas Questions and Answers
A patient presents with a sensation of something caught in their throat that they can neither swallow nor expel, a stuffy feeling in the chest, and a moist, white tongue coating with a wiry, slippery pulse.
Which of the following formulas is most indicated for this presentation?