[Essence of professor SHI Xin-de's experience in application of persicae ramulus-associated prescriptions]

Persicae Ramulus decoction, as the first prescription in Treatise on febrile Diseases, has been recommended by physicians of successive generations. It is also the general prescription for harmonizing yingfen and weifen, yin and yang, qi and blood. Although it only consists of five herbal medicines, it has a wider range of application and more categorized formulas than other prescriptions. Though Persicae Ramulus decoction was originally formulated to treat taiyang apoplexy, it has functions beyond the treatment of exopathic diseases. This formula is also effective in treating internal diseases, surgical diseases, gynecologic diseases, paediatric diseases, etc. KE Yun-bo praised it as the No. 1 formula among ZHANG Zhong-jin's formulas as well as the general prescription for harmonizing Yin and Yang, yingfen and weifen, resolving fleshy exterior and inducing perspiration. Professor SHI Xin-de has been expert at treating intractable diseases by using Persicae Ramulus-associated prescriptions, such as Xiaojianzhong decoction and Baohe pill for children's chronic eczema, Persicae Ramulus and Puerariae Lobatae Radix decoction and Yupingfeng powder for chronic nephritis, and Persicae Ramulus and Longgu Muli decoction for insomnia. Instead of being restricted to Chinese or Western disease names, he prescribed appropriate formulas according to syndromes, thereby achieving a good efficacy.