Alembic Herbals' Bupleurum & Four Substances Compared to Blue Poppy Herbs' ColdQuell

Both these two formulas are founded on a combination of Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) and Si Wu Tang (Four Materials Decoction). This basic combination is first recorded by Zhang Yuan-su in the Song dynasty. According to Z'ev Rosenberg, Alembic Herbals' formulator, his version is for the treatment of external contraction of wind cold during menstruation as well as a wide range of vacuity taxation disorders. The Alembic Herbals' version adds Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (Dan Shen) and Rhizoma Cyperi Rotundi (Xiang Fu) to more forcefully quicken the blood and move the qi. The Blue Poppy version adds the two main ingredients of Yin Qiao San (Lonicera & Forsythia Powder), i.e., Flos Lonicerae Japonicae (Jin Yin Hua) and Fructus Forsythiae Suspensae (Lian Qiao) as well as Radix Isatidis Seu Baphicacanthi (Ban Lan Gen), Radix Scrophulariae Ningpoensis (Xuan Shen), Fructus Arctii Lappae (Niu Bang Zi), and Radix Platycodi Grandiflori (Jie Geng) to clear heat and resolve the exterior as well as resolve toxins, scatter nodulation, and disinhibit the throat. The Blue Poppy version is specifically for the early stage treatment of colds and flus characterized by sore throat due to a wind heat external contraction superimposed onto a righteous qi vacuity in turn due to a liver-spleen disharmony.

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