Light formula is one of the ten functional types of formularies. It refers to formulas which mainly use light

ascending and dispersive herbs

and treat diseases and syndromes in upper-jiao or body surface. Heavy formulas and major prescriptions are common among current Chinese prescriptions. Light formulas are gradually neglected.Prof. WEI Zhongmin is good at using light formulas to treat clinical syndromes. For example

clear and dispersive herbs are applied to eliminate excessive pathogen in upper-jiao. Pungent and cool natured herbs combined with assistant herbs of bitter and sweet natured are applied to dispelling wind pathogens in upper-jiao

such as Sangye [Folium Mori

桑叶]

Juhua [Flos Chrysanthemi

菊花]

Jinyinhua [Lonicera Japonica thunb.

金银花]

Lianqiao [Forsythia Suspensa vahl

连翘] etc. Light

bitter and flowing herbs are applied to disperse Qi depression in middle-jiao. Herbs of aromatics combined with assistant herbs of pungent and cool natured are applied to disperse dampness pathogen in middle-jiao. Huoxiang [Agastache Rugosus

藿香]

Peilan [Herba Eupatori

佩兰]

Baikouren [Amomum Cardamomum

白蔻仁] etc. are mostly used. To disperse dampness-heat of spleen and stomach

low doses of Zhimu [Rhizoma Anemarrhenae

知母]

Huangbai [Cortex Phellodendri

黄柏]

Huashi [speckstone

滑石] etc. are used. Herbs of light and strengthening vital Qi are applied to eliminate pathogen in deficient individuals. Sweet and warm natured herbs combined with assistant herbs of pungent and cool natured are applied to strengthening spleen and stomach.Dangshen [Radix Codonopsis

党参]

Huangqi [Astragalus Mongholicus

黄芪]

Shengma [Rhizoma Cimicifugae

升麻]

Chaihu [Radix Bupleuri

柴胡]etc. are used as appropriate.