TCM Clinical Simulator

The Book of Modules: Interactive Case Study 4

Patient Clinical Intake File
Demographics 37 y/o Male
Chief Complaint (Biao)

Repeated episodes of sharp, boring epigastric pain. The pain is relieved by eating, but made worse by stress and emotions.

Secondary Presentation & History

Acid reflux, exceptionally strong appetite (hungry again soon after eating), highly restless/energetic. Often bad tempered and angry.

Objective Physical Diagnostic Markers
Tongue Evaluation Reddish purple, redder on the sides, dry yellow coat

Reddish-purple indicates stasis; red sides suggest Liver heat; dry yellow coat confirms Stomach fire.

Pulse Diagnostics Slippery, full, and wiry

Slippery/full shows excess heat & dampness; wiry confirms Liver fire constraint and intense pain.

Book of Modules Reference Quick-Sheet
Huang Lian/Sheng Ma: Drain Stomach Fire
Long Dan Cao/Zhi Zi: Clear Liver Fire
Wu Ling Zi/Yan Hu Suo: Activate blood, stop epigastric pain
He Huan Pi: Calm Shen, resolve constrained anger
Shi Jue Ming/Mu Li: Subdue Yang, absorb excess acid
Hai Piao Xiao: Direct acid-rebellion stopper
Phase 1 of 5

Diagnostic Assessment & Pattern Identification

Evaluate the clinical data. The combination of burning epigastric pain, immense hunger, acid reflux, emotional anger/wiriness, and dry yellow tongue coat points to which underlying disharmony?

Phase 2 of 5

Formulating the Treatment Strategy

Every successful clinical protocol links specific symptom groups directly to their appropriate strategic healing targets.

Presentation A

Insatiable appetite, hungry soon after eating, acid reflux, with dry yellow tongue coat.

Presentation B

Sharp, boring epigastric pain relieved by eating, red sides, with reddish-purple tongue.

Presentation C

Bad temper, angry episodes, high restlessness, and severe reflux regurgitation.

Phase 3 of 5

Herb Cabinet: Module Selection

Consult the *Book of Modules*. Pick the most precise herbal combination to clear the fire, relieve sharp pain, calm anger, and arrest acid backup.

1. Drain Stomach Fire Required

2. Drain Liver Fire Required

3. Epigastric Pain (Blood Activation) Required

4. Anger & Acid Reflux Combined Required

Phase 4 of 5

Dosing Decisions & Customizations

Dosing dictates clinical efficacy. Formulate the correct target weights for the patient's acute boring pain and excess fires, and manage overlapping ingredients.

Module 3 (Boring Epigastric Pain)

Primary Chief Complaint: sharp, boring pain congealed by blood stasis.

Modules 1 & 2 (Stomach & Liver Fire)

Underlying excess heat pathogens generating insatiable hunger and red tongue sides.

Module 4 (Anger / Reflux Support)

Secondary emotional tension and heavy mineral shell acids.

The acid reflux stopper *Hai Piao Xiao* operates in a module containing *Shi Jue Ming* and *Mu Li*. Since *Shi Jue Ming* and *Mu Li* are already written inside the Anger module, checking this box merges them so they do not duplicate in the prescription.

Phase 5 of 5

Final Formula Prescription & Clinical Summary

Below is the complete compound herbal prescription compiled from your modular choices. Review the final dosage adjustments and clinical rationale.

Composite Prescription (Decoction) 1 Bag Daily (Divided Doses)

Module 1: Drain Stomach Fire

Huang Lian (Rz. Coptidis): 6g
Sheng Ma (Rz. Cimicifugae): 6g

Module 2: Drain Liver Fire

Long Dan Cao (Rx. Gentianae): 6g
Huang Qin (Rx. Scutellariae): 9g
Zhi Zi (Fr. Gardeniae): 6g

Module 3: Epigastric Pain (Chief Complaint priority)

Wu Ling Zi (Feces Trogopterorum): 9g (High Range)
Yan Hu Suo (Rx. Corydalis): 9g (High Range)

Module 4: Calm Shen (Anger) & Acid Reflux Overlaps Consolidated

He Huan Pi (Cx. Albizziae): 12g
Shi Jue Ming (Concha Haliotidis): 15g
Mu Li (Concha Ostreae): 15g
Hai Piao Xiao (Os Sepiae): 9g
Note: Reflux support requires Shi Jue Ming (15g) and Mu Li (15g) listed again.

Clinical Takeaway:

  • Consolidation Synergy: *Shi Jue Ming* and *Mu Li* serve double-duty as heavy anchors to subdue angry Liver Yang and as alkalizing calcium shells that coat the stomach and relieve acid regurgitation. Listing them once keeps the prescription pristine.
  • Targeted Blood Invigoration: Epigastric pain characterized as "sharp" and "boring" is congealed blood stasis. Satiating this complaint requires the highest dosage range of the *Wu Ling Zi / Yan Hu Suo* pair (9g each).
  • Anger & Acid Feedback: Uncontrolled anger generates constrained Liver fire, which immediately stimulates severe Stomach acid secretions. Calming the mind with *He Huan Pi* is key to stopping the physiological root of reflux.