One case of classic formula ChaiXian Tang helping with no appetite

A woman in her sixties came to see me, complaining that she had been unable to eat anything and had been constipated for two weeks following a cold. Her pulse was wiry and slippery, with a thin pulse at the chi position, and her tongue had a greasy coating in the middle. The previous doctor had treated her with liver-clearing and strong purgative methods for a week with little effect. Upon further inquiry, she also reported experiencing a bitter taste in her mouth, dry throat, and dizziness—all indicative of Chai Xian Tang syndrome with accompanying yin deficiency. Therefore, I prescribed medication for five days.

When she returned a week later, she reported some improvement and was able to eat, but still felt a blockage in her chest. I believed the treatment should have been more effective. Upon closer questioning, I discovered she had only purchased three doses of the medication and had taken each dose over two days. This dosage is more appropriate for children, so it was no surprise that the expected results were not achieved. I emphasized to her the importance of following the prescribed dosage instructions.

When a diagnosis is accurately determined, the expected range of treatment outcomes should be clear without needing to wait for patient feedback. If the treatment is not effective, it usually comes down to two main factors: the quality of the medicine or the patient not following the prescribed instructions.