Properties: Sour, sweet, slightly warm
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Spleen, Stomach and Liver
Divergent Channels: Stomach, Spleen
Extraordinary Vessels: Chong
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Reduces and guides out Food Stagnation and transforms accumulations
Accumulation of meats or greasy foods (proteins and fats) with abdominal distention, pain or diarrhea
- Transforms Blood Stasis, invigorates Blood circulation, lowers blood pressure and dissipates clumps
Postpartum abdominal pain and clumps due to Blood Stasis
Angina and coronary artery disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia
Hernial disorders (hernia)
- Stops diarrhea
Diarrhea in chronic dysentery-like disorders (toasted)
Suggested Daily Dosage: 10-15g in decoction, or up to 30g.
Cautions: Use with caution in cases of Spleen and Stomach deficiency with no signs of Food Stagnation, or those with acid regurgitation.
Potential side effects include dizziness, nausea, and digestive symptoms.
Interactions:
- Beta-adrenergic antagonists (digoxin, cisapride, quinidine): May increase the effects and side-effects.
- Nitrates: May have additive effects, increasing blood flow to the heart causing dizziness and lightheadedness.
- Beta-blockers: May have additive effect, making blood pressure too low.
- Calcium channel blockers: May have additive effect, making blood pressure too low.
- Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors (sildenafil/Viagra): Both can lower pressure so may cause it to become too low.
Notable Constituents: See
Wu et al. (2014) for a complete list of constituents, their pharmacology and potential applications.
Appears in 16 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
Bao He Wan (Preserve Harmony Pill)
From: Essential Teachings of Dan-Xi by Zhu Dan-Xi (1732)
Bao Tai Zi Sheng Wan (Protect the Foetus and Aid Life Pill)
From: Extensive Notes on Medicine from the First Awakened Studio (1613)
Chu Qi Han Shi Yu Fei Fang (Early Stage Cold-Damp Lung Stagnation Prescription)
From: Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia (Trial Version 7), Chinese Medical Journal 2020, 133(9): 1087-1095.
doi: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000000819 by Wei Pei-Fang (editor), National Health Commission & National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2020)
Da An Wan (Great Tranquility Pill)
From: Essential Teachings of Dan-Xi by Zhu Dan-Xi (1732)
Da He Zhong Yin (Major Harmonise the Middle Drink)
From: Collected Treatises of Jing-Yue by Zhang Jie Bin / Zhang Jing Yue (1624)
Fei Er Wan (Fat Baby Pill)
From: Golden Mirror of the Medical Tradition by Wu Qian (1742)
Jia Jian Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Modified Minor Bupleurum Decoction)
From: Six Texts on Cold Damage (1445) by Tao Hua
Jian Pi Wan (Strengthen the Spleen Pill)
From: Indispensable Tools for Pattern Treatment by Wang Ken-Tang (1602)
Jian Pi Wan (Strengthen the Spleen Pill)
From: Medical Formulas Collected and Analysed by Wang Ang (1682)
Qi Pi Wan (Open the Spleen Pill)
From: Restoration of Health from the Myriad Diseases by Gong Ting-Xian (1587)
Sheng Jiang San (Ascending and Descending Powder)
From: Systematic Differentiation of Cold Damage and Warm Epidemics (1748) by Yang Lishan
Si Jia Jian Zheng Qi San (Fourth Modification of Rectify the Qi Powder)
From: Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases by Wu Tang / Wu Ju Tong (1798)
Wu Shi Cha (High Noon Tea)
From: Experienced Internal and External Prescriptions for All Diseases by Anonymous (1820)
Xiang Sha Ping Wei San (Cyperus and Amomum Calm the Stomach Powder)
From: Golden Mirror of the Medical Tradition by Wu Qian (1742)
Xiao He Zhong Yin (Minor Harmonise the Middle Drink)
From: Collected Treatises of Jing-Yue by Zhang Jie Bin / Zhang Jing Yue (1624)
Zha Qu Ping Wei San (Hawthorn and Medicated Leaven Powder to Calm the Stomach)
From: Pathodynamics and Treatment Strategies in Chinese Medicine (1988)
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, and A+ Medical Encyclopaedia have been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
