Strengthen the Spleen Pill
Chinese Prescription: Jian Pi Wan
English Translation: Strengthen the Spleen Pill
Formula Type: Reduce Food Stagnation and Harmonize the Stomach
Actions: Breaks up qi stagnation, moves the blood, & reduces food & phlegm stagantion. Also controls excess & prevents damage of normal qi.
Indications: Treats Spleen deficiency [complicated by] food that has not been digested. This occurs when food accumulation, phlegm stagnation, & stasis in the interior [combine with] Spleen & Stomach deficiency.
Contraindications: Contraindicated for acute cases of food stagnation due to contaminated food, or from overconsumption of food & drink. Note the tonic strategy of the formula. If given in this situation, it will increase stagnation & increase symptoms.
Pinyin | English | Suggested Dosage |
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view: Ren Shen |
Panax Ginseng | 60g |
view: Bai Zhu |
White Atractylodes | 60g |
view: Chen Pi |
Tangerine / Citrus Peel | 60g |
view: Mai Ya |
Barley Sprout | 60g |
view: Shan Zha |
Crataegus Hawthorn Fruit | 45g |
view: Zhi Shi |
Bitter Orange, Unripened | 90g |
Ren Shen / Panax Ginseng | |||
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Taste: Sweet, Slightly Bitter • Temperature: Slightly Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Qi | |||
Dosage1-9g, up to 30 grams (hemorrhagic shock) |
ActionsRen Shen / Panax Ginseng is used in treating patterns of qi, yang & yin deficiency.1. Strongly tonifies the basal qi: for extreme collapse of the qi or abandoned conditions that manifest in shallow respiration, shortness of breath, cold limbs, profuse sweating, & a minute or weak pulse. The herb is used alone for this condition after severe loss of blood. 2. Tonifies the Lungs & augments the qi: for wheezing, shortness of breath, & labored breathing with exertion caused by Lung qi deficiency. There is usually also a concurrent failure of the Kidneys to grasp the qi. 3. Strengthens the Spleen & tonifies the Stomach: for lethargy, lack of appetite, chest & abdominal distention, chronic diarrhea, & in severe cases, prolapse of the stomach, uterus, or rectum. 4. Generates fluids & stops thirst: for wasting & thirsting disorders, as well as in cases when the qi & fluids have been injured by high fever & profuse sweating. 5. Benefits the Heart qi & calms the spirit: for palpitations with anxiety, insomnia, forgetfulness, & restlessness due to qi & blood deficiency. Notes: Red Ginseng is more warming than White Ginseng. American Ginseng is considered cool and is better suited for those patients having a tendency towards heat signs. |
MeridiansLung, Spleen |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with heat signs, heat excess, or in the absence of significant qi deficiency. Contraindicated for hypertensive patient with ascendant Liver yang, & in cases of very high blood pressure (systolic over 180mmHg). Overdose can lead to headache, insomnia, palpitations, & a rise in blood pressure. The traditional antidote is mung bean soup. This herb may antagonize wu ling zhi & may be incompatible with li lu. Patients taking this herb are advised to abstain from drinking tea & eating tunips, as this may reduce the effect of the herb. |
Bai Zhu / Atractylodes (White) Rhizome | |||
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Taste: Bitter, Sweet • Temperature: Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Qi | |||
Dosage4.5-9g |
Actions1. Tonifies the Spleen & augments the qi: for Spleen or Stomach deficiency with such symptoms as diarrhea, fatigue, lack of appetite, & vomiting.2. Strengthens the Spleen & dries dampness: for digestive disorders due to Spleen yang failing to rise, with loss of its ability to transform & subsequent accumulation of dampness. Also for edema & reduced urination associated with Spleen deficiency. Used as an auxiliary herb for damp painful obstruction. 3. Stabilizes the exterior & stops sweating: for spontaneous sweating due to qi deficiency. 4. Strengthens the Spleen & calms the fetus: for restless fetus disorder, especially when due to Spleen deficiency. Also for other types of this disorder when combined with appropriate herbs. |
MeridiansSpleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with heat signs, or injured fluids. |
Chen Pi / Citrus (Tangerine) Peel - Aged, Matured | |||
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Taste: Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Regulate Qi • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Regulates the qi, improves the transportive funaction of the Spleen, adjusts the middle, & relieves the diaphragm: for Spleen or Stomach, stagnant qi patterns with such symptoms as epigastic or abdominal distention, fullness, bloating, belching, & nausea & vomiting. This herb promotes the movement of qi in general while specifically directing it downward. Its is therefore commonly used in treating many different types of nausea & vomiting.2. Dries dampness & transforms phlegm: an important herb for phlegm-damp coughs with a stifling sensation in the chest & /or diaphragm, & copious, viscous sputum. Also used for damp turbidity obstructing the middle with a stifling sensation in the chest, abdominal distention, loss of appetite, fatigue, loose stool, & a thick, greasy tongue coating. An important qi-level herb of both the Spleen & Lung channels, it is especially appropriate for disorders involving both channels. 3. Helps prevent stagnation: used with tonifying herbs to prevent their cloying nature from causing stagnation. |
MeridiansLung, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of dry cough due to yin or qi deficiency. Use with caution when the tongue is red, & in cases with hot phlegm or dry heat coughs, or spittting of blood. |
Mai Ya / Barley Sprout, Malt | |||
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Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Relieve Food Stagnation • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage6-15g directly as powder, 12-30g decoction, up to 60g |
Actions1. Reduces food stagnation & strenghtens the Stomach: for poor digestion due to stagnation & accumulation of undigested starchy foods, as well as poorly digested milk in infants. Also for weak digestion & loss of appetite in cases of Spleen deficiency.2. Inhibits lactation: for woman who are discontinuing nursing, or for distended & painful breasts. 3. Facilitates the smooth flow of Liver qi: for constrained Liver qi manifesting as a stifling sensation & distention in the epigastrium or ribs, belching, & loss of appetite. |
MeridiansLiver, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsIf taken long-term this herb may injure the Kidneys. |
Shan Zha / Hawthorn Fruit (Chinese) | |||
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Taste: Sour, Sweet • Temperature: Slightly Warm • Category: Relieve Food Stagnation • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage9-15g, up to 30g alone |
Actions1. Reduces & guides out food stagnation: for accumulation due to meat or greasy foods with accompanying symptoms of abdomnal distention, pain, or diarrhea.2. Transforms blood stasis & dissipates clumps: for post partum abdomnal pain & clumps due to blood stasis. Also for hernial disorders. 3. Stops diarrhea: the partially charred herb is used for diarrhea of chronic dysentary-like disorders. 4. Also used recently for hypertension, coronary artery disease, & elevated serum cholesterol. |
MeridiansLiver, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsUse with caution in cases of Spleen or Stomach deficiency without food stagnation, & in cases of acid regurgitation. |
Zhi Shi / Orange (Bitter) unripened, immatured fruit | |||
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Taste: Bitter, Acrid • Temperature: Slightly Cold • Category: Regulate Qi • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Breaks up stagnant qi & reduces accumulation: for epigastric or abdominal pain & distention or indigestion with focal distention or gas.2. Directs the qi downward & unblocks the bowels: frequently used for abdominal pain & constipation caused by accumulation & stagnant qi. Also used for dystentric diarrhea that is difficult, with or without tenesmus. 3. Transforms phlegm & expels focal distention: for focal distention & fullness in the chest & epigastrium due tp phlegm obstructing the qi mechanism. 4. Also used with qi tonifying herbs for gastriectasis, gastroptosis, rectal prolapse, or uterine prolapse. recently used to raise blood pressure. |
MeridiansLarge Intestine, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsUse with caution during pregnancy, or in cases where the normal qi is weak or there is Stomach cold from deficiency. |