Pinellia and Magnolia Bark Decoction
Chinese Prescription: Ban Xia Hou Po Tang
English Translation: Pinellia and Magnolia Bark Decoction
Formula Type: Promote the Movement of Qi
Actions: Promotes the movement of qi, dissipates clumps, directs rebellious qi downward, & transforms phlegm.
Indications: A feeling of something caught in the throat tha can neither be swallowed nor ejected, a stifling sensation in the chest & hypochondria, a moist or greasy, white tongue coating, & a wiry, slow or wiry, slippery pulse. There may also be coughing & vomiting. This condition in known as plum-pit qi & is the result of emotional upset due to circumstances that the patient figuratively cannot swallow.
Contraindications: This formula is comprised of warm, acrid, or fragrant substances, which are drying & dispersing in nature & can readily injure the yin & fluids. Thus, the formula is appropriate only in cases of constrained qi & phlegm. It is contraindicated in patients presenting with a flushed face, a bitter taste in mouth, & a red tongue with scanty coating.
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Ban Xia / Pinellia (Prepared) |
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Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Transform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Warm & Transform Phlegm Cold |
Dosage4.5-12g |
Actions1. Dries dampness, transforms phlegm, & causes rebellious qi to descend: for cough with copious sputum, as in conditions of phlegm-cold in the Lungs. Especially effective in transforming phlegm due to dampness of the Spleen.
2. Harmonizes the Stomach & stops vomiting: for lingering phlegm-dampness in the Stomach that rebels upward, causing nausea & vomiting.
3. Dissipates nodules & reduces distention: for nodules, pressure, distention, or pain due to phlegm lingering in the chest, phlegm nodules in the neck (such as those of goiter & scrofula), or obstructions caused by phlegm anywhere in the body. Also for focal distention in the chest & epigastrium. |
MeridiansLung, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in all cases of bleeding, cough due to yin deficiency, or depleted fluids. Use with caution in all cases with heat. May be incompatible with wu tou. Toxic: overdosage symptoms include feeling of burning & numbness in the throat, lips, queasy stomach & nausea, & a feeling of pressure in the chest. For recovery, administer raw ginger orally. |
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Hou Po / Magnolia Bark |
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Taste: Bitter, Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Qi Regulating / Moving; Transform Damp - Aromatic • Sub Category: |
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Regulates qi & reduces stagnation of the middle jiao: Key herb for treatment of qi stagnation of the Spleen & Stomach that is causing epigastric & abdominal fullness & distention, loss of appetite, & poor digestion. Indispensable herb when treating bloating, distention, & other related signs of qi stagnation.
2. Regulates qi circulation & dries dampness. Clinically qi stagnation with accumulation of dampness in the middle jiao is characterized by epigastric & abdominal fullness, nausea, vomiting, decreased intake of food, & a greasy tongue coat.
3. Descends qi, dissolves phlegm, relieves wheezing: treats cough & wheezing when phlegm blacks the normal circulation of qi in the Lung. Best for tightness in the chest, dyspnea, & cough & wheezing accompanied by profuse phlegm. |
MeridiansLarge Intestine, Lung, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsUse with caution during pregnancy or in cases of qi deficiency. Hou po has a mild anticoagulant effect, & should be used with caution in patients who take anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications. Unprocessed hou po is sometimes irritating to the throat & may cause nausea. Processing it with sheng jiang reduces bitterness & the stimulatory effect, & is less likely to cause nausea & stomach discomfort. |
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Fu Ling / Poria, Hoelen, Tuckahoe |
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Taste: Sweet, Bland • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Drain Damp • Sub Category: |
Dosage9-15g, up to 60g |
Actions1. Promotes urination & leaches out dampness: for urinary difficulty, diarrhea, or edema due to stagnation of fluids or dampness. Also used in cases of scanty urine due to damp-heat (more often in its red form).
2. Strengthens the Spleen & harmonizes the middle burner: for Spleen deficiency compounded by dampness with such symptoms as loss of appetite, diarrhea, & epigastric distention.
3. Strengthens the Spleen & transforms phlegm: for Spleen deficiency with congested fluids in which phlegm moves upward with such symptoms as palpitations, headache, dizziness, & a thick, greasy tongue coating.
4. Quites the Heart & calms the spirit: for palpiations, insomnia, or forgetfulness. |
MeridiansHeart, Spleen, Lung |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of frequent, copious urine due to cold from deficiency. May counteract di yu, qin jiao & bie jia. Taking this herb in large doses or long-term is discouraged. |
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Sheng Jiang / Ginger (market fresh) Rhizome |
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Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Exterior Releasing - Warm • Sub Category: |
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Releases the exterior & disperses cold: for exterior cold patterns.
2. Warms the middle burner & alleviates vomiting: for cold in the Stomach, especially where there is vomiting.
3. Disperses cold & stops coughing: for coughing due to both acute wind-cold cough patterns & chronic Lung disorders with phlegm.
4. Reduces the toxicty of other herbs: for detoxifying or treating overdoses from other herbs such as fu zi or ban xia.
5. Adjusts the nutritive & protective qi: for patients suffering from exterior deficiency who sweat without an improvement in their condition. |
MeridiansLung, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of Lung heat, or Stomach heat with vomiting. |
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Zi Su Ye / Perilla Leaf |
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Taste: Acrid, Aromatic • Temperature: Warm • Category: Exterior Releasing - Warm • Sub Category: |
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Releases the exterior & disperses cold: for externally contracted wind-cold with such symptoms as fever, chills, headache, nasal congestion, or cough.
2. Releases the exterior & disperses cold: for exterior disorders with headache & nasal congestion accompanied by cough or a stifling sensation in the chest.
3. Promotes the movement of qi & expands the chest: for nausea, vomting, or poor appetite.
4. Use during pregnancy: for calming a restless fetus, or for morning sickness.
5. Alleviates seafood poisoning: used either alone or with other herbs. |
MeridiansLung, Spleen |
CautionsContraindicated for patterns of exterior deficiency with pronounced sweating, & for patterns of damp-heat. |