Aucklandia and Betel Nut Pill
Chinese Prescription: Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan
English Translation: Aucklandia and Betel Nut Pill
Formula Type: Reduce Food Stagnation
Actions: Promotes the movement of qi, guides out stagnation, purges accumulation, & drains heat.
Indications: Focal & generalized distention, fullness, & pain in the epigastrium & abdomen accompanied by constipation; or red-and-white dysenteric diarrhea with tenesmus. In all cases, there will be a yellow, greasy tongue coating, & a submerged & excessive pulse.
Contraindications: Contraindicated in cases with deficiency, since the formula may further injure the normal qi & thereby aggravate the condition.
Pinyin | English | Suggested Dosage |
---|---|---|
view: Mu Xiang |
Aucklandia / Saussurea | 3g |
view: Bing Lang |
Areca (Betel Nut) Seed | 3g |
view: Da Huang |
Rhubarb Root | 9g |
view: Qian Niu Zi |
Morning Glory Seeds | 12g |
view: Qing Pi |
Tangerine / Citrus Peel, Unripened | 3g |
view: Chen Pi |
Tangerine / Citrus Peel | 3g |
view: Xiang Fu |
Cyperus / Nut-grass | 12g |
view: E Zhu |
Zedoaria | 3g |
view: Zhi Ke |
Bitter Orange, Ripened | 3g |
view: Huang Lian |
Coptis / Goldthread | 3g |
view: Huang Bai |
Phellodenron Bark | 9g |
Mu Xiang / Saussurrea or Aucklandia Root | |||
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Taste: Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Regulate Qi • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage1.5-9g |
Actions1. Promotes the movement of qi & alleviates pain: for Speen or Stomach stagnant qi with such symptoms as lack of appetite, epigastric or abdominal pain or distention, nausea, & vomiting. Also used for stagnant Liver or Gallbladder qi with such symptoms as flank pain, distention, or soreness.2. Adjusts & regulates stagnant qi in the Intestines: for diarrhea & dysentric disrders, or for abdominal pain & tenesmus. Because of its slightly astringent property, this is a common herb for treatnig tenesmus. 3. Strengthens the Spleen & prevents stagnation: used with tonifying herbs to ameliorate their side effects. Especially useful when the transformative & transportive functions of the Spleen are weak. |
MeridiansGallbladder, Large Intestine, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency or depleted fluids. |
Bing Lang / Betel Nut, Areca Seeds | |||
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Taste: • Temperature: • Category: Expel Parasites • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage6-12g, 60-120g alone for tapeworms |
Actions |
Meridians |
Cautions |
Da Huang / Rhubarb Rhizome | |||
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Taste: Bitter • Temperature: Cold • Category: Downward Draining • Sub Category: Purgative | |||
Dosage3-12g |
Actions1. Drains heat & purges accumulations: for high fever, profuse sweating, thirst, constipation, abdominal pain & distention, delirium, yellow tongue coating, & a full pulse. This presentation is referred to either as Intestinal heat excess or the yang brightness organ-stage of the six stages of disease.2. Drains damp-heat via the stool, especially in cases of damp-heat jaundice or acute, hot dysentric disorders. Also for painful urinary dysfunction. 3. Drains heat from the blood: for blood in the stool either from bleeding hemorrhoids or heat accumulating in the Intestines. Also for reckless movement of hot blood that overflows, manifested in vomiting blood or nosebleed accompanied by constipation. 4. Invigorates the blood & dispels blood stasis: for amenorrhea, immobile abdominal masses, or fixed pain due to blood stasis. Also for blood stasis due to traumatic injury or Intestinal abscess. This is an important herb for treating both recent & long-terms blood stasis. 5. Clears heat obstructing the blood level: for fever, hot, swollen & painful eyes, or fire toxin sores due to heat excess obstructing the blood level. 6. Clears heat & reduces fire toxicity: used either topically or internally for burns or hot skin lesions. |
MeridiansHeart, Large Intestine, Liver, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of exterior disorders, qi or blood deficiency, cold from deficiency of the Spleen & Stomach. Use with exteme caution during pregnancy, menstruation, or post partum. Contraindicated for nursing mothers because the active ingredients enter the milk. |
Qian Niu Zi / Morning Glory Seeds | |||
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Taste: Bitter, Acrid • Temperature: Cold • Category: Downward Draining • Sub Category: Cathartic | |||
Dosage4.5-9g decoction, 1.5-3g alone as powder |
Actions1. Drives out water: for heat accumulation in the Stomach or Intestines with such symptoms as severe constipation, abdominal distention, & urninary difficulty. Water is expelled through both the urine & stool.2. Unblocks the bowels & removes accumulation: for constipation due to accumulation & stagnation of damp-heat in the Stomach & Intestines. The dosage here is less than for the previous function. 3. Drives out phlegm & congested fluids: for cough, wheezing, & a sensation of fullness in the chest & abdomen due to congested fluids obstructing the Lungs. |
MeridiansKidney, Large Intestine, Lung, Small Intestine |
CautionsContraindicated during pregnancy. Use with caution in cases of qi deficiency or weak stomach. It can be toxic in large doses, causing symptoms such as nausea & vomiting due to direct stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract. A large dose can also affect the kidneys, leading to hematuria as well as neurological symptoms. |
Qing Pi / Tangerine (unripened) Peel | |||
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Taste: Bitter, Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Regulate Qi • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Spreads the Liver qi & breaks up stagnant qi: for constrained Liver qi patterns with such symptoms as distention & pain in the chest, breast, or hypochondriac regions, or hernial pain.2. Dissipates clumps & reduces stagnation: for food stagnation with accumulation which manifests as pain, distention, or a stifling sensation in the epigastrium. Often used for rather severe food stagantion, & for masses when stagnant qi progresss to blood stasis. 3. Dries dampness & transforms phlegm: for phlegm dampness with malarial disorders. Especially useful for breast abscesses with this etiology. 4. Recently used for raising blood pressure. |
MeridiansGallbladder, Liver, Stomach |
CautionsUse with caution in cases of qi deficiency. |
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. |
Xiang Fu / Cyperus Rhizome "Nut-grass" | |||
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Taste: Acrid, Slightly Bitter, Slightly Sweet • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Regulate Qi • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage4.5-12g |
Actions1. Spreads & regulatew Liver qi: for constrained Liver qi patterns with hypochondriac pain & epigastric distention, as well as disharmony between the Liver & Spleen. The neutral property of this herb together with its ability to dispers & harmonize account for its widespread use.2. Regulates menstruation & alleviates pain: used to facilitate the flow of Liver qi in gynecological disorders with such signs as dysmenorrhea or irregular menstruation. |
MeridiansLiver, Triple Burner |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of qi deficiency without stagnation, & yin deficiency or heat in the blood. |
E Zhu / Curcuma Rhizome | |||
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Taste: Bitter, Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Regulate Blood • Sub Category: Invigorate Blood | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Breaks up blood stasis: promotes the movement of qi, & alleviates pain: for abdominal pain, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, abdominal masses, epigastric masses due to blood stasis.2. Dissolves accumulations & alleviates pain: for pain, distention, fullness, & constriction in the chest & abdomen due to food stagantion. Also for childhood nutritional impairment. |
MeridiansLiver, Spleen |
CautionsContraindicated during pregnancy. Use with caution in cases with blood & qi deficiency, or where there is excessive menstruation. |
Zhi Ke / Orange (Bitter), ripened fruit | |||
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Taste: Bitter • Temperature: Cool • Category: Regulate Qi • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage3-9g |
ActionsSee zhi shi. Milder in action than zhi shi, zhi ki is used to move the qi & reduce distention & pressure. It is especially appropriate when the patient is deficient or weak. If there is constipation, zhi shi is a more approoppriate choice. |
MeridiansSpleen, Stomach |
CautionsUse with caution during pregnancy, or in cases where the normal qi is weak or there is Stomach cold from deficiency. |
Huang Lian / Coptis Rhizome | |||
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Taste: Bitter • Temperature: Cold • Category: Clear Heat • Sub Category: Drain Damp | |||
Dosage1.5-9g |
Actions1. Drains fire & relieves toxicity for heat with blazing fire with such symptoms as high fever, irritability, disorientation, delirium, red tongue, & a rapid full pulse. Also for exessive heat with toxicity with such symptoms as painful, red eyes & sore throat & for boils, carbuncles, & abscesses.2. Clears heat & drains dampness: for damp-heat in the Stomach or Intestines that presents with diarrhea or dysenteric disorder. Also for vomiting &/or acid regurgitation due to Stomach heat. 3. Clears Heart fire: for irritability & insomnia due to lack of communication between the Heart & Kidneys. 4. Clears heat & stops bleeding: for nosebleed, or blood in the urine, stool, or vomit due to reckless moevement of the blood. 5. Drains Stomach fire: for digestive dysfunction with bad breath & belching with a putrid odor. 6. Clears heat topically: used topically for red & painful eyes & ulcerations of the tongue & mouth. |
MeridiansHeart, Large Intestine, Liver, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency, nausea or vomiting due to Stomach cold from deficiency, & diarrhea due to Spleen or Kidney deficiency. Long-term use is discouraged as it can injure the Spleen & Stomach. This herb may antagonize ju hua, xuan shen, bai xian pi, & jiang can, & may counteract kuan dong hua & niu xi. Some also say that it should not be taken with pork. |
Huang Bai / Phellodendron Bark | |||
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Taste: Bitter • Temperature: Cold • Category: Clear Heat • Sub Category: Drain Damp | |||
Dosage3-12g |
Actions1. Drains damp-heat, particularly from the lower-burner: for such problems as thick, yellow vaginal discharge, foul-smelling diarrhea, or dysenteric disorder. Also for damp-heat pouring downward or hot leg qi with such symptoms as red, swollen, & painful knees, legs, or feet. Also for damp-heat jaundice.2. Drains Kidney fire: for ascending Kindey fire with signs of yin deficiency such as steaming bone disorder, night sweats, afternoon fevers & sweating, sometimes accompanied by nocturnal emissions & spermatorrhea. 3. Drains fire & relieves toxicity: for fire toxin generated sores & damp lesions of the skin. |
MeridiansKidney, Bladder |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of Spleen deficiency with or without diarrhea. Toxicity: There has been one case reported of a patient who developed a rash after ingestion of huang bai. When the patient was later skin-tested, there was a very strong local reaction. |