Ginseng, Poria, and Atractylodes Macrocephalea Powder
Chinese Prescription: Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
English Translation: Ginseng, Poria, and Atractylodes Macrocephalea Powder
Formula Type: Tonify Qi
Actions: Augments the qi, strengthens the Spleen, leaches out dampness, & stops diarrhea.
Indications: Loose stools or diarrhea, reduced appetite, weakness of the extremities, weight loss, distention & a stifling sensation in the chest & epigastrium, pallid & wan complexion, a pale tongue with a white coating, & a thin, moderate or deficient, moderate oulse. Ttere may also be vomiting.
Contraindications: Use with caution, & then only after significant modification, in cases with concurrent heat from yin deficiency.
Pinyin | English | Suggested Dosage |
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view: Ren Shen |
Panax Ginseng | (10g)1000g |
view: Bai Zhu |
White Atractylodes | (10g)1000g |
view: Fu Ling |
Poria | (10g)1000g |
view: Zhi Gan Cao |
Honey-fried Licorice | (10g)1000g |
view: Shan Yao |
Chinese Yam | (10g)1000g |
view: Bai Bian Dou |
Dry-fried Hyacinth Bean | (7.5g)750g |
view: Lian Zi |
Lotus Seed | (5g)500g |
view: Yi Yi Ren |
Coix | (5g)500g |
view: Sha Ren |
Cardamon | (5g)500g |
view: Jie Geng |
Dry-fried Platycodon | (5g)500g |
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. |
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. |
Zhi Gan Cao / Licorice Root, honey-baked | |||
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Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Qi | |||
Dosage2-12g |
Actions1. Tonifies the Spleen & augments the qi: commonly used for Spleen deficiency with shortness of breath, lassitude, & loose stools. Also for qi or blood deficiency patterns with an irregular or intermittent pulse & /or palpitations.2. Moistens the Lungs & stops coughing: for coughing & wheezing. Because of its neutral properties, it can be used for either heat or cold in the Lungs. 3. Clears heat & relieves fire toxicity: used raw for carbuncles, sores, or sore throat due to fire toxin. For this purpose, it can be taken internally or applied topically. 4. Moderates spasms & alleviates pain: for painful spasms of the abdomen or legs. 5. Moderates & harmonizes the characteristics of other herbs: by virtue of its sweet, neutral, & moderating properties, this herb moderates hot & cold herbs, & mitigates the violent properties of other herbs. Since it is said to enter all 12 primary channels, it can lead & conduct other herbs into the channels. 6. Used as an antidote for a variety of toxic substances, both internally & topically. 7. The raw root clears heat & relieves toxicity, the honey-fried tonifies the middle & moderates spasms. |
MeridiansAll 12 channels (principally the Heart, Lung, Spleen, & Stomach) |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of excess dampness, nausea, or vomiting. May be in compatible with jing da ji, yuan hua, gan sui, & hai zao, & may antagonize yuan zhi. The toxicity of gan cao is very low, but if taken long-term it may cause hypertension &/or edema. Glycyrrhetinic acid has been reported to cause a reduction in the activity of the thyroid & a reducation in the basal metabolic rate. |
Shan Yao / Dioscorea Opposita | |||
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Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Qi | |||
Dosage9-30g, 250g decoction daily |
Actions1. Tonifies & augments the Spleen & Stomach: for Spleen & Stomach deficiency with such symptoms as diarrhea, fatigue, spontaneous sweating, & lack of appetite.2. Tonifies the Lung qi & augments the Lung yin: for chronic cough or wheezing due to Lung deficiency. 3. Tonifies the Kidneys & also stabilizes & binds: because this herb moistens & is neither hot nor cold, it benefits both the yin & the yang of the Lungs & Kidneys. It is therefore often used in treating wasting & thirsting disorder. It also binds the essence & treats spermatorrhea, frequent urination, & vaginal discharge. |
MeridiansKidney, Lung, Spleen |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of excess, especially when there is fullness due to dampness, stagnation, or accumulation. May antagonize gan sui. |
Bai Bian Dou / Hyacinth Bean, Dolichos Bean | |||
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Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Clear Heat • Sub Category: Relieve Summer-heat | |||
Dosage9-21g |
Actions1. Clears summerheat: for summerheat patterns, especially with pronounced diarrhea or vomiting.2. Strengthens the Spleen: for chronic diarrhea with loud stomach growling & reduced appetite due to Spleen deficiency. Also for vaginal discharge due to Spleen deficiency. |
MeridiansSpleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicateed in cases of intermittent fevers & chills, & in cold disorders. |
Lian Zi / Lotus Seeds | |||
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Taste: Sweet, Astringent • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Stabilize & Bind • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage6-15g |
Actions1. Tonifies the Spleen & stops diarrhea: for Spleen deficiency with chronic diarrhea & loss of appetite. This herb both augmenrs & binds & is thus very useful in these conditions.2. Tonifies the Kidneys & Stabilizes the essence: for premature ejaculation & spermatorrhea due to unstable, deficient Kidneys. Also used for excessive uterine bleeding & vaginal discharge. 3. Nourishes the Heart & calms the spirit: for palpiations with anxiety, deficiency irritability, & insomnia. Especially useful for problems due to lack of communication between the Kidneys & Heart. |
MeridiansHeart, Kidney, Spleen |
CautionsContraindicated in cases with abdominal distention or constipation. |
Yi Yi Ren / Coix Seeds, Job's Tears Seeds | |||
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Taste: Sweet, Bland • Temperature: Slightly Cold • Category: Drain Damp • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage9-30g |
Actions1. Promotes urination & leaches out dampness: for edema, urinary difficulty, & damp leg qi.2. Strengthens the Spleen & stops diarrhea: has a mild effect in treating Spleen deficiency with damp diarrhea. 3. Clears heat & expels pus: for soft, pustulated carbuncles as well as Lung or Intestinal abscess. 4. Expels wind-dampness: for wind-dampness painful obstruction. Especially effective for increasing joint mobility & reducing spasms in chronic cases. 5. Clears damp-heat: for any damp-heat disorder at any level characterized by a greasy tongue coating & digestive problems. 6. Also used in the treatment of plantar warts. |
MeridiansSpleen, Lung, Kidney |
CautionsUse with caution during pregnancy. |
Sha Ren / Cardamon, grains-of-paradise fruit | |||
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Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Transform Damp - Aromatic • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage1.5-6g |
Actions1. Transforms dampness & stops vomiting: used when dampness distresses the Spleen or Stomach with discomfort in the epigastrium, nausea, abdominal pain & diarrhea.2. Promotes the movement of qi & strengthens the Stomach: for Spleen or Stomach stagnant qi patterns that manifest in loss of appetite or epigastric or abdominal distention, pain, & diarrhea. 3. Calms the fetus: for morning sickness or restless fetus. 4. Also used in herbal prescriptions with tonifying herbs to prevent tham from causing stagnation. |
MeridiansSpleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with heat signs. |
Jie Geng / Platycodon Root, balloon flower root | |||
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Taste: Bitter, Acrid • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Tranform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Warm & Transform Phlegm Cold | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Opens up & disseminates the Lung qi & expels phlegm: for cough. When combined with other appropriate herbs, it can be used for both wind-cold & wind-heat coughs.2. Promotes the discharge of pus: for expelling pus associated with Lung abscess or throat abscess. 3. Benefits the throat: used in manyy cases of sore throat or loss of voice, especially in those caused by external heat, but also when the condition is due to other factors such as phlegm-heat or yin deficiency with heat signs. 4. Directs the effect of other herbs to the upper regions of the body. |
MeridiansLung |
CautionsContraindicated for hemoptysis. May counteract long dan cao & long yan rou. |