Calm the Stomach Powder
Chinese Prescription: Ping Wei San
English Translation: Calm the Stomach Powder
Formula Type: Transform Turbid Dampness
Actions: Dries dampness, improves the Spleen's transportive function, promotes the movement of qi, & harmonizes the Stomach.
Indications: Distention & fullness in the epigastrium & abdomen, loss of taste & appetite, a heavy sensation in the limbs, loose stools or diarrhea, easily-fatigued, increased desire to sleep, nausea & vomiting, belching, acid reflux, a swollen tongue with a thick, white, & greasy coating, & a moderate or slippery pulse. This is dampness stagnating in the Spleen & Stomach.
Contraindications: This formula contains warm, drying herbs that readily injure the yin & blood, & should therefore only be used with significant modification for patients with yin or blood deficiency. Caution must also be exercised when using the formula during gpregnancy.
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Cang Zhu / Atractylodes (Black) Rhizome |
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Taste: Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Transform Damp - Aromatic • Sub Category: |
Dosage4.5-9g |
Actions1. Strongly dries dampness & strengthens the Spleen: for dampness obstructing the middle burner & blocking the transportive & transformative functions of the Spleen. Symptoms include reduced appetite, diarrhea, epigastric distention & pressure, fatigue, nausea & vomting, & a thick, greasy tongue coating.
2. Expels wind-dampness: for painful obstruction due to wind-cold-dampness in the extremities.
3. Clears dampness in the lower burner: for damp-heat pouring downward (as in leg qi), vaginal discharge, & swollen, sore joints. Although this herb is warm, it is very effective in drying dampness; when combined with herbs that clear heat, it is used for damp-heat disorders.
4. Induces sweating & releases exterior disorders: for headache, body aches, absence of sweating & /or oozing yin sores due to wind-damp-cold pathogenic influence. |
MeridiansSpleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases with excessive sweating due to qi deficiency, or yin deficiency with interior heat. Use with caution in cases of loose, watery stools. |
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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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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. |
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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. |