Agastaches Powder to Rectify the Qi
Chinese Prescription: Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San
English Translation: Agastaches Powder to Rectify the Qi
Formula Type: Transforms Damp Turbidity
Actions: Releases the exterior, transforms dampness, regulates the qi, & harmonizes the middle burner.
Indications: Fever & chills, headache, a sensation of fullness & stifling oppression in the chest, pain in the epigastrium & abdomen, nausea & vomiting, borborygmus, diarrhea, loss of taste, a white, greasy tongue coating, & a moderate, soggy pulse. Also for sudden turmoil disorders or malarial disorders with the above symptomatology.
Contraindications: Because this formula contains warm & drying herbs, it should not be used without significant modification for conditions of wind-heat or fire due to deficiency.
Pinyin | English | Suggested Dosage |
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view: Huo Xiang |
Patchouli | 90g (12g) |
view: Hou Po |
Ginger-fried Magnolia Officinalis Bark | 60g (9g) |
view: Chen Pi |
Tangerine / Citrus Peel | 60g (9g) |
view: Zi Su Ye |
Perilla Leaf | 30g (6g) |
view: Bai Zhi |
Chinese Angelica Root | 30g (6g) |
view: Ban Xia |
Pinellia Rhizome | 60g (9g) |
view: Da Fu Pi |
Betel Husk | 30g (9g) |
view: Bai Zhu |
White Atractylodes | 60g (12g) |
view: Fu Ling |
Poria | 30g (9g) |
view: Jie Geng |
Platycodon | 60g (9g) |
view: Zhi Gan Cao |
Honey-fried Licorice | 75g (3g) |
Huo Xiang / Patchouli or Agastache Plant | |||
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Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Slightly Warm • Category: Transforms Damp - Aromatic • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage4.5-9g |
Actions1. Aromatically transforms dampness: for turbid dampness creating internal obstruction. Specifically dampness obstructing the middle burner & interfering with the Spleen's transportive functions. Symptoms & signs include abdominal &/or epigastric distention & fullness, nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite, & a white, moist tongue coating.2. Harmonizes the middle burner & stops vomiting: most commonly used in cases of nausea or vomiting due to dampness obstructing the middle burner. Can also be used for other types of vomiting when combined with appropriate herbs. Also used for morning sickness. 3. Releases the externior & transforms turbidity: for exterior disorders with dampness including the early stages of damp warm-febrile diseases or summerheat, as well as externally contracted wind-cold with internal injury from dampness. In addition to the exterior signs, these patients have digestive symptoms such as nausea, abdominal distention, or stomachache. |
MeridiansLung, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with heat signs, & Stomach fire. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
Bai Zhi / Angelica Root (Dahurica) | |||
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Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Exterior Releasing - Warm • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Expels wind & alleviates pain: for patterns of externally contracted wind-cold, especially those with headache. Also for supraorbital pain, nasal congestion & toothaches. While primarily a warming herb, it can be used for any problem due to wind invading the yang brightness channels of the head.2. Reduces swelling & expels pus: for early stages of surface sores & carbuncles. If the sore, ulcer, or carbuncle has not yet suppurated, this herb will help reduce the swelling. If pus has already formed or the sore has ulcerates, the herb can be used to help discourage the pus. 3. Expels dampness & alleviates discharge: usually for vaginal discharge due to damp-cold in the lower burner, but with the appropriate herbs can also be used to treat vaginal discharge from damp-heat. 4. Opens up the nasal passages: for sinus congestion. |
MeridiansLung, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of blood or yin deficiency because it is very drying. Use with caution if pus drains smoothly from sores. Some traditional sources say that this herb antagonizes xuan fu hua. |
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. |
Da Fu Pi / Areca Peel, Betel Husk | |||
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Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Slightly Warm • Category: Regulate Qi • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage6-9g |
Actions1. Promotes the downward movement of qi & reduces stagnation: for patterns of food stagnation & qi obstruction with such sugns as epigastric & abdominal distention, regurgitation of food, & belching with acid regurgitation. Espeically useful when these disorders are accompanied by constipation.2. Expels dampness: for damp stagnation in the Stomach & Intestines. 3. Promotes urination & reduces edema: for abdominal distention accompanies by edema, especially superficial edema, or the symptoms of food stagantion. Also used for damp leg qi. |
MeridiansLarge Intestins, Small Intestine, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsUse with caution in cases of qi deficiency. |
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. |
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. |
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. |