[Source]

Volume 3 of “Zhu Dan Xi Xin Fa”.

 [Composition]

Shan Zha (Hawthorn Berry), Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven), Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome), Fu Ling (Poria), Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), Lian Qiao (Forsythia Fruit), Lai Fu Zi (Radish Seed)
(7)

 [Category Group]

<Regulating Qi>: Chen Pi

<Tonifying Spleen and Promoting Urination>: Fu Ling

<Transforming Phlegm>: Ban Xia

<Clearing Heat and Detoxifying>: Lian Qiao

<Relieving Food Stagnation>: Shan Zha, Lai Fu Zi, Shen Qu

[Rationale of the Formula]

From “Yi Fang”: Formula for the Tai Yin and Yang Ming meridians. (1) Shan Zha: Its sour and warm properties are astringent and can resolve greasy, fishy, and gamey food. (2) Shen Qu: A product of steaming and fermenting, its pungent and warm nature can resolve accumulations from wine, food, and spoiled products. (3) Lai Fu Zi: Pungent and sweet, it descends Qi and disperses accumulations from flour. (4) Mai Ya (Malt): Salty and warm, it resolves grains and softens hardness. (5) Food stagnation must be accompanied by dampness, Fu Ling: Tonifies the Spleen and promotes urination of dampness. (6) Prolonged stagnation will inevitably lead to heat, Lian Qiao: Disperses stagnation and clears heat. (7) Ban Xia: Can be warm and drying, harmonizes the Stomach and strengthens the Spleen. (8) Chen Pi: Can descend and ascend, regulates the Middle Jiao and regulates Qi. From “Cheng Fang Bian Du”: Shan Zha, with its sour, warm, and tight nature, is adept at resolving accumulations of fishy, gamey, and greasy foods, moving stagnation and breaking up accumulations, making it a digestive herb, thus it is the monarch. Shen Qu, made by steaming and fermenting, its pungent and warm nature can resolve accumulations from wine, food, and spoiled products. Lai Fu Zi, pungent and sweet, descends Qi and transforms accumulations from flour. Mai Ya, salty and warm, resolves grains and moves stagnation. These two herbs serve as assistants. However, where there is fullness and hardness, there must be latent heat, thus Lian Qiao, with its bitter and cold nature, disperses stagnation and clears heat. Where there is accumulation and stagnation, there will be much phlegm and obstruction, thus the “Er Chen” (Ban Xia and Chen Pi) transform phlegm and move Qi. Although this formula purely uses digestive and guiding herbs, it is ultimately a gentle prescription, hence it is specifically called “Bao He” (Preserving Harmony).

 [Functions]

Relieves food stagnation and harmonizes the Stomach.

 [Indications]

All kinds of food stagnation and accumulation, fullness and distension in the chest, epigastrium, and abdomen, bloating and abdominal pain, belching of foul odor, acid regurgitation, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, or masses and lumps in the abdomen due to food stagnation, or diarrhea and dysentery. From “Yi Fang”: Abdominal pain and diarrhea due to food and fluid stagnation, fullness and vomiting of acid, stagnation and loss of appetite, malarial disorders, and dysentery.

 [Indications for Use]

Damage from overeating, indigestion, acid regurgitation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and biliary tract infections.

 [Contraindications]

(1) Not suitable for individuals who are weak and have no food stagnation. (2) Pregnant women should use with caution.

 [Mnemonics]

(1) Er Chen (Chen Pi, Ban Xia) without the other two assistants (Shan Zha, Shen Qu, Fu Ling, Lian Qiao, Lai Fu Zi, Mai Ya) sing a folk song (Lian Qiao, Lai Fu Zi, Shen Qu, Shan Zha). (2) Tug-of-war — Shan Zha and Shen Qu are dressed as a beautiful woman (Shan Zha, Shen Qu, Fu Ling, Ban Xia, Chen Pi, Lian Qiao).

 [Pharmacology]

Aids digestion, regulates gastrointestinal function, protects the liver, promotes bile secretion, anti-emetic, anti-ulcer, and antibacterial effects.