【Source】

《Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach》

【Composition】

Pinellia rhizome (Ban Xia), Malt (Mai Ya), Medicated Leaven (Shen Qu), White Atractylodes rhizome (Bai Zhu), Black Atractylodes rhizome (Cang Zhu), Ginseng root (Ren Shen), Astragalus root (Huang Qi), Tangerine peel (Chen Pi), Poria (Fu Ling), Alisma rhizome (Ze Xie), Gastrodia rhizome (Tian Ma), Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang), Phellodendron bark (Huang Bai)n(13 ingredients)

【Categories of Ingredients】

<Regulate Qi>: Tangerine peel (Chen Pi)

<Tonify Spleen and Supplement Middle Jiao>: White Atractylodes rhizome (Bai Zhu)

<Clear Heat and Dry Dampness>: Phellodendron bark (Huang Bai)

<Tonify Qi>: Astragalus root (Huang Qi), Ginseng root (Ren Shen)

<Warm the Interior>: Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang)

<Tonify Spleen and Promote Diuresis>: Poria (Fu Ling)

<Aromatically Transform Dampness>: Black Atractylodes rhizome (Cang Zhu)

<Transform Phlegm>: Pinellia rhizome (Ban Xia)

<Promote Diuresis and Leach out Dampness>: Alisma rhizome (Ze Xie)

<Promote Digestion>: Malt (Mai Ya), Medicated Leaven (Shen Qu)

<Calm Liver and Extinguish Wind>: Gastrodia rhizome (Tian Ma)

【Formula Actions】n

According to “Han Dian”: In this formula, Ginseng root (Ren Shen), Astragalus root (Huang Qi), Licorice root (Gan Cao), White Atractylodes rhizome (Bai Zhu), etc., all tonify the Spleen and Stomach. Pinellia rhizome (Ban Xia), Black Atractylodes rhizome (Cang Zhu), Poria (Fu Ling), Tangerine peel (Chen Pi), etc., facilitate the Spleen’s dampness transformation and eliminate retained water in the Stomach through diuresis and digestion. Malt (Mai Ya) and Medicated Leaven (Shen Qu) assist the Spleen and Stomach in digesting stagnant food. Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang), with its pungent and warm nature, expels cold from the Spleen and Stomach. The purpose of this formula is to tonify the Spleen and Stomach, eliminate retained water in the Stomach through diuresis and digestion, primarily treating “phlegm-induced headache” (Tan Jue Headache). Normally, individuals with weak gastrointestinal function and a tendency for laxity may, due to exogenous pathogens or internal injury, develop retained water in the Stomach. This water becomes toxic, forming what is known as “water toxin” (shui du); it then ascends, resulting in this characteristic paroxysmal headache and dizziness. The headache associated with this condition typically originates from the superciliary arch and extends to the fontanelle area of the head, the forehead (Tianting), and the edges of the Baihui acupoint, where it is most severe. It may also be accompanied by cold feet and nausea. This condition is similar to the pattern treated by <a href=’https://whatsintcm.com/en/dt_articles/wu-zhu-yu-tang/‘>Wu Zhu Yu Tang, but <a href=’https://whatsintcm.com/en/dt_articles/wu-zhu-yu-tang/‘>Wu Zhu Yu Tang addresses a more severe condition compared to this formula’s pattern; this formula primarily targets headache and dizziness, while <a href=’https://whatsintcm.com/en/dt_articles/wu-zhu-yu-tang/‘>Wu Zhu Yu Tang primarily targets headache and vomiting. Furthermore, this formula can also be applied to individuals who do not experience paroxysmal symptoms but have weak Spleen and Stomach, feeling limb fatigue and somnolence after meals.

n 【Functions】n

Eliminate phlegm and extinguish wind, harmonize the middle jiao and tonify qi, strengthen the Spleen and resolve dampness.

n 【Indications】n

Phlegm-induced headache (Tan Jue Headache), cough with thick and sticky phlegm, dizziness, vexation and discomfort, nausea and vomiting, heavy body and cold limbs, inability to lie down peacefully.

n 【Applicable Conditions】n

Headache, dizziness, paroxysmal headache in individuals with chronic gastrointestinal weakness, post-meal somnolence, limb fatigue, headache and dizziness in individuals with low blood pressure, or various disorders arising from hypertension in individuals with gastrointestinal weakness presenting with deficiency patterns.

n 【Mnemonic】n

Formula Name + Si Jun Zi (-Licorice) + Er Miao + Qi Chen Ze Jiang (Alisma, Dried Ginger) + Mai Qu Ge (Malt, Medicated Leaven).

n 【Modifications】n

(1) If dizziness is severe, add Silkworm (Bombyx Batryticatus) (Jiang Can) and Arisaema with Bile (Dan Xing) to strengthen the effects of transforming phlegm and extinguishing wind. (2) If accompanied by Qi deficiency, add Codonopsis root (Dang Shen) and Astragalus root (Huang Qi) to tonify Qi. (3) If headache is severe, reduce White Atractylodes rhizome (Bai Zhu) by one qian and add Vitex fruit (Man Jing Zi) to dispel wind and relieve pain. This is also the <a href=’https://whatsintcm.com/en/dt_articles/%e5%8d%8a%e5%a4%8f%e7%99%bd%e6%9c%ae%e5%a4%a9%e9%ba%bb%e6%b9%af-en/‘>Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang from “Yi Xue Xin Wu” (Insights into Medical Practice), which treats phlegm-induced headache, excessive phlegm in the chest and diaphragm, and dizziness upon movement. (4) If damp-phlegm is predominant, with a white, slippery tongue coating, add Alisma rhizome (Ze Xie) and Cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi) to resolve dampness and transform fluid retention. (5) If Liver Yang hyperactivity is present, add Hematite (Dai Zhe Shi) and Gambir vine (Gou Teng) to subdue Yang and extinguish wind. (6) Adding Phellodendron bark (Huang Bai), Black Atractylodes rhizome (Cang Zhu), Alisma rhizome (Ze Xie), Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang), Ginseng root (Ren Shen), Astragalus root (Huang Qi), Medicated Leaven (Shen Qu), and Malt (Mai Ya) to this formula also constitutes <a href=’https://whatsintcm.com/en/dt_articles/%e5%8d%8a%e5%a4%8f%e7%99%bd%e6%9c%ae%e5%a4%a9%e9%ba%bb%e6%b9%af-en‘>Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang (Li Dong-Yuan), which treats phlegm-induced headache.