【Source】

Treatise on Cold Damage (Shang Han Lun)

 【Composition】

Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang), (honey-fried) Licorice (Gan Cao), Ginseng (Ren Shen), Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang), Scutellaria Baicalensis (Huang Qin), Pinellia Ternata (Ban Xia), Coptis Chinensis (Huang Lian), Jujube (Da Zao)
(8)

 【Classification】

<Tonifying Spleen and Middle Jiao>: Jujube (Da Zao), Licorice (Gan Cao)

<Clearing Heat and Drying Dampness>: Scutellaria Baicalensis (Huang Qin), Coptis Chinensis (Huang Lian)

<Tonifying Qi>: Ginseng (Ren Shen)

<Releasing the Exterior with Pungent Warmth>: Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang)

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

<Transforming Phlegm>: Pinellia Ternata (Ban Xia)

【Rationale of Formula】

According to Shan Bu: The meaning of Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang is primarily to dissipate the dampness-qi stagnation. Sheng Jiang and Ban Xia dissipate the water-qi below the ribs; Ren Shen and Da Zao tonify the deficiency of the Middle Jiao earth; Gan Jiang and Gan Cao warm the interior cold; Huang Qin and Huang Lian clear the heat of stagnation. It encompasses the treatment of deficiency, water, cold, and heat, and the stagnation of disharmony in the stomach leading to diarrhea, which is always cured. According to Han Dian: This prescription reduces the dosage of Gan Jiang in Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang and adds Sheng Jiang. Therefore, it is indicated for symptoms of Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang, such as belching with foul odor and borborygmus with diarrhea. These symptoms are caused by excessive fermentation in the stomach and intestines. It can also be used even if there is no diarrhea.

 【Functions】

Tonifies the Middle Jiao and resolves stagnation, resolves food and fluid accumulation, harmonizes the Stomach, disperses accumulations and removes water.

 【Efficacy】

After the resolution of external pathogenic factors in Shang Han, when water and heat combine, the Stomach is disharmonious, leading to fullness and discomfort in the epigastrium, dry belching with foul odor, water accumulation below the ribs, borborygmus, and diarrhea. According to Shan Bu: After sweating and resolution of external pathogenic factors in Shang Han, when the Stomach is disharmonious, leading to fullness and hardness in the epigastrium, dry belching with foul odor, water accumulation below the ribs, borborygmus, and diarrhea.

 【Indications】

Acute and chronic gastritis, epigastric pain, gastric ptosis, gastric dilatation, hyperacidity, gastric pyloric obstruction.

 【Mnemonic】

<a href='https://whatsintcm.com/dt_articles/半夏瀉心湯/’>Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang + Sheng Jiang.

 【Pharmacology】

Has anti-gastric ulcer, anticoagulant, and anti-hypoxia effects.