Bàn Xià Xiè Xīn Tāng

(Pinellia Decoction to Drain the Epigastrium)

Sub-Category:

• Formulas that Harmonize Lesser Yang-stage Disorders

Pattern:

• Stomach and Intestinal Disharmony with Heat and Cold Complex in the Middle Jiao

Actions:

• Harmonizes the Stomach and descends rebellious Qi
• Disperses accumulation, masses, and clumping.
• Relieves fullness and focal distention.

Indications:

• Epigastric fullness, tightness, stuffiness, or focal distention with very little or no pain
• Dry heaves, retching, or vomiting.
• diarrhea with borborygmus.
• Loss of appetite.

Possible Tongue Appearance:

• Thin, yellow, greasy tongue coat

Possible Pulse Patterns:

• Wiry and Rapid Pulse

Western Uses:

• Acute Gastroenteritis
• Chronic Gastritis
• Chronic Hepatitis
• Early stage Cirrhosis
• Hyper-Secretion of Acid Causing Gastric Ulcers

Cautions, Contraindications, Herb Drug Interactions:

• This formula is drying Do not uses in cases of Stomach Yin Deficiency with dry heaves or nausea.
• This formula contains one or more toxic substances (while some Chinese herbs are toxic, it must be noted that many come prepared, or are combined, to mitigate their toxicity).

Preparation Notes:

• Decoction. Modern dosage of Ban Xia is often increased by 3 Grams, Zhi Gan Cao is often reduced by 3 grams, and only 4 pieces of Da Zao are used.

Originally Appeared In:

• On Cold Damage (Shang Han Lun)

Combined Channels of all herbs in this formula:

• Lungs, Stomach, Spleen, Heart, Large Intestine, Gall Bladder, Liver

Substances in this Formula (7 Total):

	Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome) Qty: 9 grams Chan: LU, SP, ST Prop: Spicy, Warm, Toxic Latin: Rhizoma Pinelliae Tematae Cat: Warm Herbs that Transform Phlegm-Cold
	Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger Rhizome) Qty: 9 grams Chan: HT, LU, SP, ST Prop: Spicy, Hot Latin: dry Rhizoma Zingiberis Cat: Herbs that Warm the Interior and Expel Cold
	Huang Qin (Baical Skullcap Root) Qty: 9 grams Chan: GB, LI, LU, ST Prop: Bitter, Cold Latin: Radix Scutellariae Baicalensis Cat: Herbs that Clear Heat and Dry Dampness
	Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome) Qty: 3 grams Chan: HT, LI, LIV, ST Prop: Bitter, Cold Latin: Rhizoma Coptidis Cat: Herbs that Clear Heat and Dry Dampness
	Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) Qty: 9 grams Chan: LU, SP Prop: Sweet, Slightly Bitter, Slightly Warm Latin: Radix Ginseng Cat: Herbs that Tonify Qi
	Da Zao (Date, Jujube) Qty: 12 pieces Chan: SP, ST Prop: Sweet, Warm Latin: Fructus Zizyphi Jujubae Cat: Herbs that Tonify Qi
	Zhi Gan Cao (Honey Fried Licorice Root) Qty: 9 grams Chan: All 12 Channels Prop: Sweet, Warm Latin: Radix Glycyrrhizae Cat: Herbs that Tonify Qi

References

Formulas

• 15. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies (First Edition)
  - Dan Bensky
• 18. Handbook of Chinese Herbal Formulas (First Edition)
  - Him Che. Yeung
• 16. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Study Guide (First Edition)
  - Qiao Yi

Herbs

• 13. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica (Revised Edition)
  - Dan Bensky
• 25. Lancet 2000 January 8;355(9198):134-138 (Article)
  - Fugh-Berman A.
• 17. Handbook of Chinese Herbs (Second Edition)
  - Him Che. Yeung
• 12. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology (First Edition)
  - John K. Chen, Tina T. Chen
• 26. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals (Third Edition)
  - Max Wichtl

Only use Chinese herbs or formulas under the direct care and supervision of a licensed Acupuncturist/Herbalist.
Some of the substances included on this website are no longer used, and are included for historical reference only.