Bàn Xià Bái Zhú Tiān Má Tāng

(Pinellia, Atractylodis Macrocephalae, and Gastrodia Decoction)

Sub-Category:

• Formulas that Dry Dampness and Expel Phlegm

Pattern:

• Internal Wind Phlegm

Actions:

• Strengthens the Spleen and dispels dampness
• Extinguishes Liver wind.
• Transforms phlegm.

Indications:

• Vertigo, dizziness, headache, nausea, and vomiting
• Distension and fullness in the chest and epigastria.
• Profuse expectoration of Sputum.
• Hypertension.
• Deviation of the eyes or mouth.

Possible Tongue Appearance:

• Swollen with teeth marks and a white sticky coat

Possible Pulse Patterns:

• Slippery and wiry pulse

Western Uses:

• Meniere's Disease

Cautions, Contraindications, Herb Drug Interactions:

• Do not use for vertigo due to rising Liver Yang or Blood Deficiency
• 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.

Originally Appeared In:

• Medical Revelations (Yi Xue Xin Wu)

Combined Channels of all herbs in this formula:

• Lungs, Stomach, Spleen, Liver, Heart

Substances in this Formula (8 Total):

	Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome) 半夏 Qty: 4.5 grams Chan: LU, SP, ST Prop: Spicy, Warm, Toxic Latin: Rhizoma Pinelliae Tematae Cat: Warm Herbs that Transform Phlegm-Cold
	Tian Ma (Gastrodia Rhizome) 天麻 Qty: 3 grams Chan: LIV Prop: Sweet, Neutral Latin: Rhizoma Gastrodiae Cat: Substances that Extinguish Wind and Stop Tremors
	Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes Rhizome) 白术 Qty: 18 grams Chan: SP, ST Prop: Bitter, Sweet, Warm Latin: Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae Cat: Herbs that Tonify Qi
	Ju Hong (Outermost Citrus Peel, Tangerine Peel, Orange Peel) 橘红 Qty: 3 grams Chan: LU, ST Prop: Spicy, Bitter, Warm Latin: Exocarpium Citri Rubrum Cat: Herbs that Regulate the Qi
	Fu Ling (Sclerotium of Tuckahoe, China Root, Poria, Hoelen) 茯苓 Qty: 3 grams Chan: HT, SP, LU Prop: Sweet, Bland, Neutral Latin: Scierotium Poriae Cocos Cat: Herbs that Regulate Water and Drain Dampness
	Gan Cao (Licorice Root) 甘草 Qty: 1.5 grams Chan: All 12 (Primarily the LU, HT, SP, ST) Prop: Sweet, Neutral Latin: Radix Glycyrrhizae Cat: Herbs that Tonify Qi
	Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger Rhizome) 生姜 Qty: 1 Slice Chan: LU, SP, ST Prop: Spicy, Warm Latin: uncooked Rhizoma Zingiberis Cat: Warm, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior
	Da Zao (Date, Jujube) 大枣 Qty: 2 pieces Chan: SP, ST Prop: Sweet, Warm Latin: Fructus Zizyphi Jujubae 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.