Bàn Xià Hòu Pò Tāng (Pinellia and Magnolia Bark Decoction)

Sub-Category:

• Formulas that Promote the Movement of Qi

Pattern:

• Qi Stagnation with Phlegm, Plum-Pit Qi

Actions:

• Moves Qi and disperses nodules
• Descends rebellious Qi.
• Resolves phlegm.

Indications:

• Plum-Pit Qi - A subjective feeling that something is stuck in the throat, usually due to emotional upset
• A fullness, oppression, or stifling sensation in the chest and hypochondria.
• Cough with white sputum, nausea and vomiting.

Possible Tongue Appearance:

• Dusky or normal with a greasy or moist white tongue coat

Possible Pulse Patterns:

• Wiry and slippery pulse

Western Uses:

• Globus Hystericus
• Hysteria
• Gastro-intestinal Neurosis
• Esophagospasm
• Chronic Laryngitis
• Tracheitis

Cautions, Contraindications, Herb Drug Interactions:

• Do not use in Yin Deficient patients
• Do not use with patients who have a bitter taste in the mouth, flushed face, and a red tongue with scanty coat.
• 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:

• Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (Jin Gui Yao Lue)

Combined Channels of all herbs in this formula:

• Lungs, Stomach, Spleen, Large Intestine, Heart

Substances in this Formula (5 Total):

	Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome) 半夏 Qty: 9-12 grams Chan: LU, SP, ST Prop: Spicy, Warm, Toxic Latin: Rhizoma Pinelliae Tematae Cat: Warm Herbs that Transform Phlegm-Cold
	Hou Po (Magnolia Bark) 厚朴 Qty: 9 grams Chan: LI, LU, SP, ST Prop: Bitter, Spicy, Warm, Aromatic Latin: Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis Cat: Aromatic Herbs that Transform and Dissolve Dampness
	Fu Ling (Sclerotium of Tuckahoe, China Root, Poria, Hoelen) 茯苓 Qty: 12 grams Chan: HT, SP, LU Prop: Sweet, Bland, Neutral Latin: Scierotium Poriae Cocos Cat: Herbs that Regulate Water and Drain Dampness
	Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger Rhizome) 生姜 Qty: 9 grams Chan: LU, SP, ST Prop: Spicy, Warm Latin: uncooked Rhizoma Zingiberis Cat: Warm, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior
	Zi Su Ye (Perilla Leaf) 紫苏叶 Qty: 6 grams Chan: LU, SP Prop: Spicy, Aromatic, Warm Latin: Perillae Folium Cat: Warm, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior