Formula Formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness

Ba Zheng San

八正散

Also known as:

Eight Corrections Powder , Eight-Herb Powder for Rectification

Formula Composition

Qu Mai
Qu Mai
Bian Xu
Bian Xu
Mu Tong
Mu Tong
Hua Shi
Hua Shi
Che Qian Zi
Che Qian Zi
Zhi Zi
Zhi Zi
Da Huang
Da Huang
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Deng Xin Cao
Deng Xin Cao
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoys
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Clears Heat and Fire
  2. Promotes urination
  3. Unblocks painful urinary dribbling
  4. Purges Fire

Patterns Treated

Damp-Cold in the Bladder, Damp-Heat, Damp-Heat in the Bladder, Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner

Historical Origin

Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People in the Taiping Era (1107 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Ba Zheng San

Main Actions

Clears Heat and Fire
Promotes urination
Unblocks painful urinary dribbling
Purges Fire

Key TCM Concepts

Ba Zheng San is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Chinese Pink Herbs (Qu Mai) and Knotgrass (Bian Xu) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1107 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness. Its main actions are: 1) clears Heat and Fire and 2) promotes urination.

 

In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.

 

In this case Ba Zheng San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Damp-Cold in the Bladder, Damp-Heat or Damp-Heat in the Bladder. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as intermenstrual bleeding, glomerulonephritis or cystitis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Damp-Cold in the Bladder
  • Damp-Heat
  • Damp-Heat in the Bladder
  • Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner

Common Applications

Intermenstrual bleeding Glomerulonephritis Cystitis Urethritis Urinary tract calculi Prostatitis Stomatitis Acute prostatitis Pyelonephritis Postoperative urinary retention Postpartum urinary retention

Ingredients in Ba Zheng San

Detailed information about each herb in Ba Zheng San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Qu Mai
Qu Mai

Chinese pink herbs

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Heart, Small Intestine
Parts Used Dried aerial part
Role in Ba Zheng San
Qu Mai bitter and cold. It enters the Blood to invigorate the Blood and is particularly useful in treating painful urinary dribbling with Blood. It also directs Heart Fire and Heat downward, unblocks the Small Intestine, expels Damp Heat from the Bladder, and is an important herb for treating dribbling disorders.
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Bian Xu
Bian Xu

Knotgrass

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder
Parts Used Aerial parts
Role in Ba Zheng San
In general Bian Xu's main actions are as follows: "Expels Damp-Heat and encourages urination. Drains Dampness and stops itching. Kills parasites."

In the context of Ba Zheng San, it is used because it enters the Qi to promote urination, unblock painful urinary dribbling, and clear Damp Heat.
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Mu Tong
Mu Tong

Akebia stems

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Small Intestine
Parts Used Dried stem
Role in Ba Zheng San
Mu Tong is bitter and cold. It is very effective inclearing the Stagnation caused by Dampness. It also clears Heat and promotes urination. It assists the king ingredients in unblocking any painful urinary dribbling.
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Hua Shi
Hua Shi

Talc

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Stomach
Parts Used The mineral itself
Role in Ba Zheng San
In general Hua Shi's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination. Expels Damp-Heat from the Urinary Bladder. Dispels Summer Heat. Dries Dampness when applied topically."

In the context of Ba Zheng San, it is used because it smooths the passage of urine despite any Stagnation in the way.
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Che Qian Zi
Che Qian Zi

Plantain seeds

Temperature Cool
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver, Lungs, Small Intestine
Parts Used Dried ripe seeds
Role in Ba Zheng San
In general Che Qian Zi's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and clears Heat. Stops diarrhea by expelling water through urination. Brightens the eyes, used in combination either for Deficiency or Heat. Reduces inflammation of infections. Arrests cough and expectorates Phlegm."

In the context of Ba Zheng San, it is used because it smooths the passage of urine despite any Stagnation in the way.
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Zhi Zi
Zhi Zi

Cape jasmine fruits

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Lungs, Sanjiao, San Jiao (Triple Burner)
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Ba Zheng San
In general Zhi Zi's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and calms spirit. Drains Damp-Heat affecting the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears Heat in the Blood and stops bleeding. Anti-inflammatory."

In the context of Ba Zheng San, it is used because it drains Heat from the Triple Burner through the urine.
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Da Huang
Da Huang

Rhubarb

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Ba Zheng San
In general Da Huang's main actions are as follows: "Drains Excess Heat and eliminates Dampness, especially when in the Bright Yang stage according to the Six Stages Theory. Cools the Blood and stops bleeding. Invigorates Blood, breaks up Stasis and relieves pain. Clears Heat and toxins from Excess. Applied topically for Hot sores and Blood Stasis."

In the context of Ba Zheng San, it is used because it drains Heat from the Triple Burner through the stool.
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Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Ba Zheng San
Gan Cao harmonizes the actions of all ingredients and relieves the abdominal pain. The combination of Liquorice and talc also assist to ease irritability.
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Deng Xin Cao
Deng Xin Cao

Common rush

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Small Intestine
Parts Used Dried stem pith
Role in Ba Zheng San
In general Deng Xin Cao's main actions are as follows: "Diuretic, promotes urination. Clears urinary tract infections."

In the context of Ba Zheng San, it is used because it guides Heat downward as one of the envoys.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Ba Zheng San

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any TCM herbal formula.

Contraindications

Contraindicated for long-term use because it can lead to palpitations, weakness, lightheadedness and a loss of appetite. Contraindicated to treat Cold symptoms due to Deficiency. Contraindicated during pregnancy.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Ba Zheng San may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.