Formula Formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold

Bai Zhu Fu Zi Tang

白术附子汤

Also known as:

White Atractylodes and Aconite Accessory Root Decoction

Formula Composition

Zhi Fu Zi
Zhi Fu Zi
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Da Zao
Da Zao
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Warms the channels
  2. Disperses Cold
  3. Strenghtens the Middle Burner
  4. Promotes the resolution of Dampness

Patterns Treated

Wind-Cold-Damp

Historical Origin

Essentials of the Golden Cabinet (220 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Bai Zhu Fu Zi Tang

Main Actions

Warms the channels
Disperses Cold
Strenghtens the Middle Burner
Promotes the resolution of Dampness

Key TCM Concepts

Bai Zhu Fu Zi Tang is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold. Its main actions are: 1) warms the channels and 2) disperses Cold.

 

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 Bai Zhu Fu Zi Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Wind-Cold-Damp. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as degenerative joint disease, post-stroke debility or arthropathy for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Wind-Cold-Damp

Common Applications

Degenerative joint disease Post-stroke debility Arthropathy Pediatric diarrhea

Ingredients in Bai Zhu Fu Zi Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Bai Zhu Fu Zi Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Zhi Fu Zi
Zhi Fu Zi

Prepared aconite

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Spleen
Parts Used Processed daughter root
Role in Bai Zhu Fu Zi Tang
Zhi Fu Zi has the strong nature of warming and dispersing, so that it mobilizes the Yang Qi at the gate of vitality to spread throughout the entire body to reach the Exterior, the Middle Burner, and the Intestines.
View herb details
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu

Atractylodes rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Bai Zhu Fu Zi Tang
Bai Zhu is warm, sweet, and bitter. It dries Dampness and augments the Qi. In combination with the acrid and warming Prepared aconite, its action is more focused on the Exterior such as the muscles and flesh. It also stops sweating so as to counterbalance the dispersing action of the key herb. Sweating is contraindicated because there is already Dryness in the Intestines.
View herb details
Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang

Fresh ginger

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Fresh root
Role in Bai Zhu Fu Zi Tang
Sheng Jiang harmonizes the Nutritive and Protective Qi, assists the Qi transformation of the Middle Burner, and soothes the diverse actions of the formula into a single whole.
View herb details
Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Bai Zhu Fu Zi Tang
Gan Cao harmonizes the Nutritive and Protective Qi, assists the Qi transformation of the Middle Burner, and soothes the diverse actions of the formula into a single whole.
View herb details
Da Zao
Da Zao

Jujube dates

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Bai Zhu Fu Zi Tang
Da Zao harmonizes the Nutritive and Protective Qi, assists the Qi transformation of the Middle Burner, and soothes the diverse actions of the formula into a single whole.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Bai Zhu Fu Zi Tang

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

Contraindications

This formula has warming and strengthening properties and should not be used for hard stools caused by Heat or Yin deficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Bai Zhu Fu Zi Tang may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.