Formula Composition

Liu Huang

Ban Xia

Sheng Jiang

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King

Main ingredient

Deputy

Assists main

Assistant

Supports

Formula Formulas that warm and purge

Ban Liu Wan

半硫丸

Also known as:

Pinellia and Sulphur Pill

Formula Properties

Main Actions

Fortifies the Fire at the Gate of Vitality
Expels Cold
Unblocks the Yang
Drains Turbidity

Patterns Treated

Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang, Empty-Cold

Historical Origin

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

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Ban Liu Wan

Main Actions

Fortifies the Fire at the Gate of Vitality

Expels Cold

Unblocks the Yang

Drains Turbidity

Key TCM Concepts

Ban Liu Wan is a 3-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Sulfur (Liu Huang) as a principal ingredient.

Invented in 1107, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm and purge. Its main actions are: 1) fortifies the Fire at the Gate of Vitality and 2) expels 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 Ban Liu Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang or Empty-Cold. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as constipation in the elderly, chronic diarrhea or impotence for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang
Empty-Cold

Common Applications

Constipation in the elderly Chronic diarrhea Impotence Constipation

Ingredients in Ban Liu Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Ban Liu Wan and their roles

Kings

Deputies

Assistants

Liu Huang

Sulfur

Temperature Warm

Taste Pungent

Organ Affinity Spleen, Kidneys, Large Intestine, Pericardium

Parts Used The mineral

Role in Ban Liu Wan

Liu Huang strongly fortifies the Fire at the Gate of Vitality and activates Yang Qi. Furthermore, its sour taste protects the Yin, keeping Body Fluids in the Intestines to facilitate bowel movement. Warm herbs mostly cause constipation. Sulphur is the only one that is gentle and is able to promote bowel movement.

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Ban Xia

Crow-dipper rhizomes

Temperature Warm

Taste Pungent

Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach

Parts Used Dried rhizome and tuber

Role in Ban Liu Wan

Ban Xia is acrid and warm, which harmonizes the Stomach, and descends Qi. It is also bitter, which dries turbid Yin. It thereby focuses the action of the key herb on the YangBrightness.

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Sheng Jiang

Fresh ginger

Temperature Warm

Taste Pungent

Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach

Parts Used Fresh root

Role in Ban Liu Wan

Sheng Jiang reduces the Toxicity of the two main ingredients, warmsthe Middle Burner, disperses Cold, and facilitates the Qi movement by unblocking the Interstices. It acts as both assistant and envoy. It often used as form of Fresh ginger juice.

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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Ban Liu Wan

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

Contraindications

Although this formula is advised for elderly constipation, it should not be taken in cases of Yin or Blood Deficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

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