Formula Formulas that transform Phlegm and extinguish Wind

Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang

半夏白术天麻汤

Also known as:

Pinellia White Atractylodes and Gastrodia Decoction , Ban Xia Tian Ma Bai Zhu Tang

Formula Composition

Ban Xia
Ban Xia
Tian Ma
Tian Ma
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
Chen Pi
Chen Pi
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Da Zao
Da Zao
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Kings
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoys
Directs formula
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Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Dries and dissolves Phlegm
  2. Strengthens the Spleen
  3. Soothes the Liver and calms Liver Wind (antispasmodic)
  4. Clear Dampness

Patterns Treated

Phlegm, Wind-Phlegm

Historical Origin

Awakening of the Mind in Medical Studies (1732 AD)

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang

Main Actions

Dries and dissolves Phlegm
Strengthens the Spleen
Soothes the Liver and calms Liver Wind (antispasmodic)
Clear Dampness

Key TCM Concepts

Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) and Gastrodia Rhizomes (Tian Ma) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1732 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that transform Phlegm and extinguish Wind. Its main actions are: 1) dries and dissolves Phlegm and 2) strengthens the Spleen.

 

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 Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Phlegm or Wind-Phlegm. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as meniere's disease, hypertension or tubercular meningitis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Phlegm
  • Wind-Phlegm

Common Applications

Meniere's disease Hypertension Tubercular meningitis Benign positional vertigo Vertigo of ear origin Neurogenic dizziness Epilepsy Facial nerve paralysis

Ingredients in Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Ban Xia
Ban Xia

Crow-dipper rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome and tuber
Role in Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
Ban Xia dries Dampness, transforms Phlegm, and directs Rebellious Qi downward (to treat the nausea and vomiting).
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Tian Ma
Tian Ma

Gastrodia rhizomes

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Liver
Parts Used Dried tuber
Role in Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
Tian Ma enters the Liver Channel to nourish the Yin Fluids, calm the Liver, and extinguish Wind. It is a good complement to Crow-dipper rhizome (Ban Xia) because, without it, its pungent nature could easily stir up even more Wind. This doesn't happen thanks to the moistening character of Gastrodia rhizome which helps extinguish Wind. As the 13th-century physician Li Dong-Yuan wrote in Discussion of the Spleen and Stomach: "Headache due to Phlegm rebelling in the leg greater Yin [Meridian and Organ] cannot be treated without Crow-dipper rhizome (Ban Xia); spots before the eyes and vertigo are due to internal movement of Wind from Deficiency and cannot be eliminated without Gastrodia rhizome (Tian Ma)."
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Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu

Atractylodes rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
Bai Zhu reinforces the actions of the main ingredients in treating Phlegm. Its sweet warmth tonifies the Spleen, its bitterness dries Dampness, and its aromatic quality supports the transportive and transformative functions of the Spleen. It promotes water metabolism, yet also generates Body Fluids and thereby addresses the Fluids disharmony that is at the heart of the pattern treated by this formula.
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Chen Pi
Chen Pi

Tangerine peel

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried pericarp of the ripe fruit
Role in Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
In general Chen Pi's main actions are as follows: "Warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi. Dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. Reduces the potential for Stagnation caused by tonifying herbs."

In the context of Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang, it is used because it regulates the Qi by directing excessive Qi downward, transforming and eliminating Phlegm.
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Fu Ling
Fu Ling

Poria-cocos mushrooms

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried sclerotium
Role in Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
In general Fu Ling's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit."

In the context of Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang, it is used because it strengthens the Spleen and leaches out Dampness.
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Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang

Fresh ginger

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Fresh root
Role in Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
In general Sheng Jiang's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning."

In the context of Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang, it is used because it , together with Jujube dates (Da Zao), harmonizes the Stomach and Spleen.
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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 Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."

In the context of Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang, it is used because it harmonizes the actions of the other herbs and mildly regulates the functions of the Middle-Burner.
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Da Zao
Da Zao

Jujube dates

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
In general Da Zao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi. Tonifies the Blood. Calms the Shen (spirit). Moderates the actions of other herbs in formula."
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated for vertigo from either ascendant Liver Yang or Blood Deficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma 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.