Formula Formulas that promote Qi movement

Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang

半夏厚朴汤

Also known as:

Pinellia and Magnolia Bark Decoction

Formula Composition

Ban Xia
Ban Xia
Hou Pu
Hou Pu
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Zi Su Ye
Zi Su Ye
Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Regulates the flow of Qi,
  2. Clears Phlegm
  3. Treats esophageal spasm
  4. Descends Rebellious Qi
  5. Dissipates clumps
  6. Relieves Stagnation

Patterns Treated

Stomach Qi Stagnation, Heart Qi Stagnation, Pericardium Qi Stagnation, Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach, Rebellious Stomach Qi, Phlegm, Qi-Phlegm, Liver Qi Stagnation invading the Stomach

Historical Origin

Essentials from 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 Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang

Main Actions

Regulates the flow of Qi,
Clears Phlegm
Treats esophageal spasm
Descends Rebellious Qi
Dissipates clumps
Relieves Stagnation

Key TCM Concepts

Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) and Houpu Magnolia Bark (Hou Pu) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that promote Qi movement. Its main actions are: 1) regulates the flow of Qi, and 2) clears Phlegm.

 

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 Hou Pu Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Stomach Qi Stagnation, Heart Qi Stagnation or Pericardium Qi Stagnation. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as menopausal syndrome, morning sickness or globus hystericus for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Stomach Qi Stagnation
  • Heart Qi Stagnation
  • Pericardium Qi Stagnation
  • Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach
  • Rebellious Stomach Qi
  • Phlegm
  • Qi-Phlegm
  • Liver Qi Stagnation invading the Stomach

Common Applications

Menopausal syndrome Morning sickness Globus hystericus Neurosis Neurogenic vomiting Irritable bowel syndrome Hysteria Psychosis Laryngitis Tonsillitis Edema of the vocal cords Goiter Hyperthyroid Esophageal strictures Esophageal spasms Gastric neurosis Chronic pharyngitis Chronic bronchitis

Ingredients in Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
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 Hou Pu Tang
Ban Xia transforms Phlegm, dissipates clumps, directs Rebellious Qi downward, and harmonizes the Stomach. It thereby addresses all the major aspects of Phlegm-Qi.
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Hou Pu
Hou Pu

Houpu Magnolia bark

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried stem bark, root bark or branch bark
Role in Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang
Hou Pu eliminates the stifling sensation and assists the other key herb (Crow-dipper rhizome) in dissipating the clumps and directing the Rebellious Qi downward. Its ability to regulate the Qi and dry Dampness supports Crow-dipper rhizome in transforming the 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 Hou Pu Tang
Fu Ling leaches out Dampness and assists Crow-dipper rhizome, the key herb in this formula, in transforming Phlegm.
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Zi Su Ye
Zi Su Ye

Perilla leaves

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried leaf (or bearing young branches)
Role in Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang
Zi Su Ye reinforces the ability of Houpu Magnolia bark (Hou Po), one of the key herbs in this formula, to regulate the Qi and break up Stagnation. Entering the Lungs, which govern the throat, the place where the main symptom of Qi-Phlegm is located, this herb also serves as the envoy. It also helps focus the action of the formula on the Lungs Channel and relieves coughing, should it occur.
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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 Hou Pu Tang
Sheng Jiang helps the key herbs in the formula harmonize the Stomach and thereby stops the vomiting, should it occur.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang

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

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Ban Xia Hou Pu 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.