Formula Formulas that reduce food accumulation and transform Stagnation

Bao He Wan

保和丸

Also known as:

Preserve Harmony Pill , Preserving and Harmonizing Pill

Formula Composition

Shan Zha
Shan Zha
Shen Qu
Shen Qu
Lai Fu Zi
Lai Fu Zi
Chen Pi
Chen Pi
Ban Xia
Ban Xia
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Lian Qiao
Lian Qiao
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Reduces food stagnation
  2. Harmonizes the Stomach

Patterns Treated

Food Stagnation in the Stomach

Historical Origin

Essential Teachings of Dan-Xi (1481 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Bao He Wan

Main Actions

Reduces food stagnation
Harmonizes the Stomach

Key TCM Concepts

Bao He Wan is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Hawthorn Berries (Shan Zha) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1481 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that reduce food accumulation and transform Stagnation. Its main actions are: 1) reduces food stagnation and 2) harmonizes the Stomach.

 

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 Bao He Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Food Stagnation in the Stomach. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as gastroenteritis, chronic gastritis or pancreatis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Food Stagnation in the Stomach

Common Applications

Gastroenteritis Chronic gastritis Pancreatis Cholecystitis

Ingredients in Bao He Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Bao He Wan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Shan Zha
Shan Zha

Hawthorn berries

Temperature Warm
Taste Sour, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Bao He Wan
Shan Zha awakens the Spleen, unbinds the Stomach, promotes food intake, and assists digestion. It is particularly useful for problems due to overindulgence in meat and greasy foods.
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Shen Qu
Shen Qu

Medicated leaven

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used This is a fermented combination of wheat flour, Artemisia annua, Xanthium, Polygonum hydropiper and other herbs.
Role in Bao He Wan
Shen Qu is especially useful in reducing the stagnant accumulation of alcohol and food. It directs Qi downward to transform Phlegm, warms the Stomach to transform thin mucus, and strengthens the Spleen to alleviate diarrhea and distention.
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Lai Fu Zi
Lai Fu Zi

Radish seeds

Temperature Neutral
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe seeds
Role in Bao He Wan
In general Lai Fu Zi's main actions are as follows: "Warms the digestion and unblocks Food Stagnation. Reverses Rebellious Lung Qi and transforms Phlegm"

In the context of Bao He Wan, it is used because it reduces the accumulation of Phlegm from stagnant grains and at facilitating the flow of Qi.
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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 Bao He Wan
Chen Pi promotes the movement of Qi and transform stagnation, thereby harmonizing the Stomach to stop the nausea and vomiting
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Ban Xia
Ban Xia

Crow-dipper rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome and tuber
Role in Bao He Wan
Ban Xia promotes the movement of Qi and transform stagnation, thereby harmonizing the Stomach to stop the nausea and vomiting
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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 Bao He Wan
Fu Ling strengthens the Spleen and leaches out Dampness, thereby harmonizing the Middle Burner to stop the diarrhea
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Lian Qiao
Lian Qiao

Forsythia fruits

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Small Intestine
Parts Used Dried fruit
Role in Bao He Wan
Lian Qiao addresses the Heat generated from food stagnation and also for its ability to disperse and penetrate, which makes it a valuable herb for treating Phlegm-Heat.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Bao He Wan

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

Contraindications

This formula is contraindicated in cases with Spleen deficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Bao He 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.