Formula Formulas that dispel Phlegm

Bei Mu Gua Lou San

贝母瓜蒌散

Also known as:

Fritillary bulbs and Snake gourds Powder , Fritillaria and Trichosanthes Fruit Powder

Formula Composition

Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Bei Mu
Gua Lou
Gua Lou
Tian Hua Fen
Tian Hua Fen
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Ju Hong
Ju Hong
Jie Geng
Jie Geng
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Moistens the Lungs
  2. Clears Heat
  3. Regulates Qi
  4. Resolve Phlegm
  5. Stop coughing

Patterns Treated

Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs

Historical Origin

Awakening of the Mind in Medical Studies (1732 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Bei Mu Gua Lou San

Main Actions

Moistens the Lungs
Clears Heat
Regulates Qi
Resolve Phlegm
Stop coughing

Key TCM Concepts

Bei Mu Gua Lou San is a 6-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Sichuan Fritillary Bulbs (Chuan Bei Mu) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1732 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that dispel Phlegm. Its main actions are: 1) moistens the Lungs and 2) clears Heat.

 

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 Bei Mu Gua Lou San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis or acute bronchitis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs

Common Applications

Pneumonia Pulmonary tuberculosis Acute bronchitis Chronic bronchitis Pharyngitis Difficult to expectorate phlegm

Ingredients in Bei Mu Gua Lou San

Detailed information about each herb in Bei Mu Gua Lou San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Bei Mu

Sichuan Fritillary bulbs

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs
Parts Used Dried bulb
Role in Bei Mu Gua Lou San
Chuan Bei Mu moistens the Lungs, transforms Phlegm, stops coughing and clears Heat by directing Heart fire downward. It treats the pattern of Dry Phlegm in the Lungs.
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Gua Lou
Gua Lou

Snake gourds

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Large Intestine, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried fruit
Role in Bei Mu Gua Lou San
Gua Lou clears Heat, moistens Dryness, invigorates Qi and leads turbid Phlegm downward so as to remove the chest and diaphragm obstruction.
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Tian Hua Fen
Tian Hua Fen

Snake gourd roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Sour, Sweet
Organ Affinity Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Bei Mu Gua Lou San
Tian Hua Fen clears Heat, creates Body Fluids, and transforms Phlegm. Ittonifies the physiological Body Fluids formation without creating more 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 Bei Mu Gua Lou San
Fu Ling strengthens the Spleen. Together with the other assistant herb Red Tangerine Peel, it strengthens the Spleen's Body Fluids transportation and transformation functions, which is critical for treating the pattern with Dryness and Phlegm. A well functioning Spleen is essential in Body Fluids formation and then transportation to the Lungs. The Spleen also helps resolve Dampness and Phlegm.
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Ju Hong
Ju Hong

Red Tangerine Peel

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Lungs
Parts Used Dried exocarp
Role in Bei Mu Gua Lou San
Ju Hong regulates Qi. Together with the other assistant herb Poria-cocos mushroom, it strengthens the Spleen's Body Fluids transportation and transformation functions, which is critical for treating the pattern with Dryness and Phlegm. A well functioning Spleen is essential in Body Fluids formation and then transportation to the Lungs. The Spleen also helps resolve Dampness and Phlegm.
View herb details
Jie Geng
Jie Geng

Platycodon roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Bei Mu Gua Lou San
In general Jie Geng's main actions are as follows: "Opens the Lungs and smoothes the flow of Lung Qi. Expels Phlegm and pus from the Lungs and throat, can be used for either Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat according to the other herbs in the formula. Directs the actions of other herbs to the Upper Burner. "

In the context of Bei Mu Gua Lou San, it is used because it invigorates Lung Qi and treats throat problems.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Bei Mu Gua Lou San

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated for cough due to Yin Deficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Bei Mu Gua Lou San may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.