Formula Formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold

Da Jian Zhong Tang

大建中汤

Also known as:

Major Construct the Middle Decoction

Formula Composition

Hua Jiao
Hua Jiao
Gan Jiang
Gan Jiang
Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Yi Tang
Yi Tang
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King
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Warms and tonifies Middle Burner Deficiency
  2. Directs rebellious Qi downward
  3. Relieves pain

Patterns Treated

Empty-Cold

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 Da Jian Zhong Tang

Main Actions

Warms and tonifies Middle Burner Deficiency
Directs rebellious Qi downward
Relieves pain

Key TCM Concepts

Da Jian Zhong Tang is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Sichuan Pepper (Hua Jiao) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold. Its main actions are: 1) warms and tonifies Middle Burner Deficiency and 2) directs rebellious Qi downward.

 

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 Da Jian Zhong Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Empty-Cold. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Empty-Cold

Common Applications

Chronic gastritis Gastric ulcer Duodenal ulcer Chronic pancreatitis Chronic cholecystitis Urinary calculi Intestinal spasms

Ingredients in Da Jian Zhong Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Da Jian Zhong Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Hua Jiao
Hua Jiao

Sichuan pepper

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried pericarp of ripe fruit
Role in Da Jian Zhong Tang
Hua Jiao stimulates the Middle Burner Yang and dispelsColdness so as to relive pain. It also warms thegate of vitality (Ming Meng), so that the Yang is mobilized from its origin all the way up to the Upper Burner.
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Gan Jiang
Gan Jiang

Dried ginger

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Da Jian Zhong Tang
Gan Jiang supports the key herbs in warming the Middle Burner. It also prevents the Cold Stomach Qi going upwards so as to ease vomiting.
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Ren Shen
Ren Shen

Ginseng

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Da Jian Zhong Tang
In general Ren Shen's main actions are as follows: "Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit)."

In the context of Da Jian Zhong Tang, it is used because it tonifies and strengthen the Middle Burner Qi so as to relieve the abdominal pain.
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Yi Tang
Yi Tang

Maltose

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used The sugar
Role in Da Jian Zhong Tang
Yi Tang tonifies and strengthens the Middle Burner Qi so as to relieve the abdominal pain. It also counterbalances any excessive acrid and drying actions of the key herb so as to limit the Qi injuring.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Da Jian Zhong Tang

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

Contraindications

contraindicated in cases with internal clumping, Damp-Heat, or Yin and Blood Deficiency due to the formula's warming and drying actions.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Da Jian Zhong 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.