Formula Formulas that reduce food accumulation and transform Stagnation

Fei Er Wan

肥儿丸

Also known as:

Fat Baby Pill

Formula Composition

Shi Jun Zi
Shi Jun Zi
Bing Lang
Bing Lang
Huang Lian
Huang Lian
Rou Dou Kou
Rou Dou Kou
Shen Qu
Shen Qu
Mai Ya
Mai Ya
Mu Xiang
Mu Xiang
Zhu Dan
Zhu Dan
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Kills parasites
  2. Reduces accumulation
  3. Strengthens the Spleen
  4. Clears Heat

Patterns Treated

Stomach Heat or Fire, Spleen Qi Deficiency

Historical Origin

Comprehensive and Subtle Discussion of Children's Health (1156 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Fei Er Wan

Main Actions

Kills parasites
Reduces accumulation
Strengthens the Spleen
Clears Heat

Key TCM Concepts

Fei Er Wan is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Quisqualis Fruits (Shi Jun Zi) and Areca Nuts (Bing Lang) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1156 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that reduce food accumulation and transform Stagnation. Its main actions are: 1) kills parasites and 2) reduces accumulation.

 

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 Fei Er Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Stomach Heat or Fire or Spleen Qi Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as ascariasis, hookworm or chronic indigestion in children for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Stomach Heat or Fire
  • Spleen Qi Deficiency

Common Applications

Ascariasis Hookworm Chronic indigestion in children

Ingredients in Fei Er Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Fei Er Wan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Shi Jun Zi
Shi Jun Zi

Quisqualis fruits

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used The fluits
Role in Fei Er Wan
In general Shi Jun Zi's main actions are as follows: "Kills parasites. Improves children's digestion"

In the context of Fei Er Wan, it is used because it has a strong effect on killing parasites.
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Bing Lang
Bing Lang

Areca nuts

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Large Intestine, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe seed
Role in Fei Er Wan
In general Bing Lang's main actions are as follows: "Destroys parasites. Regulates Qi circulation. Promotes urination."

In the context of Fei Er Wan, it is used because it has a strong effect on killing parasites.
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Huang Lian
Huang Lian

Goldthread rhizomes

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Large Intestine, Liver, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Fei Er Wan
Huang Lian clears Heat. It also assists the key ingredients in directing the parasites downward. The combination of Nutmeg and Goldthread rhizome treats Spleen Deficiency due to accumulation with accompanying Heat.
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Rou Dou Kou
Rou Dou Kou

Nutmeg

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Large Intestine, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried kernel
Role in Fei Er Wan
Rou Dou Kou strengthens the Spleen. The combination of Nutmeg and Goldthread rhizome treats Spleen Deficiency due to accumulation with accompanying Heat.
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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 Fei Er Wan
In general Shen Qu's main actions are as follows: "Assists the Stomach in removing Food Stagnation. Harmonizes the Earth element and improves digestion."

In the context of Fei Er Wan, it is used because it directly reduce Food Stagnation.
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Mai Ya
Mai Ya

Malt

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried germinated ripe fruit
Role in Fei Er Wan
In general Mai Ya's main actions are as follows: "Assists the Stomach to move Food Stagnation. Strengthens the Spleen. Stops the flow of mother's milk. Assists in the smooth flow of Liver Qi."

In the context of Fei Er Wan, it is used because it directly reduce Food Stagnation.
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Mu Xiang
Mu Xiang

Costus roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Large Intestine, Liver, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Fei Er Wan
In general Mu Xiang's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Stagnation of Qi of the digestion in the Spleen, Stomach and Intestines. Relieves Qi Stagnation of the Liver and Gallbladder. Strengthens the Spleen and is used with tonifying herbs to prevent their potential cloying effects."

In the context of Fei Er Wan, it is used because it promotes the Qi movement in the Middle Burner..
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Zhu Dan
Zhu Dan

Pig galls

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Large Intestine, Liver, Lungs
Parts Used The pig gall often in the form of bile or bile powder
Role in Fei Er Wan
Zhu Dan , when combined Goldthread rhizome, it drains accumulated Stomach Heat, and conducts the actions of the other ingredients into the Stomach.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Fei Er Wan

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

Contraindications

This formula should be used only for primarily excessive types of childhood nutritional impairment, as it has no significant tonifying actions. Its name should not mislead one into using it as a general tonic or everyday supplement.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Fei Er 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.