Formula External formulas for External disorders

Ren Shen Bai Du San

人参败毒散

Also known as:

Ginseng Powder to Overcome Pathogenic Influences , Shi Wei Tang , Ten-Ingredient Decoction

Formula Composition

Qiang Huo
Qiang Huo
Du Huo
Du Huo
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Chai Hu
Chai Hu
Bo He
Bo He
Jie Geng
Jie Geng
Qian Hu
Qian Hu
Zhi Ke
Zhi Ke
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang
Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
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Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula
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From $35.00

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Releases the Exterior
  2. Dispels Wind and Dampness
  3. Augments Qi

Patterns Treated

Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency

Historical Origin

Craft of Medicines and Patterns for Children (1119 AD )

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Ren Shen Bai Du San

Main Actions

Releases the Exterior
Dispels Wind and Dampness
Augments Qi

Key TCM Concepts

Ren Shen Bai Du San is a 12-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo) and Pubescent Angelica Roots (Du Huo) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1119 AD, it belongs to the category of external formulas for External disorders. Its main actions are: 1) releases the Exterior and 2) dispels Wind and Dampness.

 

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 Ren Shen Bai Du San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as common cold, influenza or mumps for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Wind-Cold-Damp invading with Qi Deficiency

Common Applications

Common cold Influenza Mumps Bronchitis Dysentery Boils Dermatitis Urticaria Eczema Acute viral hepatitis Infantile diarrhea

Ingredients in Ren Shen Bai Du San

Detailed information about each herb in Ren Shen Bai Du San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Qiang Huo
Qiang Huo

Notopterygium roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried rhizome and root
Role in Ren Shen Bai Du San
Qiang Huo dispels Wind Cold from the Exterior, dispels Dampness and alleviatespain. It treat the symptoms of fever and chills without sweating, headache, and common pain and soreness.
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Du Huo
Du Huo

Pubescent angelica roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Ren Shen Bai Du San
Du Huo dispels Wind Cold from the Exterior, dispels Dampness and alleviatespain. It treat the symptoms of fever and chills without sweating, headache, and common pain and soreness.
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Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong

Szechuan lovage roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Ren Shen Bai Du San
Chuan Xiong assists the two key herbs in releasing the Exterior, invigorates the Blood and dispels Wind. It strengthens the the formula's pain relieving action, particularly in the head and neck.
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Chai Hu
Chai Hu

Bupleurum roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Ren Shen Bai Du San
Chai Hu releases the Exterior, reduces the fever, and expels the pathogenic influences. Together with Wild mint, they are especially useful in releasing pathogenic influences from the muscle layer.
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Bo He
Bo He

Wild mint

Temperature Cool
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried aerial parts
Role in Ren Shen Bai Du San
Bo He releases the Exterior, reduces the fever, and expels the pathogenic influences. Together with Bupleurum root, they are especially useful in releasing pathogenic influences from the muscle layer.
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Jie Geng
Jie Geng

Platycodon roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Ren Shen Bai Du San
Jie Geng invigorates Qi in the chest by directing it upwards, so as to ease chest discomfort. When combining with Qi descending herb Bitter orange, it is very power in invigorating Lung Qi, expelling Phlegm and stopping coughing, as they interact with Phlegm removing herb Hogfennel root.
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Qian Hu
Qian Hu

Hogfennel roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Ren Shen Bai Du San
Qian Hu works together with Platycodon root and Bitter Orange in invigorating Lung Qi, expelling Phlegm, and stopping the coughing. It also works with Poria-cocos mushroom in transforming Phlegm and strengthening the Spleen.
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Zhi Ke
Zhi Ke

Bitter oranges

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent, Sour
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Ren Shen Bai Du San
Zhi Ke invigorates Qi in the chest by directing it upwards, so as to ease chest discomfort. When combining with Qi descending herb Bitter orange, it is very power in invigorating Lung Qi, expelling Phlegm and stopping coughing, as they interact with Phlegm removing herb Hogfennel root.
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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 Ren Shen Bai Du San
Fu Ling transforms Phlegm and strengthens the Spleen, when combing with Hogfennel root. It also releases Dampness and promotes urination. It is able to tonify without causing Stagnation or retention of pathogenic influences.
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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 Ren Shen Bai Du San
In general Sheng Jiang's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning."

In the context of Ren Shen Bai Du San, it is used because it helps releasing the Exterior.
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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 Ren Shen Bai Du San
Ren Shen strengthens the normal Qi so as to expel the pathogenic influences, helps creating Body Fluids to generate sweating, and strengthens the body's resistance to recurrent invasion, which prevents a relapse.
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Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Ren Shen Bai Du San
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."

In the context of Ren Shen Bai Du San, it is used because it harmonizes the actions of the other ingredients and assisting Ginseng in tonifying general Qi.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Ren Shen Bai Du San

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated for Heat or Damp Heat cases due to the warming and drying actions of the many ingredients.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Ren Shen Bai Du 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.