Formula Formulas that expel Dampness

Wei Ling Tang

胃苓汤

Also known as:

Calm the Stomach and Poria Decoction

Formula Composition

Ze Xie
Ze Xie
Cang Zhu
Cang Zhu
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Zhu Ling
Zhu Ling
Hou Pu
Hou Pu
Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
Chen Pi
Chen Pi
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Promotes urination
  2. Warms the Yang
  3. Strengthens the Spleen
  4. Drains Dampness
  5. Promotes the movement of Qi
  6. Harmonizes the Stomach

Patterns Treated

Damp-Cold, Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus

Historical Origin

Essential Teachings of {Zhu} 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 Wei Ling Tang

Main Actions

Promotes urination
Warms the Yang
Strengthens the Spleen
Drains Dampness
Promotes the movement of Qi
Harmonizes the Stomach

Key TCM Concepts

Wei Ling Tang is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Water Plantain (Ze Xie) and Black Atractylodes Rhizomes (Cang Zhu) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1481 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that expel Dampness. Its main actions are: 1) promotes urination and 2) warms the Yang.

 

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 Wei Ling Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Damp-Cold or Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as edema, gastritis or ascites for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Damp-Cold
  • Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus

Common Applications

Edema Gastritis Ascites Gastric neurosis Acute enteritis Diarrhea Meniere's disease Dysentery Vaginal discharge Stomach cancer Jaundice Chronic hepatitis Acute glomerulonephritis Arthralgia Lymphedema Gastroenteritis Nephritis Urinary retention Scrotal hydrocele Colitis Crohn's disease Oliguria Hypoglycemia Stomach flu Glomerulonephritis Anorexia Gastrectasis Indigestion Herpes Cirrhosis

Ingredients in Wei Ling Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Wei Ling Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Ze Xie
Ze Xie

Water plantain

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried tuber
Role in Wei Ling Tang
Ze Xie leaches out Dampness and promotes urination. Its cold nature helps to eliminate the Stagnant Heat caused by water buildup.
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Cang Zhu
Cang Zhu

Black atractylodes rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used The dried rhizome
Role in Wei Ling Tang
Cang Zhu is perhaps the best Chinese herb for dispelling Dampness and strengthening the transportive function of the Spleen.
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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 Wei Ling Tang
Fu Ling is particularly effective in leaching out Dampness by promoting urination. It also strengthens the Spleen by supporting Yang.
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Zhu Ling
Zhu Ling

Polyporus

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried sclerotium
Role in Wei Ling Tang
In general Zhu Ling's main actions are as follows: "Drains Dampness and encourages urination"

In the context of Wei Ling Tang, it is used because it eliminates Dampness and promotes urination.
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Hou Pu
Hou Pu

Houpu Magnolia bark

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried stem bark, root bark or branch bark
Role in Wei Ling Tang
In general Hou Pu's main actions are as follows: "Moves Rebellious Qi downward, dries Dampness and relieves Food Stagnation. Transforms Phlegm and redirects Rebellious Qi of the Lung."

In the context of Wei Ling Tang, it is used because it moves the Qi, disperses fullness, and directs the Qi downward. It also helps transform Dampness.
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Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi

Cinnamon twigs

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried young branches
Role in Wei Ling Tang
Gui Zhi serves as both an assistant and envoy in this formula. When the retention of Dampness obstructs the circulation of Fluids, the Kidneys and Bladder may be unable to transform them. Cinnamon twigs are used to warm the Fire at the gate of vitality, which is like adding firewood under the cauldron. Not only does this assist the Bladder in transforming and discharging urine, it also helps the Spleen Qi to raise the clear, thus facilitating the movement and 'steaming' of the Fluids by the Kidneys. In this respect, it serves as an envoy to the Kidneys and Bladder. As an assistant, it also helps to dispel pathogenic influences from the Exterior and thereby release the exterior aspects of the greater Yang-warp disorder.
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Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu

Atractylodes rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Wei Ling Tang
Bai Zhu strengthens the Spleen Qi, thereby helping it transform and transport Fluids (one of its key roles) and thus helping resolve Dampness.
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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 Wei Ling Tang
Chen Pi regulates the Qi and harmonizes the Stomach. It assists the deputy in directing Rebellious Qi downward and eliminating distention.
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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 Wei Ling Tang
Gan Cao tonifies the Spleen and enhances their Spleen-strengthening properties of the formula's other ingredients.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Wei Ling Tang

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

Contraindications

It is not indicated for thirst due to Heat Excess or from Yin Deficiency. This formula contains warm, drying herbs that readily injure the Yin and Blood, and should therefore only be used with significant modification for patients with Yin or Blood Deficiency. Caution must also be exercised when using the formula during pregnancy. In patients with Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency, the dosage and duration of use of this formula must be carefully limited.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Wei Ling 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.