Formula Formulas that warm and purge

Wen Pi Tang

温脾汤

Also known as:

Warm the Speen Decoction

Formula Composition

Zhi Fu Zi
Zhi Fu Zi
Da Huang
Da Huang
Gan Jiang
Gan Jiang
Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
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Kings
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Warms and tonifies the Spleen Yang
  2. Clears Cold Evil

Patterns Treated

Spleen Yang Deficiency

Historical Origin

Important Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces (650 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Wen Pi Tang

Main Actions

Warms and tonifies the Spleen Yang
Clears Cold Evil

Key TCM Concepts

Wen Pi Tang is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) and Rhubarb (Da Huang) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 650 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm and purge. Its main actions are: 1) warms and tonifies the Spleen Yang and 2) clears Cold Evil.

 

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 Wen Pi Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Spleen Yang Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as ulcerative colitis, chronic bacillary dysentery or intestinal adhesions for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Spleen Yang Deficiency

Common Applications

Ulcerative colitis Chronic bacillary dysentery Intestinal adhesions Intestinal obstruction Chronic renal disease

Ingredients in Wen Pi Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Wen Pi Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Zhi Fu Zi
Zhi Fu Zi

Prepared aconite

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Spleen
Parts Used Processed daughter root
Role in Wen Pi Tang
Zhi Fu Zi is acrid and strongly warming. It disperses the congealed Cold, by stimulating the Yang of the Spleen.
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Da Huang
Da Huang

Rhubarb

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Wen Pi Tang
In general Da Huang's main actions are as follows: "Drains Excess Heat and eliminates Dampness, especially when in the Bright Yang stage according to the Six Stages Theory. Cools the Blood and stops bleeding. Invigorates Blood, breaks up Stasis and relieves pain. Clears Heat and toxins from Excess. Applied topically for Hot sores and Blood Stasis."

In the context of Wen Pi Tang, it is used because it flushes the Intestines and Stomach in order to eliminate Stagnation.
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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 Wen Pi Tang
Gan Jiang serves as the deputy by concentrating the formula's activity on the Spleen Yang. It is acrid and warming and it penetrates the Spleen and Stomach Channels. Together with Prepared aconite, they supports the SpleenYang so as to eliminate the Cold Evil.
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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 Wen Pi Tang
Ren Shen strengthens the Qi. It follows the principle that, in order to assist and warm the Spleen Yang, Qi must be augmented.
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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 Wen Pi Tang
Gan Cao strengthens the Qi. It follows the principle that, in order to assist and warm the Spleen Yang, Qi must be augmented. It also functions as an envoy to harmonize the contradictory functions of the different herbs in the formula, accommodating heating with cooling and tonifying with draining.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Wen Pi Tang

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

Contraindications

This formula is used to treat Interior Cold accumulations. It is not recommended in situations of constipation caused by Internal Heat, as it might cause clumping and harm to Body Fluids.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Wen Pi 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.