Chinese: 丁香柿蒂汤
Pinyin: Dīng Xiāng Shì Dì Tāng
Other names: Clove and Persimmon Calyx Decoction
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Formula category: Formulas for a rebellious Qi
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: Morning sicknessNeurological hiccupPostoperative spasms of the diaphragm
- Augments the Qi
- Warms the Middle Burner
- Directs Rebellious Qi downward
- Stops hiccup
Source date: 1706 AD
Source book: Symptom, Cause, Pulse, and Treatment
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Cloves (Ding Xiang) and Persimmon Calyxes (Shi Di) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 1706 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas for a rebellious Qi. Its main actions are: 1) augments the Qi and 2) warms the Middle Burner.
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 Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach or Rebellious Stomach Qi. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as morning sickness, neurological hiccup or postoperative spasms of the diaphragm for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the four ingredients in Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang helps treat.
The four ingredients in Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang
Ding Xiang is a king ingredient in Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Cloves (Ding Xiang)
Part used: Dried flower bud
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
In general Ding Xiang's main actions are as follows: "Warms the Middle Warmer and directs the Qi downward. Warms the Kidneys and boosts Yang ."
In the context of Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang, it is used because it warms the Stomach, dispels Cold, and directs the flow of Qi downward, stopping hiccup and belching.
Shi Di is a king ingredient in Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Persimmon Calyxes (Shi Di)
Part used: Dried persistent calyx
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: StomachLung
Category: Herbs that regulate Qi
In general Shi Di's main actions are as follows: "Directs the flow of Qi downward"
In the context of Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang, it is used because it is a major herb for stopping hiccup and belching.
Sheng Jiang is a deputy ingredient in Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang)
Sheng Jiang is extremely effective at warming the Stomach and directing Rebellious Qi downward. As such it is perfect against vomiting and nausea.
Ren Shen is an assistant ingredient in Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
4. Ginseng (Ren Shen)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
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 Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang, it is used because it strongly augments the Qi.
Conditions and patterns for which Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang may be prescribed
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang is used by TCM practitioners to treat two different patterns which we describe below.
But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:
Morning sickness Neurological hiccup Postoperative spasms of the diaphragm
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang treats morning sickness" for instance. Rather, Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind morning sickness.
Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo), Wiry (Xian)
Symptoms: Belching Hiccuping Weak Limbs Irritability Epigastric pain Frequent sighing Hypochondrial pain Sour regurgitation Nausea or vomiting Epigastric distension Hypochondrial distention A feeling of oppression in the epigastrium
Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach. This pattern leads to symptoms such as irritability, epigastric pain, epigastric distension and hypochondrial pain. Patients with Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach typically exhibit weak (Ruo) or wiry (Xian) pulses.
Liver Qi is said to be rebellious when its horizontal movement is accentuated. This interferes with the descending of Stomach Qi, making it ascend instead. Hence the symptoms of belching, nausea and vomiting. It is one of the reason causing Rebellious Stomach Qi.
Rebellious Liver Qi also impairs... read more about Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Rebellious Stomach Qi
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Symptoms: Nausea Belching Vomiting Hiccuping Difficulty swallowing
Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Rebellious Stomach Qi. This pattern leads to symptoms such as nausea, difficulty swallowing, belching and vomiting. Patients with Rebellious Stomach Qi typically exhibit tight (Jin) or wiry (Xian) pulses.
When the Qi of the Stomach is obstructed or interfered with it "rebels", meaning it ascends rather than descends.
It results in symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, belching and hiccups.
This frequently appears with other patterns, such as Stomach Fire, Stomach Qi Stagnation or Cold invading the... read more about Rebellious Stomach Qi
Formulas similar to Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang
Wu Zhu Yu Tang is 50% similar to Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang
Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang is 33% similar to Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang
Xiao Chai Hu Tang is 29% similar to Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang
Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang is 29% similar to Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang
Si Jun Zi Tang is 25% similar to Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang
Xiao Ban Xia Tang is 25% similar to Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang