Chinese: 化斑汤
Pinyin: Huà Bān Tāng
Other names: Transform Maculae Decoction
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that clear Heat from Qi and Blood
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: Macular rash
- Clears Qi-level Heat
- Cools the Blood
Contraindications: Contraindicated in cases with Yang Deficiency or weak Spleen and Stomach.
Source date: 1798 AD
Source book: Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases
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.
Hua Ban Tang is a 6-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Gypsum (Shi Gao) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 1798 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat from Qi and Blood. Its main actions are: 1) clears Qi-level Heat and 2) cools the Blood.
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.
From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as macular rash for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the six ingredients in Hua Ban Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Hua Ban Tang helps treat.
The six ingredients in Hua Ban Tang
Shi Gao is a king ingredient in Hua Ban Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Gypsum (Shi Gao)
Part used: The mineral itself
Nature: Cold
Meridian affinity: LungStomach
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
In general Shi Gao's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and drains Fire. Clears Lung Heat. Relieves thirst and restlessness. Clears Stomach Heat."
In the context of Hua Ban Tang, it is used because it clears the intense Heat in the Qi Level that is the root cause of the disease.
Xuan Shen is a deputy ingredient in Hua Ban Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. Ningpo Figwort Roots (Xuan Shen)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: Large intestineLiverStomach
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
Xuan Shen resolves Toxic-Heat in the Blood Level and nourish the Yin Fluids, thereby helping to push the pathogen back to the Qi level.
Shui Niu Jiao is a deputy ingredient in Hua Ban Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao)
Part used: The horn, as a powder or as thin scrapes
Nature: Cold
Meridian affinity: StomachHeartLiver
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
Shui Niu Jiao resolves Toxic-Heat in the Blood Level and nourish the Yin Fluids, thereby helping to push the pathogen back to the Qi level.
Zhi Mu is an assistant ingredient in Hua Ban Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
4. Anemarrhena Rhizomes (Zhi Mu)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Cold
Meridian affinity: KidneyLungStomach
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
In general Zhi Mu's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and Fire from the Qi level. Clears Heat and Fire from the Lung and Stomach. Clears Heat and tonifies the Yin."
In the context of Hua Ban Tang, it is used because it drain Heat from the Qi-Level.
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Hua Ban Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
5. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
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 Hua Ban Tang, it is used because it supplies the Middle Burner Qi and harmonizes the actions of the other ingredients.
Jing Mi is an envoy ingredient in Hua Ban Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
6. Rice Sprouts (Jing Mi)
Part used: Seed kernels
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Jing Mi's main actions are as follows: "Replenishes Qi and tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Eliminates thirst. Stops diarrhea."
In the context of Hua Ban Tang, it is used because it supplies the Middle Burner Qi and harmonizes the actions of the other ingredients.
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