Gypsum (Shi Gao) Ningpo figwort roots (Xuan Shen) Water buffalo horns (Shui Niu Jiao) Anemarrhena rhizomes (Zhi Mu)

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

  1. Clears Qi-level Heat
  2. 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

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

Taste(s): PungentSweet

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.

Learn more about Gypsum (Shi Gao)

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.

Learn more about Ningpo Figwort Roots (Xuan Shen)

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

Taste(s): BitterSalty

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.

Learn more about Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao)

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

Taste(s): BitterSweet

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.

Learn more about Anemarrhena Rhizomes (Zhi Mu)

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.

Learn more about Liquorice (Gan Cao)

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.

Learn more about Rice Sprouts (Jing Mi)

Formulas similar to Hua Ban Tang

Bai Hu Tang is 67% similar to Hua Ban Tang

Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang is 43% similar to Hua Ban Tang

Qing Wen Bai Du Yin is 36% similar to Hua Ban Tang

Mai Men Dong Tang is 33% similar to Hua Ban Tang

Yu Nu Jian is 33% similar to Hua Ban Tang

Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang is 33% similar to Hua Ban Tang