Chinese: 胃苓汤
Pinyin: Wèi líng tāng
Other names: Calm the Stomach and Poria Decoction
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that expel Dampness
Mother formula: Wu Ling San
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: EdemaHerpesAscites and twenty seven other conditions
- Promotes urination
- Warms the Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Drains Dampness
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Contraindications: It is not indicated for thirst due to Heat Excess or from Yin Deficiency. This... 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. see more
Source date: 1481 AD
Source book: Essential Teachings of {Zhu} Dan-Xi
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.
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.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the nine ingredients in Wei Ling Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Wei Ling Tang helps treat.
The nine ingredients in Wei Ling Tang
Ze Xie is a king ingredient in Wei Ling Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Water Plantain (Ze Xie)
Part used: Dried tuber
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: BladderKidney
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
Ze Xie leaches out Dampness and promotes urination. Its cold nature helps to eliminate the Stagnant Heat caused by water buildup.
Cang Zhu is a king ingredient in Wei Ling Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Black Atractylodes Rhizomes (Cang Zhu)
Part used: The dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
Cang Zhu is perhaps the best Chinese herb for dispelling Dampness and strengthening the transportive function of the Spleen.
Fu Ling is a deputy ingredient in Wei Ling Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
Part used: Dried sclerotium
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLungSpleen
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
Fu Ling is particularly effective in leaching out Dampness by promoting urination. It also strengthens the Spleen by supporting Yang.
Zhu Ling is a deputy ingredient in Wei Ling Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. Polyporus (Zhu Ling)
Part used: Dried sclerotium
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: BladderKidney
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
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.
Hou Pu is a deputy ingredient in Wei Ling Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
5. Houpu Magnolia Bark (Hou Pu)
Part used: Dried stem bark, root bark or branch bark
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: LungSpleenStomach
Category: Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
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.
Gui Zhi is an assistant ingredient in Wei Ling Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi)
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.
Bai Zhu is an assistant ingredient in Wei Ling Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
7. Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Bai Zhu strengthens the Spleen Qi, thereby helping it transform and transport Fluids (one of its key roles) and thus helping resolve Dampness.
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Wei Ling Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
8. Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi)
Chen Pi regulates the Qi and harmonizes the Stomach. It assists the deputy in directing Rebellious Qi downward and eliminating distention.
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Wei Ling Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
9. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Gan Cao tonifies the Spleen and enhances their Spleen-strengthening properties of the formula's other ingredients.
Conditions and patterns for which Wei Ling 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 Wei Ling 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:
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
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Wei Ling Tang treats edema" for instance. Rather, Wei Ling Tang is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind edema.
Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Wei Ling Tang.
'Cold' as a body pattern in Chinese Medicine is one of the so-called "Eight Principles". Learn more about Cold pattern in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Cold
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slippery (Hua), Slow (Chi), Soggy (Ru)
Symptoms: Fever Eczema Sneezing Diarrhea Neck pain Back pain Psoriasis Runny nose Cold limbs Joints pain Face pimple Mouth ulcers Facial plaque Swollen ankle Abdominal pain Feeling of cold White watery mucus Feeling of heaviness White and watery sputum Waist pain and soreness
Wei Ling Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Damp-Cold. This pattern leads to symptoms such as mouth ulcers, white and watery sputum, runny nose and white watery mucus. Patients with Damp-Cold typically exhibit deep (Chen), slippery (Hua), slow (Chi) or soggy (Ru) pulses.
Spleen Qi or Yang Deficiency is often the precursor of general Dampness in the body. It is because the Spleen is responsible for water or any Body Fluids transportation and transformation and its disfunction can lead to the formation of Dampness, which can eventually become Phlegm.
If there is... read more about Damp-Cold
The Uterus is a so-called "Extraordinary" Organ. Learn more about the Uterus in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua)
Symptoms: Edema Nausea Oedema Fatigue Obesity Dizziness Moodiness Amenorrhea Overweight Depression Late period Infertility Heavy limbs Loose stools Listlessness Palpitations Ovarian cysts Sputum throat Lack strength Scanty periods Ovarian myomas Chest fullness Vagina discharge Phantom pregnancy Shortness of breath Sore and weak limbs Lower abdominal pain Abodominal heaviness Dull-pale complexion Pale menstrual blood Dizziness or vertigo Feeling of heaviness Thick menstrual blood Sticky menstrual blood Brown vaginal discharge Polycystic ovary syndrome Excessive vaginal discharge Feeling of heaviness of body Menstruation decreases gratually Feeling of oppression of the chest
Wei Ling Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus. This pattern leads to symptoms such as late period, amenorrhea, scanty periods and lower abdominal pain. Patients with Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus typically exhibit slippery (Hua) pulses.
Whenever the body has Dampness or Phlegm, the Spleen is always the first Organ to be checked, because it is responsible for Body Fluids metabolism. The Spleen transforms, transports, and distributes drinks along with food Essence and Grain Qi.
When these functions are impaired, Damp-Phlegm forms... read more about Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
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