Chinese: 香砂养胃丸
Pinyin: Xiāng Shā Yǎng Wèi Wán
Other names: Nourish the Stomach Pill with Aucklandia andAmomum
Number of ingredients: 13 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that tonify Qi
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: VomitingPoor appetiteLoss of taste and four other conditions
- Strengthens and harmonizes the Spleen and Stomach
- Resolves Dampness
Source date: 1587 AD
Source book: Restoration of Health from the Myriad 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.
Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan is a 13-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula.
Invented in 1587 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Qi. Its main actions are: 1) strengthens and harmonizes the Spleen and Stomach and 2) resolves Dampness.
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 Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold or Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as poor appetite, loss of taste or focal distention for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the thirteen ingredients in Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan, we review the patterns and conditions that Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan helps treat.
The thirteen ingredients in Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan
1. Costus Roots (Mu Xiang)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: GallbladderLarge intestineLiverLungSpleenStomach
Category: Herbs that regulate Qi
Mu Xiang circulates Qi in the Middle Burner, as well as remove Dampness. It also warms the Middle and stops pain.
3. Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
Part used: Dried sclerotium
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLungSpleen
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
In general Fu Ling's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit."
In the context of Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan, it is used because it removes Dampness from the Middle Burner by encouraging urination.
4. Coco-Grass Rhizomes (Xiang Fu)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSanjiaoSpleen
Category: Herbs that regulate Qi
Xiang Fu circulates Qi in the Middle Burner, as well as remove Dampness. It also warms the Middle and stops pain.
5. Cardamon Fruits (Bai Dou Kou)
Part used: Fruits
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomachLung
Category: Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
Bai Dou Kou circulates Qi in the Middle Burner, as well as remove Dampness. It also warms the Middle and stops pain.
6. Korean Mint (Huo Xiang)
Part used: Dried aerial parts
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
Meridian affinity: LungSpleenStomach
Category: Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
Huo Xiang transforms Dampness that is obstructing the Stomach and Spleen. It also harmonizes the Middle Warmer, for nausea and vomiting.
7. Amomum Fruits (Sha Ren)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
Meridian affinity: KidneySpleenStomach
Category: Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
Sha Ren circulates Qi in the Middle Burner, as well as remove Dampness. It also warms the Middle and stops pain.
8. Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi)
Chen Pi circulates Qi in the Middle Burner, as well as remove Dampness. It also warms the Middle and stops pain.
9. Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia)
Part used: Dried rhizome and tuber
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
In general Ban Xia's main actions are as follows: "Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention."
In the context of Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan, it is used because it strengthens the Spleen by removing the Dampness.
10. Immature Bitter Oranges (Zhi Shi)
Part used: Dried unripe fruit
Nature: Cool
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomachLarge intestine
Category: Herbs that regulate Qi
In general Zhi Shi's main actions are as follows: "Regulates the flow of Qi in the Middle Burner and reduces Food Stagnation. Moves Qi downward and helps constipation. Reduces Stagnant Phlegm and lessens distention and pain. For prolapse of organs when used with the appropriate herbs."
In the context of Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan, it is used because it regulates the flow of Qi in the Middle Burner and reduces Food Stagnation. .
11. 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
Hou Pu circulates Qi in the Middle Burner, as well as remove Dampness. It also warms the Middle and stops pain.
12. 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 Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan, it is used because it harmonizes all ingredients of the formula.
13. Codonopsis Roots (Dang Shen)
In general Dang Shen's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen and Lung Qi. Assists in the secretion of Bodily Fluids."
In the context of Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan, it is used because it tonifies the Spleen and Lung Qi. It also assists in the secretion of Bodily Fluids.
Conditions and patterns for which Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan 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 Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan 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:
Poor appetite Loss of taste Focal distention Epigastric discomfort General weakness Vomiting Weakness of the limbs
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan treats poor appetite" for instance. Rather, Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind poor appetite.
Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan.
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Symptoms: No thirst Tiredness Weak limbs Cold limbs Poor appetite Pale complexion Vomiting of clear fluids Preference for warm drinks and foods Epigastric pain relieved with pressure or eating
Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold. This pattern leads to symptoms such as epigastric pain relieved with pressure or eating, poor appetite, preference for warm drinks and foods and vomiting of clear fluids. Patients with Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold typically exhibit deep (Chen), slow (Chi) or weak (Ruo) pulses.
Also called Stomach Yang Deficiency, this pattern is normally associated with Spleen-Yang Deficiency, which leads to Internal Cold, resulting in cold limbs, loose stools, vomiting of clear fluids, no thirst, preference for warm drinks and foods and a Weak pulse.
When Stomach Qi is deficient, it may... read more about Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
Symptoms: Tiredness Lassitude Weak Limbs Loose stools Poor appetite Lack of taste Pale complexion Epigastrium discomfort Slight abdominal distension after eating
Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as poor appetite, slight abdominal distension after eating, tiredness and lassitude. Patients with Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency typically exhibit empty (Xu) pulses.
It's very common for Stomach Qi Deficiency to be paired with Spleen Qi Deficiency since both Organs are so closely intertwined. The Stomach receives food and then sends the pure portion to the Spleen. Together they rule transportation of food essences.
Since they're the root of Grain Qi for the... read more about Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency
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