Chinese: 枳实导滞丸
Pinyin: Zhǐ Shí Dǎo Zhì Wán
Other names: Citrus Eliminating Stagnation Pill, Unripe Bitter Orange Pill to Guide Out Stagnation
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that reduce food accumulation and transform Stagnation
- Reduces and guides out stagnation and accumulation
- Drains heat
- Dispels dampness
Contraindications: Indicated only for Excess patterns. Contraindicated for dysenteric disorders in... Indicated only for Excess patterns. Contraindicated for dysenteric disorders in the absence of Qi Stagnation. see more
Source date: 1247 AD
Source book: Clarifying Doubts about Damage from Internal and External Causes
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.
Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Immature Bitter Oranges (Zhi Shi) and Rhubarb (Da Huang) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 1247 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that reduce food accumulation and transform Stagnation. Its main actions are: 1) reduces and guides out stagnation and accumulation and 2) drains heat.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the eight ingredients in Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan, we review the patterns and conditions that Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan helps treat.
The eight ingredients in Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan
Zhi Shi is a king ingredient in Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. 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 Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan, it is used because it breaks up stagnant Qi and reduce accumulation.
Da Huang is a king ingredient in Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Rhubarb (Da Huang)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomachLarge intestineLiverPericardium
Category: Purgative herbs that drain downward
Da Huang strongly mobilizes the Stomach and Intestines to flush away accumulated obstruction due to Heat from Excess
Shen Qu is a deputy ingredient in Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Medicated Leaven (Shen Qu)
Part used: This is a fermented combination of wheat flour, Artemisia annua, Xanthium, Polygonum hydropiper and other herbs.
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Herbs that relieve Food Stagnation
Shen Qu reduces the stagnant accumulation of alcohol, one of the main causes of Damp-Heat. It also directs Qi downward to transform Phlegm, warms the Stomach to transform thin mucus, and strengthens the Spleen to alleviate diarrhea and distention.
Fu Ling is an assistant ingredient in Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
4. 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 Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan, it is used because it promotes water metabolism to facilitate the draining of Damp-Heat via the urine.
Huang Qin is an assistant ingredient in Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
5. Baikal Skullcap Roots (Huang Qin)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: GallbladderHeartLarge intestineLungSmall intestineSpleen
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
In general Huang Qin's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat and Dampness. Clears Upper Burner Heat, especially of the Lung. Clears Heat and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears pathogenic Heat which is upsetting the fetus. Cools the Liver, reducing Liver Yang rising syndrome."
In the context of Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan, it is used because it drains Heat, dries Dampness, and stops dysenteric disorders.
Huang Lian is an assistant ingredient in Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: GallbladderHeartLarge intestineLiverSpleenStomach
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
In general Huang Lian's main actions are as follows: "Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Lower Burner. Eliminates Fire toxicity especially when there is associated Dampness. Acts as a sedative by eliminating Heart Fire. Eliminates Stomach Fire. Expel parasites"
In the context of Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan, it is used because it drains Heat, dries Dampness, and stops dysenteric disorders.
Bai Zhu is an assistant ingredient in Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan. 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 and augments the Qi to balance the draining action of the other ingredients and protect the normal Qi
Ze Xie is an assistant ingredient in Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
8. Water Plantain (Ze Xie)
Part used: Dried tuber
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: BladderKidney
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
In general Ze Xie's main actions are as follows: "Causes urination and removes Damp-Heat"
In the context of Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan, it is used because it promotes water metabolism to facilitate the draining of Damp-Heat via the urine.
Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan is used to treat Food Stagnation in the Stomach
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Food Stagnation in the Stomach
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Full (Shi)
Symptoms: Nausea Belching Insomnia Foul breath Poor appetite Sour regurgitation vomiting of sour fluids Loose stools or constipation Abdominal pain due to overeating Fullness and pain of the epigastrium which are relieved by vomiting
Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Food Stagnation in the Stomach. This pattern leads to symptoms such as fullness and pain of the epigastrium which are relieved by vomiting, nausea, vomiting of sour fluids and foul breath. Patients with Food Stagnation in the Stomach typically exhibit slippery (Hua) or full (Shi) pulses.
This pattern tends to mostly occur in children or babies whose Stomach and Spleen are weak and food therefore tends to accumulate.
Adults can be affected too: most people can probably remember overeating a holiday meal with the accompanying bloating, belching, pain and poor sleep that resulted.
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