Banxia Xiexin Tang: Classic TCM Formula

Name

Banxia Xiexin Tang (Pinellia Decoction for Purging Stomach Fire)

Source

The book Shang Han Lun

Ingredients

• Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) 9 g
• Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) 6 g
• Gan Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis) 6 g
• Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng) 6 g
• Zhi Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata) 6 g
• Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis) 3 g
• Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) 4 dates

Explanation

• Ban Xia is the principal drug. Pungent in flavor and warm in nature, it disperses the accumulation of pathogens and lets the adverse flow of stomach qi go downward to arrest vomiting.
• Gan Jiang, pungent in flavor and warm in nature, dispels pathogenic cold.
• Huang Qin and Huang Lian purge pathogenic heat.
• Ren Shen and Da Zao replenish the qi of the middle jiao.
• Gan Cao invigorates the spleen and stomach and moderates the actions of all the other ingredients.

Nature and action

It lets the upward adverse flow of stomach qi go downward to regulate the function of the stomach, and disperses the accumulation of pathogens to relieve distension.

Indications

Syndrome due to the accumulation of pathogenic cold and heat in the intestines and stomach, marked by epigastric fullness without painful sensation, retching or vomiting, bowel sounds, loose stools, a thin yellowish greasy tongue coating, and a taut, rapid pulse. It is also applied in diseases carrying these signs and symptoms, such as chronic gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcer, gastroneurosis and chronic enteritis.

Dosage and administration

Decoct in water and take the decoction in two doses.