HUO XIANG ZHENG QI WAN(BP046) Agastache Formula 200 pillules Complex

Indication

This formula is from the ‘Formulary of the Tai Ping Welfare Dispensary Bureau’ (tai ping hui min he ji ju fang) (1151 CE), a compilation of popular and effective formulas that were used in the public dispensaries of the Song dynastic period.

The name of the formula (literally: ‘Agastache Formula for Restoring the Health Qi’) refers to the actions of the herbs Perilla (zi su ye), Angelica dahurica (bai zhi) and Platycodon (jie geng), which send the clear Qi upwards, complemented by the actions of Pinellia (ban xia), Areca (da fu pi) and Poria (fu ling), which send the turbid Qi downwards. Thus the normal ascending and descending movements of the health Qi (zheng qi) are restored.

Although originally used for cholera and similar disorders with sudden onset of simultaneous vomiting and diarrhoea (huo luan), the formula has a broad range of applications that centre on the stagnation of turbid Damp in the middle Jiao, disrupting the normal Qi movements of the Spleen and Stomach.

As mentioned previously under the formula Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan (BP005), the herbs that dispel Wind-Cold from the Exterior also have a specific action on the middle Jiao, i.e. sending the clear Qi upwards. Therefore the formula may also be used in cases with dysfunction of the middle Jiao due to turbid Damp without the presence of an Exterior syndrome.

The synergistic actions of the herbs are as follows:

Agastache herb (huo xiang): dries Damp and activates the Spleen to resolve turbid Damp, harmonises the middle Jiao and sends the Qi downward, releases Exterior Wind-Cold.

Perilla leaf (zi su ye), Platycodon root (jie geng), Angelica dahurica, root (bai zhi): release Exterior Wind-Cold, send the clear Qi upwards.

Magnolia bark (hou po), Areca husk (da fu pi), Citrus peel (chen pi), Pinellia tuber (ban xia): dry Damp, enliven the Spleen, regulate the Qi and harmonise the middle Jiao.

Pinellia tuber (ban xia), Areca husk (da fu pi), Poria cocos (fu ling): send the turbid Qi downwards.

Atractylodes rhizome (bai zhu), Poria cocos (fu ling), Ziziphus fruit (da zao), Zingiber rhizome (sheng jiang), Glycyrrhiza root (gan cao): tonify the Spleen Qi, harmonise the Stomach and Intestines, drain Damp.

Approximate equivalent Chinamed Gastro-Aid formula (CM182).

Indications:

Acute enteritis

Acute gastroenteritis

Common cold with digestive problems

Intestinal flu

Traveller’s diarrhoea

Food poisoning

Candidiasis (gastrointestinal)

Signs & Symptoms:

Nausea or vomiting

Borborygmus

Loose stools or diarrhoea

Chills and mild fever

Aversion to cold

Tongue has a white and greasy coat

Pulse may be soft and/or floating

Combinations:

Gastro intestinal ‘flu:

XIAO CHAI HU WAN

YIN QIAO WAN

RESISTANCE 2 Formula

Gastroenteritis, acute:

XIAO CHAI HU WAN

HUO LUO XIAO LING DAN

Irritable bowel syndrome:

BU ZHONG YI QI WAN

CHAI HU SHU GAN WAN

SHEN LING BAI ZHU SAN

FU ZI LI ZHONG WAN (jia Wei)

Malabsorption syndrome:

JIAN PI WAN

SHEN LING BAI ZHU SAN

HUO LUO XIAO LING DAN

Morning sickness in pregnancy:

WEN DAN TANG

BAN XIA HOU PU TANG (Jia Wei)

CLEAR THE PHLEGM Formula

TCM Syndromes: Stagnation of turbid Damp in the middle Jiao (leading to disordered Qi movement), Exterior Wind-Cold (possibly also with Damp).

TCM Actions: Releases Exterior Wind-Cold, resolves turbid Damp, regulates the Qi and harmonises the middle Jiao.