HERB FORMULAS

HOU PO WEN ZHONG TANG - 厚朴温中汤 - MAGNOLIA BARK DECOCTION FOR WARMING THE MIDDLE

English: Magnolia Bark Decoction for Warming the Middle
Also Known As: Magnolia Warm the Center Decoction
Magnolia Combination
Decoction of Magnolia to Warm the Spleen and Stomach

HERBS AND ACTIONS

Pharmaceutical Latin
Pin Yin
Dosage
Actions
Ginger Cx. Magnoliae Officinalis Jiang Hou Po 9-30g Promotes the movement of Qi in the Middle Jiao, resolves Stagnation, dries Dampness, transforms Phlegm, descends Rebellious Qi, and calms wheezing.
With Gan Jian, for acute diarrhea from Cold attacking the Middle.
With Gan Jiang and Cao Dou Kou, for Cold-Dampness in the Middle Jiao.
Sm. Alpiniae Katsumadai Cao Dou Kou 6-15g Dries Dampness, warms the Middle Jiao, stops vomiting and strengthens the Spleen.
With Hou Po, for Cold-Dampness in the Middle Jiao when Dampness predominates.
Per. Citri Reticulatae Chen Pi 6-30g Regulates Qi, adjusts the Middle, relieves the diaphragm, dries Dampness and transforms Phlegm.
(Exocarpium Citri Grandis) (Hua Ju Hong) (10g) (Substitutes for Chen Pi)
Rx. Aucklandiae Mu Xiang 6-15g Promotes the movement of Qi, prevents Stagnation, strengthens the Spleen, and alleviates pain.
Rz. Zingiberis Gan Jiang 1.5-6g Warms the Middle and expels Cold.
With Zhi Gan Cao, for epigastric pain and vomiting due to Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold.
With Jiang Hou Po, for epigastric distention and pain due to Cold-induced congested fluids.
Poria Fu Ling 9-15g Promotes urination, leaches out Dampness, strengthens the Spleen, harmonizes the Middle Jiao and transforms Phlegm.
with Mu Xiang, for diarrhea and borborygmus due to Dampness.
Rx. Glycyrrhizae Preparata Zhi Gan Cao 3-15g Tonifies the Spleen, augments Qi and moderates and harmonizes the harsh properties of other herbs.

FORMULA ACTIONS

  • Promotes the movement of Qi
  • Eliminates fullness
  • Dries Dampness
  • Warms the Middle Jiao

SYNDROMES

  • Cold-Dampness injuring the Spleen and Stomach

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

  • Epigastric and abdominal distention and fullness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Tired extremities
  • Loose stools or diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Flatulence
  • Vomiting of clear liquid
  • Leukorrhagia
  • Lethargy
  • T: Pale
  • C: White and slippery
  • P: Deep and wiry or Slippery and thready

TREATS

CONTRAINDICATIONS AND HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Contraindicated for those with abdominal distention or pain together with Qi Deficiency or Stomach Yin Deficiency.
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

NOTES

  • This formula is usually prescribed for those with abdominal flatulence or pain due over consumption of raw and cold foods and damage of the Middle Jiao by Cold in a healthy individual.

MODIFICATIONS

For severe epigastric pain: For Food Stagnation:
+ Rx. Salviae Miltiorrhizae Dan Shen + Fr. Crataegi Shan Zha
For hypochondriac pain and acid reflux:
+ Fr. Hordei Germinatus Mai Ya
+ Left Metal Pill
Zuo Jin Wan
+ Massa Medicata Fermentata Shen Qu
For abdominal pain and diarrhea:
For nausea and vomiting of clear, watery fluid:
+ Rz. Atractylodes Cang Zhu + Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum Zhi Ban Xia
+ Fr. Amomi Sha Ren + Rz. Atractylodes Macrocephalae Bai Zhu
For accompanying cold body and extremities due to Deficiency Cold:
For edema and a heavy feeling in the body:
+ Rx. Aconiti Lateralis Preparata Zhi Fu Zi + Per. Arecae Da Fu Pi
+ Cx. Cinnamomi Rou Gui
For severe pain:
For diarrhea with abdominal flatulence due to Cold-Dampness of the Spleen and Stomach with Qi stagnation:
 + Cx. Cinnamomi Rou Gui
-- Rx. Glycyrrhizae Preparata Zhi Gan Cao + Rz/ Alpiniae Officinarum Gao Liang Jiang
+ Sm. Arecae Bing Lang
For leukorrhea with a thin discharge and fullness of the lower abdomen due to Cold-Dampness Attacking Downward:
+ Rz. Atractylodes Cang Zhu -- Rx. Glycyrrhizae Preparata Zhi Gan Cao
    + Rz. Atractylodes Macrocephalae Bai Zhu
    + Ram. Cinnamomi Gui Zhi