Dries Dampness, transforms Phlegm, regulates the Qi and harmonises the middle Jiao

• Coughing of copious white sputum that’s easy to shift
• Focal distension and a stifling sensation in the chest and diaphragm
• Palpitations, nausea or vomiting, dizziness
• A swollen tongue with a thick, greasy white coating
• A slippery pulse

• Ban Xia (chief) warm and acrid, dries Dampness, expels Phlegm and makes rebellious Stomach Qi descend.
• Chen Pi (chief) is fragrant and revives the Spleen and facilitates the flow of Qi in the middle Jiao to ease distension, coughing and nausea.
• Fu Ling (deputy) leaches Dampness from the middle Jiao and strengthens the Spleen, while also resolving palpitations and dizziness due to Phlegm.
• Zhi Gan Cao (assistant) tonifies the Spleen.
• Sheng Jiang can be added to assist Ban Xia in controlling nausea.
• This formula is the basis of dozens of others, from Wen Dan Tang to Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang and Liu Jun Zi Tang.

• Sheng Jiang can be added to assist Ban Xia in controlling nausea
• Wu Mei can be added to counterbalance the dispersing action of Ban Xia to preserve Lung Qi
• Damp-Heat in the upper Jiao: add Huang Qin, Xing Ren and Jie Geng
• Damp-Heat in the middle Jiao: add Huang Lian, Huo Xiang, Hou Po and Yi Yi Ren
• Damp-Heat in the lower Jiao: add Huang Bai, Ku Shen and Hua Shi
• Wind-Dampness: add Wei Ling Xian, Qin Jiao, Cang Er Zi and Gui Zhi
• Cough with copious sputum due to external Wind-Cold: add Ma Huang and Xing Ren
• Vomiting due to cold in the Stomach: add Gan Jiang and Sha Ren
• Chronic Phlegm in the channels causing nodules: add Mu Li, Xuan Shen, Kun Bu and Hai Zao
• Insomnia and desire to sleep in the day after meals: add Bai Zhu and Shi Chang Pu

• This formula is for Damp-Phlegm due to the Spleen being unable to transport fluids properly, which accumulate and form Phlegm.
• The accumulation of Damp-Phlegm in turn, burdens the Spleen and further impedes the transportation of fluids.
• Phlegm obstructs the Qi mechanism in the middle Jiao causing focal distension and a stifling sensation in the chest and palpitations.
• Phlegm follows the flow of Qi upwards to the Lungs, disrupting the Qi mechanism and causing coughing, nausea or vomiting.
• The sputum is white, copious and easy to shift because it’s generated by Dampness and deficiency.
• Dizziness is a result of Phlegm in the middle Jiao obstructing the ascent of clear Yang.
• The slippery pulse and swollen tongue with a thick, greasy white coating indicate Phlegm-Dampness.
• The underlying ‘root’ of this condition is Spleen Qi deficiency enabling Damp-Phlegm to form, which then disrupts and weakens the Qi mechanism.
• With the appropriate presentation, the formula can be used for upper respiratory tract infections, chronic bronchitis, goitre, chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer and Meniere’s disease.

Improper use will lead to excessive thirst and a dry mouth
Contraindicated when a cough is associated with Lung Yin deficiency

Regulates the Qi, transforms Phlegm, clears the Gallbladder and harmonises the Stomach
Clears Damp-Heat from the Qi Level of the Shao-Yang Stage

• Copious sputum
• Dizziness, vertigo
• Focal distension in the chest
• Nausea or vomiting, irritability
• A bitter taste and slight thirst
• Palpitations, insomnia, anxiety
• Indeterminate gnawing hunger
• Seizures accompanied by copious sputum
• Chills and fever
• A thick, greasy yellow tongue coating
• A rapid pulse that’s either slippery or wiry

• Damp-Heat in the Qi Level of the Shao-Yang Stage
• Chills and fever, focal distension of the chest, distension of the abdomen, frequent dark and scanty urine
• Greasy yellow tongue coating and red spots on the sides of the tongue

• Zhu Ru (chief) clears Heat and Phlegm from the Stomach and Gallbladder and reverses the rebellious Qi.
• Zhi Shi (deputy) assists Zhu Ru in reversing the flow of rebellious Qi and effectively treats focal distension.
• Ban Xia and Chen Pi (assistants) dry Dampness and expel Phlegm and regulate Qi by strengthening the Spleen transportive function.
• Fu Ling and Gan Cao (assistants)  strengthen the Spleen, leach Dampness and harmonise the functions of the middle Jiao and also calm the Spirit.
• Sheng Jiang (envoy) regulates the Stomach and Gallbladder dynamic and assists the other herbs in controlling nausea and vomiting.
• Although the formula clears Heat, it’s not overly Cold and effectively treats the pathological mechanisms of Heat and Phlegm.

• Severe vertigo: add Bai Shao, Dai Zhe Shi and Huang Qin
• Insomnia: add Hu Po, Suan Zao Ren and Mu Li
• Severe insomnia due to Heart and Gallbladder deficiency: add Ren Shen, Shi Gao, Mai Men Dong, Long Yan Rou and Suan Zao Ren
• Tinnitus and hearing loss from retention of Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder: add Chai Hu, Gou Teng, Ju Hua, Shi Chang Pu and Tong Cao

• The formula treats disharmony between the Stomach and Gallbladder with Phlegm-Heat, as well as Damp-Heat from the Qi Level of the Lesser (Shao)-Yang Stage.
• Phlegm in the Stomach leads to focal distension, copious sputum, greasy tongue coat and a slippery pulse.
• Heat in the Gallbladder causes a bitter taste, yellow tongue coating and rapid slippery or wiry pulse.
• Phlegm-Heat causes constraint and obstructs the clear Yang from rising to cause dizziness or vertigo, while turbid Yin rises and causes nausea or vomiting.
• Phlegm-Heat disturbs the Heart and causes irritability, palpitations, insomnia, anxiety, which can lead to siezures in extreme cases.
• The indeterminate gnawing hunger is due to Heat in the Stomach.
• With the appropriate presentation, the formula can be used for insomnia, anxiety, irritability, chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, chronic hepatitis, neurosis, early stages of schizophrenia, Meniere’s disease and chronic bronchitis.

Clears Heat, transforms Phlegm, directs rebellious Qi downwards, stops coughing

• Coughing of yellow, sticky sputum that’s difficult to expectorate
• Focal distension and a feeling of fullness in the chest and diaphragm, nausea
• Tiredness due to an unresolved upper respiratory tract infection
• Difficulty breathing in severe cases
• A red tongue with a greasy yellow coat
• A slippery, rapid pulse

• Dan Nan Xing (chief) strongly removes obstructions due to Phlegm and Fire.
• Huang Qin and Gua Lou Ren (deputies) work together to drain Lung Fire and clear Phlegm-Heat.
• Zhi Shi and Chen Pi (assistants) regulate Qi, relieve focal distension and break down Phlegm nodules.
• Fu Ling and Ban Xia (assistants) transform Phlegm and address the source of Phlegm by invigorating the Spleen.
• Xing Ren (assistant) aids the flow of Qi in the Lungs and reduces Phlegm.

• High fever: add Shi Gao and Zhi Mu
• Copious sputum: add Yu Xing Cao and Tian Hua Fen
• Gummy Sputum: omit Ban Xia and add Dong Gua Ren

• This is internal clumping of Phlegm-Heat due to Fire ‘brewing’ fluids that have become stagnant due to weak Spleen transportive Qi function.
• “When there is a surfeit of Qi, Fire results; when there is a surfeit of fluids, Phlegm results” Wang Ang in Analytic Collection of Medical Formulas. When treating Phlegm, Fire must be directed downwards first, and to treat Fire, it’s necessary to smooth the flow of Qi.
• The Phlegm and Fire obstruct the Lung descending function causing a cough with thick, yellow, sticky sputum that is difficult to shift.
• The Fire and Phlegm also obstruct the Qi in the middle Jiao, causing focal distension and fullness in the chest and diaphragm.
• The tongue and pulse (red with a greasy yellow coat, slippery, rapid pulse) reflect the Fire and Phlegm.
• With the appropriate presentation, the formula can be used for acute and chronic bronchitis and pneumonia.

Warms and transform Phlegm and congested fluids, strengthens the Spleen, and resolves Dampness

• Fullness in the chest and hypochondria
• Palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing up clear and watery sputum
• Dizziness and vertigo
• A pale, swollen tongue with a white and slippery or greasy coating
• A slippery and wiry or soggy pulse

• Fu Ling (chief) strengthens the Spleen and leaches out Dampness, which transforms fluids and addresses the root of the condition; the metabolism of fluids.
• Gui Zhi (deputy) warms the Yang and improves Qi transformation to resolve the congested fluids as well as directing rebellious Qi downwards.
• This combination; one increasing fluid circulation and the other warming and increasing Qi flow is effective in dealing with Cold due to lingering congested fluids, which are excreted via the urine.
• Bai Zhu (assistant) strengthens the transformative and transportive functions of the Spleen Qi and dries Dampness.
• Zhi Gan Cao (envoy) augments the Qi of the Middle Jiao.

• Vomiting: add Ban Xia
• Severe Belching and vomiting: add Shi Di and Sha Ren
• Fatigue and lethargy: add Dang Shen
• Focal distension and epigastric pain: add Zhi Ke and Hou Po
• Meniere’s disease or vertigo with hypertension: take with Zhen Wu Tang (True Warrior Decoction)

• The formula is well-balanced and treats congested fluids in the epigastrium due to an underlying weak Spleen Yang failing to transform the fluids.
• With the appropriate presentation, the formula can be used for Meniere’s disease, neurosis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic nephritis, chronic gastritis and chronic bronchitis.

Strengthens the Spleen, dispels Dampness, transforms Phlegm, and extinguishes Wind

• Dizziness or vertigo (can be severe)
• A headache that feels heavy and clouded
• A stifling sensation in the chest and diaphragm
• Nausea or vomiting, copious white sputum 
• A thick, greasy white tongue coating
• A wiry, slippery pulse

• This formula is a variation of Er Chen Tang, and overworking or rich foods can predispose to Wind-Phlegm.
• Overworking and rich foods weaken the Stomach and Spleen, leading to Dampness, which transforms into Phlegm. 
• A weak Stomach and Spleen cause a relatively weak, clear Yang, which makes it easy for Phlegm to obstruct its rise.
• Ban Xia and Tian Ma (chiefs) work together to transform Phlegm, direct rebellious Qi downwards and extinguish Wind.
• Ban Xia dries Dampness, expels Phlegm and descends rebellious Stomach Qi.
• Tian Ma extinguishes Wind and transforms Phlegm and is especially effective for dizziness, vertigo and headache.
• Bai Zhu (deputy) strengthens the Spleen, dries Dampness, and supports the chief herbs in rectifying Spleen Qi and treating Phlegm.
• Fu Ling (assistant) leaches Dampness from the middle Jiao and strengthens the Spleen with Bai Zhu.
• Chen Pi (assistant) revives the Spleen and transforms Phlegm to facilitate Qi flow in the middle Jiao.
• Sheng Jiang and Da Zao (assistants) harmonise the Stomach and Spleen.
• Gan Cao (envoy) harmonises the actions of the other herbs and regulates the middle Jiao.

• Severe headache: add Man Jing Zi
• Severe vertigo: add Jiang Cao and Dan Nan Xing
• Weakness: add Dang Shen and Huang Qi

• The formula treats the upward disturbance of Wind-Phlegm. Phlegm occurs when Dampness accumulates due to the Spleen being unable to transport fluids properly. In this situation the clear Yang is weak, making it relatively easy for the Phlegm to obstruct its rise.
• The accumulation of Damp-Phlegm in turn burdens the Spleen and further impedes the transportation of fluids and movement of Qi.
• The Phlegm follows the upward rebellion of Qi to the head, where it obstructs the clear Yang and disturbs the sensory orifices to cause dizziness, vertigo and headache.
• Phlegm obstructing the Qi mechanism in the middle Jiao causes a stifling sensation in the chest, nausea and vomiting.
• The copious sputum thick, greasy white tongue coating and a wiry, slippery pulse reflect the presence of Phlegm.
• With the appropriate presentation, the formula can be used for Meniere’s disease, hypertension, tubercular meningitis and benign postural vertigo.

Contraindicated when vertigo is due to Liver Yang Rising or Blood deficiency.