Herbal Treatment
Prescription
Ban Xia Hou Po Tang
(Pinellia-Magnolia Decoction)
Ban Xia Rhizoma Pinelliae ternatae 12 g
Hou Po Cortex Magnoliae officinalis 9 g
Su Ye Folium Perillae frutescentis 6 g
Fu Ling Sclerotium Poriae cocos 12 g
Sheng Jiang Rhizoma Zingiberis officinalis recens 9 gExplanation
- Ban Xia resolves Phlegm, eliminates stagnation, harmonizes the Stomach and subdues
rebellious Qi. It is the emperor herb in this formula which treats the plum-stone pattern
characterized by the feeling of a lump in the throat. - Hou Po eliminates stagnation, relieves fullness, subdues rebellious Qi and calms the
Mind. - Su Ye moves Qi, harmonizes the Stomach, opens the chest and calms the Mind.
- Fu Ling helps Ban Xia to resolve Phlegm and calms the Mind.
- Sheng Jiang harmonizes the Stomach.
This formula, from the "discussion of Cold-Induced Diseases", is normally used for the
plum-stone pattern characterized by a feeling of obstruction in the throat, mental depression and
irritability. In modern times this pattern is related to stagnation of Liver-Qi, for which this
formula is used. An analysis of the formula, however, reveals that it contains no herbs that move
Liver-Qi or even enter the Liver. The main emphasis of the formula is to move stagnant Heart-
and Lung-Qi. Stagnation of Heart- and Lung-Qi derives from sadness and grief over a long
period of time. These emotions first deplete Heart-Qi and Lung-Qi and depress the Mind and
Corporeal Soul. The depletion of Lung-Qi from sadness and grief leads to shallow breathing and
poor circulation of Qi in the chest and, eventually, to stagnation of Lung-Qi in the chest. The
simultaneous weakness and stagnation of Lung-Qi may also lead to Phlegm. The Lung channel
influences the throat and its stagnation can cause a feeling of obstruction in the throat. Other
manifestations include sighing, difficulty in swallowing, slight breathlessness, tightness of the
chest, nausea and vomiting. The pulse will be Weak on both Front positions on the left and right