Bai Zhu Fu Zi Tang
Star白术附子汤 (White Atractylodes and Aconite Accessory Root Decoction)
Source: Essentials of the Golden Cabinet (c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Bai Zhu Fu Zi Tang (White Atractylodes and Aconite Accessory Root Decoction), from Essentials of the Golden Cabinet (c. 220).
Actions: Warms the channels; Disperses cold; Builds up the middle burner; Promotes the resolution of dampness
Indications: Pain throughout the body characterized by an inability to rotate the body, hard stools, normal urination, and a floating, thin, and moderate pulse. There is no thirst or nausea.
Pattern: Wind-cold-dampness painful obstruction from yang deficiency with dampness predominant
Cautions:
- Heating and tonifying: not for hard stools caused by heat or yin deficiency
Modifications:
- Wind-dampness obstruction with numbness and loss of joint movement: add Mori Ramulus (sang zhi) and Spatholobi Caulis (ji xue teng)
- More severe internal dampness with thick, white, greasy coating: substitute Atractylodis Rhizoma (cang zhu) for Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma (bai zhu) and add Coicis Semen (yi yi ren)
- Sweating from qi deficiency: add Codonopsis Radix (dang shen)
Commentary: A variant of Cinnamon Twig plus Aconite Decoction substituting Atractylodes for Cinnamon, illustrating 'augmenting fire to generate earth'; also used for headache and dizziness from internal wind due to yang deficiency.
Category: Formulas that Warm the Middle and Dispel Cold.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 272.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Zhi Fu Zi
as printed: Aconiti Radix lateralis preparata (zhi fu zi) 9g
|
9g | 25% | Jun (Chief) | strongly warms and disperses, mobilizing yang from the gate of vitality throughout the body |
|
Bai Zhu
as printed: Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma (bai zhu) 12g
|
12g | 33.33% | dries dampness and augments the qi, focused on the muscles and flesh; stops sweating to balance the chief | |
|
Sheng Jiang
as printed: Zingiberis Rhizoma recens (sheng jiang) 9g
|
9g | 25% | with jujube and licorice harmonizes nutritive and protective qi | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Glycyrrhizae Radix preparata (zhi gan cao) 6g
|
6g | 16.67% | with jujube and ginger harmonizes nutritive and protective qi | |
|
Da Zao
as printed: Jujubae Fructus (da zao) 12 pieces
|
12pieces | 100% | with ginger and licorice harmonizes nutritive and protective qi |
Dui Yao — Core Herb Pairs
The classical two-herb combinations at the heart of this formula, as recorded on the herbs' own pages — each pair has an action neither herb has alone.
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net warm (+1.08)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: neutral 17%, warm 58%, hot 25%.
Taste
- pungent 38%
- sweet 46%
- bitter 17%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 100%
- Stomach 75%
- Lung 42%
- Heart 42%
- Kidney 25%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
1 herb without a dose in grams, so left out of every figure above: Da Zao.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
Decoction: boil in about 600ml of water until one-third has evaporated; take in three doses. A 'veiled' sensation after dosing indicates the chief herbs have not yet taken full effect, not an adverse reaction.
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- Shi Pi Yin = this formula + Gan Cao Gan Jiang Fu Ling Bai Zhu Tang + Cao Guo, Da Fu Pi, Hou Po, Mu Gua and Mu Xiang
Each entry reads as the larger formula written out: “+” adds its other catalogue cores, then the herbs none of them hold. A catalogue formula counts as a core only when at least 80% of its herbs are present, no more than 1 is absent, and the absent herb is not its chief.
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
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