Ban Xia Hou Po Tang
Star半夏厚朴汤 (Pinellia and Magnolia Bark Decoction)
Source: Jin Gui Yao Lue (c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Ban Xia Hou Po Tang (Pinellia and Magnolia Bark Decoction), from the Jin Gui Yao Lue, is used to promote Qi movement; dissipate clumps; direct rebellious Qi downward; transform phlegm.
Presentation: plum-pit Qi (sensation of obstruction in throat); stifling sensation in chest and hypochondria; depression from Qi and phlegm obstruction; loss of interest, tiredness, heavy body; poor appetite with epigastric and chest fullness; tongue: white and sticky coating; pulse: wiry and slippery.
Syndrome: Syndrome of Qi stagnation in the Stomach, Spleen and Large Intestine.
Composition strategy:
- five herbs all move downward, opening Qi-phlegm obstruction by descending Qi, leaching dampness, transforming phlegm and aiding digestion
- Sheng Jiang and Zi Su Ye also disperse/ascend, which activates the overall descending action
Source: Yang Y. Chinese Herbal Formulas: Treatment Principles and Composition Strategies. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2010, p. 262.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ban Xia
as printed: Ban Xia (Pinelliae rhizoma)
|
12g | 25% | Jun (Chief) | descend Qi in Upper/Middle-Jiao, eliminate phlegm |
|
Hou Po
as printed: Hou Po (Magnoliae cortex)
|
9g | 18.75% | Jun (Chief) | descend Qi, eliminate phlegm |
|
Fu Ling
as printed: Fu Ling (Poria)
|
12g | 25% | Chen (Deputy) | tonify Spleen, promote urination to leach dampness |
|
Zi Su Ye
as printed: Zi Su Ye (Perillae folium)
|
6g | 12.5% | Chen (Deputy) | soothe Stomach-Qi; disperse and ascend while aiding descent |
|
Sheng Jiang
as printed: Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis rhizoma recens)
|
9g | 18.75% | Zuo (Assistant) | soothe Stomach-Qi, aid digestion to stop phlegm production |
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 (+0.75)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: neutral 25%, warm 75%.
Taste
- pungent 66%
- sweet 13%
- bitter 9%
- bland 13%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 100%
- Spleen 100%
- Stomach 75%
- Large intestine 31%
- Heart 25%
- Kidney 25%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
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. At present only 9g of fresh ginger is generally used.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 516.
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang = this formula without Fu Ling + Zi Su Zi, Qian Hu, Da Zao, Dang Gui, Rou Gui and Gan Cao
- Zhong Man Fen Xiao Wan = this formula without Zi Su Ye + Ju Ban Zhi Zhu Wan + Chun Ze Tang + Gan Cao, Huang Lian, Huang Qin, Jiang Huang, Sha Ren and Zhi Mu
- Zhong Man Fen Xiao Tang = this formula without Zi Su Ye + Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang + Zuo Jin Wan + Bi Cheng Qie, Cao Dou Kou, Chai Hu, Gan Jiang, Huang Bai, Ma Huang, Mu Xiang, Qing Pi, Ren Shen, Sheng Ma, Yi Zhi Ren, Ze Xie and Zhi Chuan Wu
- Ge Gen Huo Xiang Shao Yao Tang = this formula + Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San + Xie Xin Tang + Jiao Tai Wan + Bai Shao, Chun Pi, Dang Gui, Ge Gen, Qing Pi, Wu Wei Zi, Xiang Fu and Zhi Ke
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.
Formula Network
Formulas that share herbs with this one — the closer to the centre, the stronger the match. Click a node to explore.
Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
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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