Fen Xiao Tang
Star分消汤 (Separate and Reduce Decoction)
Source: Wan Bing Hui Chun — Gong Ting-Xian (Ming, 1587)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Fen Xiao Tang (Separate and Reduce Decoction), from the Wan Bing Hui Chun (Restoration of Health from the Myriad Diseases) by Gong Ting-Xian.
Actions: Strengthens the Spleen; Regulates qi circulation to relieve fullness and distention; Regulates the water passages to eliminate water stagnation.
Presentation: 1. Severe abdominal fullness and distention from Spleen deficiency: drum-like abdominal distention, decreased intake and appetite, acid regurgitation, dysuria, scanty urine. 2. Water stagnation from Spleen deficiency: fullness, distention and oppression of chest and abdomen, ascites, edema, belching, acid reflux, scanty urine, constipation.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1127.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cang Zhu
jin (soaked) in rice water and chao (dry-fried); as printed: Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis) 3g
|
3g | 9.8% | dries dampness and strengthens the Spleen | |
|
Bai Zhu
as printed: Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) 3g
|
3g | 9.8% | dries dampness and strengthens the Spleen | |
|
Hou Po
chao (dry-fried) with ginger juice; as printed: Hou Po (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis) 3g
|
3g | 9.8% | moves qi, dispels dampness and relieves fullness and distention | |
|
Chen Pi
as printed: Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 3g
|
3g | 9.8% | regulates qi and relieves stagnation | |
|
Mu Xiang
as printed: Mu Xiang (Radix Aucklandiae) 0.9g
|
0.9g | 2.94% | regulates qi and relieves stagnation | |
|
Xiang Fu
as printed: Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi) 2.4g
|
2.4g | 7.84% | regulates qi and relieves stagnation | |
|
Zhi Shi
chao (dry-fried) with bran; as printed: Zhi Shi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus) 3g
|
3g | 9.8% | strengthens Spleen and Stomach to restore transformation and transportation | |
|
Da Fu Pi
as printed: Da Fu Pi (Pericarpium Arecae) 2.4g
|
2.4g | 7.84% | strengthens Spleen and Stomach to restore transformation and transportation | |
|
Sha Ren
as printed: Sha Ren (Fructus Amomi) 2.1g
|
2.1g | 6.86% | strengthens Spleen and Stomach to restore transformation and transportation | |
|
Zhu Ling
as printed: Zhu Ling (Polyporus) 2.4g
|
2.4g | 7.84% | dispels water and dampness through diuresis | |
|
Ze Xie
as printed: Ze Xie (Rhizoma Alismatis) 2.4g
|
2.4g | 7.84% | dispels water and dampness through diuresis | |
|
Fu Ling
as printed: Fu Ling (Poria) 3g
|
3g | 9.8% | dispels water and dampness through diuresis |
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 slightly warm (+0.31)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 8%, cool 10%, neutral 26%, warm 57%.
Small but decisive: Ze Xie 2.4g (cold, 8% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 37%
- sweet 20%
- sour 3%
- bitter 27%
- bland 13%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 84%
- Stomach 57%
- Kidney 32%
- Large intestine 30%
- Lung 29%
- Liver 18%
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
Decoct with 1 slice Sheng Jiang and 1 piece Deng Xin Cao.
Relationships
Full-screen graph →Click a node for details · double-click to expand it · Ctrl/⌘ + scroll or two fingers to zoom and pan.
Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Wu Ling San without Gui Zhi + Si Ling San + Xiang Sha Zhi Zhu Wan + Cang Zhu, Chen Pi, Da Fu Pi, Hou Po and Xiang Fu
- This formula = Si Ling San + Xiang Sha Zhi Zhu Wan + Cang Zhu, Chen Pi, Da Fu Pi, Hou Po and Xiang Fu
- This formula = Xiang Sha Zhi Zhu Wan + Si Ling San + Cang Zhu, Chen Pi, Da Fu Pi, Hou Po and Xiang Fu
- This formula = Ze Xie Tang + Si Ling San + Xiang Sha Zhi Zhu Wan + Cang Zhu, Chen Pi, Da Fu Pi, Hou Po and Xiang Fu
- This formula = Zhi Zhu Tang + Si Ling San + Xiang Sha Zhi Zhu Wan + Cang Zhu, Chen Pi, Da Fu Pi, Hou Po and Xiang Fu
- This formula = Zhi Zhu Wan + Si Ling San + Xiang Sha Zhi Zhu Wan + Cang Zhu, Chen Pi, Da Fu Pi, Hou Po and Xiang Fu
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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