Hou Po Qi Wu Tang
Star厚朴七物汤 (Seven-Substance Decoction with Magnolia Bark)
Source: Jin Gui Yao Lue — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Hou Po Qi Wu Tang (Seven-Substance Decoction with Magnolia Bark), from the Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet) by Zhang Zhong-Jing.
Actions: Expels the pathogenic factor from the exterior and muscle layer; Regulates qi; Promotes bowel movement.
Presentation: Taiyang and yangming syndromes with interior excess: abdominal fullness, fever, constipation, and a superficial, rapid pulse.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 289.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hou Po
as printed: Hou Po (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis) 24g [15g]
|
15g | 25% | regulates qi and purges interior excess | |
|
Zhi Shi
as printed: Zhi Shi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus) 5 pieces [9g]
|
9g | 15% | regulates qi and purges interior excess | |
|
Da Huang
as printed: Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) 9g
|
9g | 15% | purges interior excess | |
|
Gui Zhi
as printed: Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) 6g
|
6g | 10% | releases exterior pathogens, harmonizes ying and wei | |
|
Da Zao
as printed: Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) 10 pieces [4 pieces]
|
4pieces | 100% | harmonizes ying and wei | |
|
Sheng Jiang
as printed: Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) 15g [12g]
|
12g | 20% | releases exterior, harmonizes ying and wei | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 9g
|
9g | 15% | harmonizes ying and wei |
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 neutral (+0.10)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 15%, cool 15%, neutral 15%, warm 55%.
Pairs warm and cool. 55% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 30% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 43%
- sweet 20%
- sour 5%
- bitter 33%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Stomach 90%
- Spleen 90%
- Lung 70%
- Large intestine 55%
- Heart 25%
- Pericardium 15%
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
Source: cook in 10 cups [2,000 mL] water to 4 cups [800 mL]; take 0.8 cup [160 mL] warm, strained, three times daily. Today decocted at bracketed doses.
Relationships
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Formula family
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
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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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