Hou Po San Wu Tang
Star厚朴三物汤 (Three-Substance Decoction with Magnolia Bark)
Source: Jin Gui Yao Lue (c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Hou Po San Wu Tang (Three-Substance Decoction with Magnolia Bark), from Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (c. 220).
Associated formula of Da Cheng Qi Tang.
Actions: Drains qi downward; Unblocks the bowels
Usage: Qi stagnation causing constipation with unrelenting pain and fullness in the epigastrium and abdomen ('pain with blockage'); same herbs as Minor Order the Qi Decoction at different doses.
Category: Formulas that Purge Heat Accumulation.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 67.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hou Po
role: Per a quoted commentary, hou po is chief since the intent is to move qi; as printed: Magnoliae officinalis Cortex (hou po) 24g
|
24g | 66.67% | — | |
|
Zhi Shi
(12-15g); as printed: Aurantii Fructus immaturus (zhi shi) 5 pieces (12-15g)
|
5pieces | 100% | — | |
|
Da Huang
as printed: Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (da huang) 12g
|
12g | 33.33% | — |
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 neutral (0.00)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 33%, warm 67%.
Pairs warm and cool. 67% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 33% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 33%
- bitter 67%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Large intestine 100%
- Stomach 100%
- Spleen 100%
- Lung 67%
- Pericardium 33%
- Liver 33%
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: Zhi Shi.
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
Cook the first two in about 12 cups of water to 5, add da huang, reduce to 3 and take in three doses; now decocted normally with da huang added near the end.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- Ma Zi Run Chang Wan = this formula + Jia Jian Cheng Qi Tang + Ma Zi Ren Wan + Dang Gui, Gua Lou Ren, He Shou Wu, Xuan Shen and Yu Li Ren
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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