Li Zhong Wan
Star理中丸 (Regulate the Middle Pill)
Source: Shang Han Lun (c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Li Zhong Wan (Regulate the Middle Pill), from the Shang Han Lun, is used to warm the Middle-Jiao; strengthen the Spleen-Yang.
Presentation: internal cold due to Spleen-Yang deficiency.
Syndrome: Internal cold syndrome.
Composition strategy:
- each herb group represents one aspect of rebuilding Middle-Jiao Yang
- honey pill form builds Yang steadily; suited to chronic Spleen-Yang deficiency
Source: Yang Y. Chinese Herbal Formulas: Treatment Principles and Composition Strategies. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2010, p. 124, 183.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Ginseng radix)
|
6g | 23.08% | Jun (Chief) | strongly tonify Spleen-Qi |
|
Gan Jiang
as printed: Gan Jiang (Zingiberis rhizoma)
|
5g | 19.23% | Jun (Chief) | quickly warm the Middle-Jiao |
|
Bai Zhu
as printed: Bai Zhu (Atractylodis macrocephalae rhizoma)
|
9g | 34.62% | Chen (Deputy) | tonify Spleen-Qi, dry dampness from Yang deficiency |
|
Gan Cao
assistant and envoy; as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae radix preparata)
|
6g | 23.08% | Zuo (Assistant) | tonify Spleen, harmonize and moderate |
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 (+0.96)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: neutral 23%, warm 58%, hot 19%.
Taste
- pungent 19%
- sweet 52%
- bitter 29%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 100%
- Stomach 77%
- Lung 65%
- Heart 65%
- Kidney 23%
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
pill made with honey
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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
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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