Qu Mai Zhi Zhu Wan
Star曲糵枳术丸 (Medicated Leaven, Barley Sprout, Immature Bitter Orange, and Atractylodes Macrocephala Pill)
Source: Nei Wai Shang Bian Huo Lun — Li Gao (Jin-Yuan, 1247)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Qu Mai Zhi Zhu Wan (Medicated Leaven, Barley Sprout, Immature Bitter Orange, and Atractylodes Macrocephala Pill), from the Nei Wai Shang Bian Huo Lun (Clarifying Doubts about Injury from Internal and External Causes) by Li Gao — a variation of Zhi Zhu Wan.
Actions: Strengthens the Spleen; Promotes digestion.
Presentation: Overeating damaging the Spleen and Stomach, with food retention, phlegm stagnation, and epigastric and abdominal fullness and stifling sensation.
Composition: Zhi Zhu Wan plus Shen Qu and Mai Ya.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1275.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Zhi Shi
chao (dry-fried) with bran; as printed: Zhi Shi, chao (dry-fried) with bran (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus) 30g [5g]
|
5g | 20% | — | |
|
Bai Zhu
as printed: Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) 60g [10g]
|
10g | 40% | — | |
|
Shen Qu
chao (dry-fried); as printed: Shen Qu, chao (dry-fried) (Massa Fermentata) 30g [5g]
|
5g | 20% | — | |
|
Mai Ya
chao (dry-fried); as printed: Mai Ya, chao (dry-fried) (Fructus Hordei Germinatus) 30g [5g]
|
5g | 20% | — |
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 (+0.40)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 20%, neutral 20%, warm 60%.
Taste
- pungent 17%
- sweet 50%
- sour 7%
- bitter 27%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Stomach 100%
- Spleen 100%
- Large intestine 20%
- Liver 20%
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
Source text: fine powder formed into pills with cooked rice wrapped in He Ye, size of Wu Tong Zi (~5 mm); 50 pills per dose with warm water on an empty stomach.
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.
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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