Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang
Star生姜泻心汤 (Fresh Ginger Decoction to Drain the Epigastrium)
Source: Shang Han Lun — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang (Fresh Ginger Decoction to Drain the Epigastrium), from the Shang Han Lun (Discussion of Cold-Induced Disorders) by Zhang Zhong-Jing.
Actions: Harmonizes the Stomach and corrects the reversed flow of qi; Disperses the interlocking of heat and water and relieves epigastric distention.
Presentation: Spleen and Stomach deficiencies with interlocking of heat and water in the interior: epigastric distention and hardness, belching, foul breath, borborygmus, and diarrhea.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 268.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ban Xia
as printed: Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae, xi (washed)) 0.5 cup [9g]
|
9g | 20% | disperses stagnation, relieves distention, directs rebellious Stomach qi downward | |
|
Sheng Jiang
as printed: Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens, qie (sliced)) 12g [12g]
|
12g | 26.67% | warms the Stomach, stops nausea, disperses water accumulation | |
|
Gan Jiang
as printed: Gan Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis) 3g [3g]
|
3g | 6.67% | warms the Stomach; dose reduced to avoid excess heat | |
|
Huang Qin
as printed: Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) 9g [6g]
|
6g | 13.33% | sedates heat and relieves distention | |
|
Huang Lian
as printed: Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis) 3g [3g]
|
3g | 6.67% | sedates heat and relieves distention | |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) 9g [6g]
|
6g | 13.33% | tonifies the middle jiao and strengthens the Spleen | |
|
Da Zao
as printed: Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae, bo (opened)) 12 pieces [4 pieces]
|
4pieces | 100% | tonifies the middle jiao | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 9g [6g]
|
6g | 13.33% | tonifies the middle jiao |
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 (+0.33)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 20%, neutral 13%, warm 60%, hot 7%.
Small but decisive: Gan Jiang 3g (hot, 7% of the grams), Huang Lian 3g (cold, 7% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 53%
- sweet 20%
- bitter 27%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 100%
- Lung 93%
- Stomach 87%
- Heart 53%
- Large intestine 20%
- Gallbladder 20%
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 6 cups [1,200 mL]; discard the dregs and reduce the strained liquid to 3 cups [600 mL]; take 1 cup [200 mL] warm three times daily. Today decocted at the 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
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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