Tong Xie Yao Fang
Star痛泻要方 (Important Formula for Painful Diarrhea)
Source: Jing Yue Quan Shu quoted from Liu Cao Chuang (1481)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Tong Xie Yao Fang (Important Formula for Painful Diarrhea), from the Jing Yue Quan Shu quoted from Liu Cao Chuang, is used to harmonize Liver and Spleen.
Presentation: Liver-Qi overacting on Spleen; borborygmi; abdominal pain; urge to defecate; diarrhea with pain easing after defecation; tongue: thin white coating; pulse: wiry.
Syndrome: Syndrome of Qi stagnation in the Stomach, Spleen and Large Intestine.
Composition strategy:
- four herbs with clearly distinct roles: strengthen Spleen, restrain Liver, soothe Qi
- frequently used clinically
Source: Yang Y. Chinese Herbal Formulas: Treatment Principles and Composition Strategies. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2010, p. 262, 367.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bai Zhu
as printed: Chao Bai Zhu (dry-fried Atractylodis macrocephalae rhizoma)
|
90g | 35.29% | Jun (Chief) | strengthen Spleen-Qi against Liver attack |
|
Bai Shao
as printed: Chao Bai Shao Yao (dry-fried Paeoniae radix lactiflora)
|
60g | 23.53% | Chen (Deputy) | nourish Liver-Yin, soften Liver, ease tension |
|
Chen Pi
as printed: Chao Chen Pi (dry-fried Citri reticulatae pericarpium)
|
45g | 17.65% | Zuo (Assistant) | regulate disturbed Middle-Jiao Qi |
|
Fang Feng
as printed: Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae radix)
|
60g | 23.53% | Zuo (Assistant) | pacify wind from sudden abdominal cramp, slow disturbed Qi |
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 slightly warm (+0.53)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 24%, warm 77%.
Taste
- pungent 21%
- sweet 29%
- sour 12%
- bitter 38%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 100%
- Liver 47%
- Stomach 35%
- Lung 18%
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
Powder, taken as powder or pills; may be decocted at the doses in parentheses.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 125.
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang = this formula + Xiao Chai Hu Tang + Ze Xie Tang + Huang Qi, Du Huo, Fu Ling, Huang Lian and Qiang Huo
- Shao Yao Hou Po Tang = this formula + Xiao Yao San + Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang + Bai Zhi, Che Qian Zi, Dang Shen, Hou Po, Huang Bai, Huang Lian, Huo Xiang, Qin Pi, Wu Wei Zi, Xiang Fu, Yi Yi Ren and Yin Chen
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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