Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang
Star旋覆代赭汤 (Inula and Hematite Decoction)
Source: Shang Han Lun (c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang (Inula and Hematite Decoction), from Treatise on Cold Damage (Shang Han Lun).
Actions and indications: Direct counterflow downward and dissolve phlegm, boost qi and harmonize the stomach. Indicated for the treatment of stomach deficiency and phlegm obstruction and qi counterflow, with epigastric fullness and rigidity, belching, or regurgitation and vomiting, saliva spitting, pale tongue with white and glossy coating, wiry and deficient pulse
Modifications: For no evident stomach qi deficiency, remove Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng ( ren shen ) and Fructus Jujubae ( da zao ), and increase the dosage of Haematitum ( dai zhe shi ) to strengthen the effects of directing counterflow downward with heavy property; for profuse phlegm, add Poria ( fu ling ) and Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae ( chen pi ) to assist the effects of dissolving phlegm and harmonizing the stomach
Cautions: Since Haematitum ( dai zhe shi ) is cold, descending and heavy in nature, which is easy to affect the digestion, formula dosage for patients with stomach deficiency should be small
Category: Formulas That Direct Qi Downward.
Source: Xi S, Gong Y. Essentials of Chinese Materia Medica and Medical Formulas: New Century Traditional Chinese Medicine. Academic Press/Elsevier, 2017, pp. 675–678.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Xuan Fu Hua
as printed: Flos Inulae (xuan fu hua) 9 g
|
9g | 18.37% | Jun (Chief) | — |
|
Dai Zhe Shi
as printed: Haematitum (dai zhe shi) 9 g
|
9g | 18.37% | Chen (Deputy) | — |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng (ren shen) 6 g
|
6g | 12.24% | Zuo (Assistant) | — |
|
Ban Xia
as printed: Rhizoma Pinelliae (ban xia) 9 g
|
9g | 18.37% | Zuo (Assistant) | — |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle (zhi gan cao) 6 g
|
6g | 12.24% | Zuo (Assistant) | — |
|
Sheng Jiang
as printed: Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens (sheng jiang) 10 g
|
10g | 20.41% | Zuo (Assistant) | — |
|
Da Zao
as printed: Fructus Jujubae (da zao) 4 pieces
|
4pieces | 100% | Zuo (Assistant) | — |
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.
Together they direct rebellious qi downward and transform phlegm, stopping belching, hiccup and vomiting better than either alone.
Epigastric hardness with persistent belching from stomach deficiency with phlegm and qi counterflow.
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 18%, neutral 12%, warm 69%.
Taste
- pungent 45%
- sweet 18%
- bitter 31%
- salty 6%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Stomach 88%
- Lung 82%
- Spleen 82%
- Heart 43%
- Large intestine 18%
- Pericardium 18%
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
Decoct the ingredients with water for oral use
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.
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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