Zhi Shi Li Zhong Wan
Star枳实理中丸 (Unripe Bitter Orange Pill to Regulate the Middle)
Source: Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People in the Taiping Era (1148)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Zhi Shi Li Zhong Wan (Unripe Bitter Orange Pill to Regulate the Middle), from Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People in the Taiping Era (1148).
Associated formula of Li Zhong Wan.
Actions: Strengthens the Spleen; Warms the middle; Dissipates clumps
Indications: Spleen and Stomach deficiency cold with clumping: abdominal fullness, distention, and pain.
Usage: For middle-burner deficiency cold complicated by clumping and distention.
Category: Formulas that Warm the Middle and Dispel Cold.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 261.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Zhi Shi
as printed: Aurantii Fructus immaturus (zhi shi) 30g
|
30g | 9.09% | — | |
|
Gan Jiang
as printed: Zingiberis Rhizoma (gan jiang) 60g
|
60g | 18.18% | — | |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ginseng Radix (ren shen) 60g
|
60g | 18.18% | — | |
|
Bai Zhu
as printed: Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma (bai zhu) 60g
|
60g | 18.18% | — | |
|
Fu Ling
as printed: Poria (fu ling) 60g
|
60g | 18.18% | — | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Glycyrrhizae Radix preparata (zhi gan cao) 60g
|
60g | 18.18% | — |
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 (+0.64)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 9%, neutral 36%, warm 36%, hot 18%.
Taste
- pungent 21%
- sweet 46%
- sour 3%
- bitter 21%
- bland 9%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 100%
- Lung 73%
- Heart 73%
- Stomach 64%
- Kidney 36%
- Large intestine 9%
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 formed into yolk-sized (3-6g) honey pills taken with hot water.
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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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