Zhi Zhong Wan
Star治中丸 (Treat the Middle Pill)
Source: Simple Formulas for Health (1905)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Zhi Zhong Wan (Treat the Middle Pill), from Simple Formulas for Health (1905).
Associated formula of Li Zhong Wan.
Indications: Sudden turmoil disorder with epigastric and abdominal pain, urge to vomit without vomiting, and urge to defecate without doing so.
Usage: For sudden turmoil disorder with pain and unproductive urges; one version substitutes Citri reticulatae Semen (ju he) for the tangerine peel.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ginseng Radix (ren shen) 60g
|
60g | 20% | — | |
|
Gan Jiang
as printed: Zingiberis Rhizoma (gan jiang) 60g
|
60g | 20% | — | |
|
Bai Zhu
as printed: Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma (bai zhu) 60g
|
60g | 20% | — | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Glycyrrhizae Radix preparata (zhi gan cao) 60g
|
60g | 20% | — | |
|
Chen Pi
as printed: Citri reticulatae Pericarpium (chen pi) 60g
|
60g | 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 warm (+1.00)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: neutral 20%, warm 60%, hot 20%.
Taste
- pungent 30%
- sweet 40%
- bitter 30%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 100%
- Lung 80%
- Stomach 60%
- Heart 60%
- Kidney 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.
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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