Zhi Zhu Tang
Star枳术汤 (Immature Bitter Orange and Atractylodes Macrocephala Decoction)
Source: Jin Gui Yao Lue — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Zhi Zhu Tang (Immature Bitter Orange and Atractylodes Macrocephala Decoction), from the Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet) by Zhang Zhong-Jing — a variation of Zhi Zhu Wan.
Actions: Activates qi circulation; Reduces distention.
Presentation: Qi stagnation and water accumulation with a sensation of hardness and distention beneath the heart.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1275.
Composition
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 cool (-0.33)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 67%, warm 33%.
Pairs warm and cool. 33% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 67% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 22%
- sweet 17%
- sour 22%
- bitter 39%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Stomach 100%
- Spleen 100%
- Large intestine 67%
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
Source text: cook in 5 cups [1,000 mL] water down to 3 cups [600 mL]; take warm in three equal doses.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- Yin Chen Fu Zi Gan Jiang Tang = this formula + Ju Ban Zhi Zhu Wan + Ze Xie Tang + Cao Dou Kou, Fu Ling, Pao Jiang, Yin Chen and Zhi Fu Zi
- Fen Xiao Tang = this formula + Si Ling San + Xiang Sha Zhi Zhu Wan + Cang Zhu, Chen Pi, Da Fu Pi, Hou Po and Xiang Fu
- Zhong Man Fen Xiao Wan = this formula + Ban Xia Hou Po Tang + Ju Ban Zhi Zhu Wan + Chun Ze Tang + Gan Cao, Huang Lian, Huang Qin, Jiang Huang, Sha Ren and Zhi Mu
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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