Use of the formula according to Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• strengthens the spleen – replenishes spleen Qi
• disperses and drains dampness, transforms phlegm
• harmonises the stomach and spleen
• helps stomach Qi to descend and spleen Qi to ascend
• stops diarrhoea

Description:

A traditional formula from the 11th century that strengthens the spleen and replenishes its Qi – while simultaneously transforming and draining various forms of dampness; it is therefore used for spleen Qi deficiency with an accumulation of dampness. Its typical symptoms include, above all, mushy stools or "quiet" diarrhoea (without pain or cramps, not caused by parasites, food poisoning or inflammation), loss of appetite, fatigue to exhaustion, and poor digestion. Because it is a gentle and safe formula, it is also used for childhood diarrhoea or diarrhoea during pregnancy, but also as a tonic for chronic illnesses with signs of spleen Qi deficiency with damp phlegm, for example, cough with thin phlegm in pulmonary emphysema, especially when aggravated by the accumulation of thin phlegm in the stomach. Another typical indication is white gynaecological discharge from the accumulation of dampness, myasthenia gravis and weakness of the limbs. It is also used as a general Qi tonic to strengthen immunity, even when signs of dampness are not present.

The basis of the mixture is Si Jun Zi Tang, to which several other herbs are added to strengthen the spleen and drain dampness. For example, lablab and coix seed, in addition to slightly replenishing Qi, also have diuretic properties – they drain dampness through urination. Lotus seed acts as an astringent – it stops diarrhoea or discharge. Platycodon allows the mixture to act in the lungs and thus helps in the formation of Qi.

Indications:

• mushy stools or "quiet" diarrhoea
• nausea or vomiting
• vomiting of thin phlegm
• loss of appetite
• weakness of the limbs
• weight loss or, conversely, overweight to obesity
• pale (sometimes swollen) face
• fullness in the chest and/or epigastrium
• fatigue

Modern use:

• chronic diarrhoea
• diarrhoea in children and pregnant women
• superficial gastritis
• dyspepsia
• duodenal ulcers
• stomach prolapse – gastroptosis
• chronic colitis
• proctitis
• irritable bowel syndrome – IBS
• hepatitis and liver cirrhosis
• nephritis
• gynaecological discharge
• weakened immune system
• adjuvant therapy during chemotherapy and radiotherapy
• weakness after chronic illnesses
• cognitive disorders
• chronic rhinitis

Tongue:

• pink or paler
• swollen with teeth marks
• thicker white coating

Pulse:

• xu
• ru (empty, soggy)

Contraindications:

• caution in patients with yin deficiency or even empty heat/fire from its deficiency
• use with caution during pregnancy – it is better if the dosage is determined by a TCM practitioner
• do not administer to patients with an acute external attack (acute cold, infection) – the replenishing formula may "drive" the pathogen deeper

Notes:

The mixture is highly valued because it is a harmonising formula that is neither too hot nor too drying: "it replenishes without creating stagnation and drains dampness without injuring Qi".

Composition of the formula: