Ban Xia Hou Po Wan - Pinellia & Magnolia Pills

Herbal Formula Database

Ban Xia Hou Po Wan Herbal Formula Classifications and Usages

The herbal formula "ban xia hou po wan" , 半夏厚朴丸, which in english is "pinellia & magnolia pills", is categorized within the "regulate the qi" functional grouping and within the "promote the movement of qi" sub-category.

Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:

  • Plum pit qi (globus hystericus) and/or difficulty with swallowing from liver qi stagnation.
  • Coughing, hiccups, nausea and possible vomitting from rebellious qi and phlegm.

Ban Xia Hou Po Wan has some precautions to be considered (see our precautions list).

Use with caution in yin deficiency or with patients with signs of liver yang rising

For many reasons such as availability, ecological choices, and/or price, each manufacturer or herbalist may well adjust the exact composition of a specific formula. Ban Xia Hou Po Wan is generally comprised of the following herbs:

ViewBan Xia (Pinellia Rhizome)

Dries dampness, transforms cold-phlegm, descends rebellious qi - cough with copious sputum especially due to dampness of spleen. Harmonizes stomach, stops vomiting due to lingering phlegm-dampness i…

ViewFu Ling (Poria, China Root)

Promotes urination, drains dampness, transforms phlegm - urinary difficulty, diarrhea, edema, headache, dizziness, greasy tongue coat. Strengthens the spleen, harmonizes the middle jiao - diarrhea, …

ViewHou Po (Magnolia Bark)

Promotes movement of Qi, transforms dampness, resolves stagnation - dampness in spleen/stomach, food stagnation, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal distention (*important herb for this). Warms and transf…

ViewSheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger Rhizome)

Release the exterior, wind-cold, regulate ying and wei qi Warms the middle jiao - stomach cold/vomiting Alleviates coughing, warms lung Reduces toxicity of other herbs

ViewZi Su Ye (Perilla Leaf)

Release the exterior, disperse cold - wind-cold w/fever Resolve qi stagnation, open chest - vomiting, nausea Calm restless fetus - morning sickness Seafood poisoning - alone or in combination w/ot…

A single formula, alone, may not be sufficient to fully address a particular TCM diagnostic pattern. Formulas may be used alone, in combinations, and/or in stages. Ban Xia Hou Po Wan is a candidate for consideration when needing to influence liver qi stagnation and/or phlegm stagnation.

Ban Xia Hou Po Wan may potentially be used, in coordination with a well tailored overall approach, to influence the following conditions: asthma, cough, hypochondriac pain and/or plum pit qi

Our clinical staff have made the following notes, regarding ban xia hou po wan.

For liver qi stagnation that causes reversal of the downward flow of qi.  In TCM if the liver qi is stagnant, it may disrupt the normal downward flow of qi from the stomach to the spleen.  This may cause the sensation of plum pit qi which is the sensation that something is stuck in the throat.  If the downward flow of qi is blocked it can cause damp and phlegm to accumulation in the stomach which could manifest as vomiting and nausea.

As noted above, ban xia hou po wan is within the regulate the qi functional group. And it appears within the sub-category "promote the movement of qi", which contains the following formulas:

ViewGan Bing Zhi Ben Wan (Liver Disease Recovery Pills)

Irritibility or easily prone to outburts or anger. Liver disease such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver. Jaundice - yellowing of the skin, brittle nails, pale complexion.

ViewYue Ju Wan (Escape Restraint Pill)

An important formula for plum pit qi and related issues arising from qi stagnation (from many factors) - an oppressive sensation in the chest and/or diaphgram, gerd, reflux, indigestion, nausea, belc…

All formulas in the primary category of "regulate the qi" are listed below.

(truncated intro "...the formulas in this category work to either move congested or stuck energy in the body or to direct it in the correct direction as in rebe…)".

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