Actions

Warms the Middle Jiao and dispels cold
Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach.

Indications

Watery diarrhea
Undigested food in the stool
Indigestion
Nausea
Vomiting
Lack of thirst
Abdominal pain that is relieved by warmth
Poor appetite
Fatigue

Western Uses:

Acute and Chronic Gastroenteritis
Gastro-Duodenal Ulcers
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Gastrectasis
Gastroptosis
Chronic Colitis
Cholera
Vomiting
Anemia
Chronic Bronchitis
Oral Herpes
Functional Uterine Bleeding

Ingredients

4 substances in Li Zhong Wan — each links to its full herb monograph.

Bai Zhu9 gTonify Qi

Gan Jiang9 gWarm the Interior and Expel Cold

Ren Shen9 gTonify Qi

Zhi Gan Cao9 gTonify Qi

Preparation & dosage

Pills. Grind all herbs into an even powder and use honey to form into pills. Take in 9 gram doses 2-3 times a day.

In all but acute cases Dang Shen is substituted for Ren Shen.

This formula can also be prepared as a decoction.

Safety — read before use

This formula is warm and drying it should not be used in cases with Yin deficiency and heat

Do not use in cases where external pathogens are present.

Originally Appeared In:

On Cold Damage (Shang Han Lun)

Sources & References

Compiled and edited by Thomas Dehli, Founder & Editor, Sacred Lotus

The information here is referenced from numerous sources — teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the books below, and the published research literature, with citations given as resolvable PubMed identifiers. Where sources disagree, I have flagged the discrepancies directly. If facts couldn't be verified, I have left them out. How we source our content.

Reference information for students and practitioners — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner. Terms of use.

Chinese Formulas Books & References

https://amzn.to/4fYI3f8
Dan Bensky
https://amzn.to/4j55NRA
Volker Scheid, Andrew Ellis
https://amzn.to/4gMROyv
Him Che. Yeung
https://amzn.to/4h7msSK
Qiao Yi

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