Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang (Pinellia Decoction to Drain the Epigastrium)

Pinellia Decoction to Drain the Epigastrium

Shang Han Lun, c. 220 CE

• Ban Xia – chief
• Huang Lian & Huang Qin (clear heat); Gan Jiang (warm)
• Ren Shen, Da Zao, Zhi Gan Cao (tonify)

• Harmonises the Stomach and disperses clumping (focal distension)
• Descends rebellious qi and stops vomiting; resolves mixed cold-heat

Epigastric focal distension and fullness without pain, nausea or vomiting, borborygmus and diarrhoea, from mixed cold and heat.

Tongue: thin, yellow, greasy coat. Pulse: wiry and rapid (or weak).

With more heat, increase Huang Lian; with more cold, increase Gan Jiang.

For focal distension from clumping, not for fullness due to substantial accumulation.