Blue Poppy Pinellia Drain the Heart Decoction
Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang
Primary Traditional Functions
Harmonizes the Stomach and Intestines, Directs rebellious Qi downward, Disperses clumping, Eliminates distention
Pattern
Damp heat in the Stomach and Intestines with Spleen vacuity
Tongue
Thick, slimy, with yellow fur; swollen, with teeth-marks on its edges; cracks in its center
Pulse
Rapid, slippery pulse; forceless, possibly fine.
Description
Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang (Pinellia Decoction to Drain the Epigastrium) is a classical formula designed to harmonize the Stomach and Intestines by addressing simultaneous Cold and Heat in the middle burner. Traditionally, it is indicated for epigastric fullness, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, borborygmus, and diarrhea, reflecting underlying disharmony of the digestive system. In modern practice, it is frequently used to support people with gastritis, peptic ulcers, reflux, and functional bowel disorders presenting with this mixed pattern.
Traditional Indications
This formula is used when there is a complex mix of Cold and Heat in the middle burner (Stomach and Intestines). The key pattern is called “Pi syndrome”, characterized by focal distention/fullness in the epigastrium that is soft on palpation, often accompanied by both Heat and Cold signs.
Typical symptoms include:
- Bitter taste or dry mouth (Heat signs) together with a greasy coating (Dampness/Cold)
- Borborygmus, diarrhea, or irregular bowel movements
- Epigastric fullness or distention (not hard, but uncomfortable)
- General sensation of mixed hot and cold in the digestion
- Poor appetite, nausea, or vomiting
Modern Clinical Applications
Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang is often applied for gastrointestinal conditions involving mixed Heat and Cold or disharmony between the Stomach and Intestines such as:
Commonly applied in contemporary use for:
- Chronic or acute gastritis
- Functional dyspepsia
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Peptic ulcers
- Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease (TCM Damp-Heat with Cold)
Typical Usage
3 capsules per day or as directed by your wellness coach.
Potency 10:1, 120 vegicaps per bottle.
Ingredients:
Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) 86 mg, Dang Shen (Radix Codonopsis) 86 mg, Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) 86 mg, Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) 86 mg, Gan Jiang (dry Rhizoma Zingiberis) 57 mg, mix-fried Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) 57 mg, Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis) 42 mg
Other Ingredients:
Vegetarian capsule (hypromellose - alternative to animal gelatin)