BLACK PEARL BP010 ER CHEN WAN CITRUS & PINELLIA

ER CHEN WAN
二陳丸
Citrus & Pinellia Combination
Product Code: BP010

TCM Actions
Dries Damp, resolves Phlegm, regulates the Qi and harmonises the middle Jiao.

Indications
Conditions characterised by excessive mucous or sputum (e.g. COPD – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), digestive disorders with nausea or vomiting (e.g. morning sickness, chronic gastritis), Meniere’s disease.

Dosage & Course Of Treatment
8 pills, 3 times daily, half to one hour away from food.

Course of treatment: 1 – 3 months, or longer for chronic condi­ tions

Safe to use long term.

Signs and Syndromes
Phlegm-Damp retention Qi stagnation in the middle Jiao Spleen (Qi) deficiency with Damp retention Cold-Damp disturbance of the Spleen Phlegm-Damp obstruction of the Lung

Productive cough

Copious watery or frothy white sputum that is easily expectorated

Oppression in the chest

Nausea or vomiting

Dizziness

Nasal or sinus congestion

Greasy white tongue coat

Slippery pulse

Cautions & Contraindications
None noted.

Comments
This formula was recorded in the ‘Formulary of the Tai Ping Welfare Dispensary Bureau’ (tai ping hui min he ji ju fang) (1151 CE), a compilation of popular and effective formulas that were used in the public dispensaries of the Song dynastic period. It has a broad range of applications in disorders due to the accumulation of Damp, which in turn gives rise to Phlegm. The origin of the pathogenic complex of Phlegm and Damp is the Spleen, which, when deficient, fails to properly transform and transport the fluids. This leads to the build-up of pathological fluids, which initially manifest as Damp. Due to the effects of time, stagnation or Heat, the Damp congeals (i.e. becomes more viscous) to form Phlegm. The Phlegm-Damp complex obstructs the normal Qi movements in the middle Jiao, further compounding the initial disorder and creating a vicious cycle whereby fluid transportation is further impeded, generating more Damp, which in turn gives rise to more Phlegm. These pathogens follow the pathway of the Spleen Qi to the Lung and obstruct the Lung Qi, manifesting a productive cough with watery, frothy or clear sputum. Thus, we have a scenario in which there is Spleen Qi deficiency with Qi obstruction in the middle Jiao, which are the primary factors (ben) and accumulation of Phlegm-Damp in the middle Jiao and also in the upper Jiao (i.e. the Lung), which are the secondary factors (biao). It should be noted that this formula mainly addresses the secondary factors, i.e. it regulates the Qi, harmonises the middle Jiao, resolves Phlegm and dries Damp. In patients with marked Spleen Qi deficiency, this formula should be combined with a Spleen Qi tonifying formula, as given in the Combinations section. The synergistic actions of the herbs are as follows:

• Pinellia tuber (ban xia): resolves Phlegm, dries Damp and sends the Stomach Qi downward.

• Citrus peel (chen pi): activates the Spleen and promotes Qi movement in the middle Jiao, dries Damp and resolves Phlegm, sends the Stomach Qi downward

• Wolfiporia cocos (fu ling): drains Damp and tonifies the Spleen Qi

• Glycyrrhiza root (gan cao): tonifies the Spleen Qi

Ingredients
WOLFIPORIA COCOS, FRUIT. BODY (fu ling) – 茯苓 – 150mg
PINELLIA TERNATA, TUBER (ban xia) – 半夏 – 112.5mg
CITRUS RETICULATA, FRUIT PEEL (chen pi) – 陳皮 – 75mg
GLYCYRRHIZA URALENSIS, ROOT (gan cao) – 甘草 – 37.5mg