BLACK PEARL BP028 XIANG SHA LIU JUN ZI WAN SAUSSUREA & CARDAMON

Citrus & Cardamom Formula XIANG SHA LIU JUN ZI WAN | 六君子丸
香砂
Product Code: BP028

TCM Actions
Tonifies the Qi and strengthens the Stomach and Spleen, dries Damp and resolves Phlegm, regulates the Qi and harmonises the middle Jiao (Stomach and Spleen).

Indications
Chronic gastritis, chronic duodenitis, morning sickness, poor digestion, food allergies, candidiasis (gastrointestinal), gastroduodenal ulcers, chronic bronchitis, asthma, allergic respiratory disorders, chronic colitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, general debility, post-surgery debility.

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

Course of treatment: 3 – 6 months.

Safe for long term use.

Signs and Syndromes
Spleen-Stomach Qi deficiency Phlegm-Damp retention: • Cold-Damp disturbance of the Spleen • Phlegm-Damp obstruction of the Lung

Fatigue

Muscular weakness

Sensation of bodily heaviness

Poor appetite with a sensation of fullness after eating small amounts

Epigastric or abdominal distension with mild pain

Breathlessness on mild exertion

Nausea or vomiting

Belching

Loose stools or diarrhoea

Gastro-oesophageal reflux

Productive cough with watery, clear or white sputum

Pale tongue with a white greasy or thick white coat

Weak pulse that is also slippery or and moderate

Cautions & Contraindications
None noted.

Citrus & Cardamom Formula

Comments
This is a popular variant of Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Major Herbs Combination) from the ‘Formulary of the Tai Ping Welfare Dispensary Bureau’ (tai ping hui min he ji ju fang), 1151. This particular variant, however, was not recorded until 1695, when it appeared in ‘Zhang’s Dictionary of Medicine’ (zhang shi yi tong), by Zhang Lu- xuan, 1695, a comprehensive collection, covering most branches of medicine from ancient to contemporary times. The original included Zingiber (ginger) (sheng jiang), and most modern prepared formulations also include Ziziphus (da zao). However, in a ready prepared herbal pill formulation, with each additional ingredient the dosages of the others are reduced proportionally. Therefore, it is better to use only those that are strictly necessary. In this case both Ziziphus (da zao) and Zingiber (sheng jiang) have been omitted. The former because there are already sufficient Spleen Qi tonifying ingredients in the formula; and the later because Pinellia (ban xia), which requires pre-processing to remove its inherent toxicity, has been processed with ginger juice, thus avoiding the need for additional ginger. This formula is a good example of a treatment that addresses both the primary aspects (ben) as well as the secondary aspects (biao) of a specific condition. While effectively dispelling Phlegm, drying Damp and redirecting the Stomach Qi downwards; it also tonifies the Spleen Qi and promotes the Spleen’s transformation and transportation functions in order to prevent further Damp and Phlegm from being produced. The distinguishing clinical features centre on Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency and epigastric or abdominal distension with mild pain or discomfort. This is discussed further, below in Appendix 1 ‘Distinguishing Between the Spleen Tonifying Formulas’. The synergistic actions of the herbs are as follows:

• Codonopsis root (dang shen), Atractylodes rhizome (bai zu), Wolfiporia cocos (fu ling), Glycyrrhiza root (gan cao): tonify the (Spleen) Qi.

• Atractylodes rhiz. (bai zu), Wolfiporia cocos (fu ling), Pinellia tuber (ban xia), Citrus peel (chen pi), Amomum fruit (sha ren), Citrus medica, fruit (fo shou): dry Damp

• Wolfiporia cocos (fu ling), Pinellia tuber (ban xia), Citrus peel (chen pi), Citrus medica, fruit (fo shou), Amomum fruit (sha ren): regulate the Qi and harmonise the Spleen and Stomach

• Pinellia tuber (ban xia), Citrus peel (chen pi), Wolfiporia cocos (fu ling), Citrus medica, fruit (fo shou): dry Damp and resolve Phlegm

• Citrus medica, fruit (fo shou), Amomum fruit (sha ren): promote the flow of Qi in the Stomach and Intestines to reduce epigastric or abdominal distension, reduce food stagnation and alleviate pain.

Ingredients
CODONOPSIS PILOSULA, ROOT (dang shen) – 黨參 – 75.0mg
ATRACTYLODES MACROCEPHALA, RHIZ. (bai zhu) – 白朮 – 60.0mg
WOLFIPORIA COCOS, FRUIT. BODY (fu ling) – 茯苓 – 60.0mg
PINELLIA TERNATA, TUBER (ban xia) – 半夏 – 45.0mg
CITRUS RETICULATA, FRUIT PEEL (chen pi) – 陳皮 – 45.0mg
CITRUS MEDICA, FRUIT (fo shou) – 佛手 – 30.0mg
AMMOMUM VILLOSUM, FRUIT (sha ren) – 砂仁 – 30.0mg
GLYCYRRHIZA URALENSIS, ROOT (gan cao) – 甘草 – 30.0mg