HERB FORMULAS

AN ZHONG SAN - 安中散 - CALM THE MIDDLE POWDER

English: Calm the Middle Powder
Also Known As: Cardamon and Fennel Combination

HERBS AND ACTIONS

Pharmaceutical Latin
Pin Yin
Dosage
Actions
Dry-fried Rx. Glycyrrhizae Chao Gan Cao 30g Tonifies the Spleen, augments Qi, moderates spasms, alleviates pain, harmonizes the Stomach, moderates and harmonizes the harsh properties of other herbs and guides the herbs to all twelve channels.
Rz. Alpiniae Officinarum Gao Liang Jiang 15g Warms the Middle Jiao and alleviates pain.
Rz. Zingiberis Preparata Pao Jiang 15g Warms the Middle and expels Cold.
With Gao Liang Jiang, for abdominal Cold and vomiting due to Stomach Cold.
(Fr. Amomi) (Sha Ren) (15g) (Promotes the movement of Qi, transforms Dampness, strengthens the Spleen, stops vomiting, warms the Middle and stops diarrhea. Substitutes for Pao Jiang in some versions.)
Cx. Cinnamomi Rou Gui 15g Warms the Kidneys, Spleen and Heart, strengthens Yang and Ming Men Fire, disperses deep Cold, warms and unblocks the channels and vessels and alleviates pain.
Dry-fried Fr. Foeniculi Chao Xiao Hui Xiang 15g Warms the Liver and Kidneys, expels Cold, regulates Qi, harmonizes the Stomach and alleviates pain.
Rz. Corydalis Yan Hu Suo 15g Invigorates the Blood, circulates Qi and stops pain.
With Gao Liang Jiang and Pao Jiang, for abdominal pain due to Cold and Blood Stagnation.
Calcined Concha Ostreae Duan Mu Li 12g Absorbs acidity and alleviates pain.

FORMULA ACTIONS

  • Warms the Spleen and Stomach
  • Dispels Cold
  • Harmonizes the Middle Jiao
  • Stops nausea
  • Regulates Qi and Blood
  • Stops pain

SYNDROMES

  • Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold with Qi and Blood Stagnation

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

  • Cramps and pain in the epigastrium
  • Fullness and distention of the chest and hypochondrium
  • Acid reflux
  • Nausea/Vomiting
  • A sallow facial complexion
  • Fatigue
  • Poor muscle tone
  • A flabby abdomen
  • T: Moist
  • C: White
  • P: Large and faint

TREATS

CONTRAINDICATIONS AND HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Contraindicated for those with chest or abdominal pain due to inflammation.
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

NOTES

MODIFICATIONS

For palpitations with mild physical exertion:
For hyperacidity:
+ 20g Poria Fu Ling
+ Calm the Stomach Powder
Ping Wei San
For Food Stagnation:
+ Massa Medicata Fermentata Shen Qu
or
+ Pinellia Decoction to Drain the Epigastrium
Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang
+ Fr. Aurantii Immaturus Zhi Shi
+ Cx. Magnoliae Officinalis Hou Po
For nausea and vomiting:
+ Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum Zhi Ban Xia
For chronic Stomach disorders:
+ Six Gentlemen Decoction
Liu Jun Zi Tang
+ Poria Fu Ling