HERB FORMULAS

TAN PI TANG - 痰痞汤 - PHLEGM CONSTIPATION DECOCTION

English: Phlegm Constipation Decoction
Also Known As:

HERBS AND ACTIONS

Pharmaceutical Latin
Pin Yin
Dosage
Actions
Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae Bai Zhu 12-15g Tonifies the Spleen, augments Qi and dries Dampness.
Sm. Raphani Lai Fu Zi 12-15g Reduces Food Stagnation, transforms accumulation, promotes digestion, eliminates distention, descends Qi and reduces Phlegm.
With Zhi Ban Xia, for distention and vomiting due to Food Stagnation.
With Bai Zhu, for Food Stagnation with Spleen Deficiency.
Rz. Pinelliae Preparatum Zhi Ban Xia 12-15g Dries Dampness, transforms Phlegm and harmonizes the Stomach.
With Hou Po, for Phlegm-Dampness with Qi Stagnation with nausea, vomiting and a sensation of distention in the hypochondrium.
Rx. Saposhnikoviae Fang Feng 9-12g Expels Wind-Dampness and alleviates pain.
With Qiang Huo, for Wind-Dampness.
Rx. Bupleuri Chai Hu 9-12g Spreads Liver Qi, relieves Stagnation, raises Yang Qi and resolves Phlegm and congestion.
With Fang Feng and Qiang Huo, elevates Yang Qi.
Rz. et Rx. Notopterygii Qiang Huo 9-12g Releases the Exterior, disperses Cold, expels Wind-Cold-Dampness and alleviates pain.
With Fang Feng, for pain due to External Wind-Dampness.
Sm. Platycladi Bai Zi Ren 9-12g Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels.
Fr. Aurantii Immaturus Zhi Shi 9-12g Breaks up Stagnant Qi, reduces accumulation, descends Qi, unblocks the bowels, removes Stagnant Food, transforms Phlegm, reduces distention and resolves hardenings.
With Hou Po, for distention, swelling and pain due to Food Stagnation and Qi Stagnation.
With Shan Zha, Shen Qu and Mai Ya, for focal distention, swelling and pain along with foul-smelling belching associated with Food Stagnation and Qi Obstruction.
With Bai Zhu, for distention in the epigastrium and abdomen due to Spleen and Stomach Deficiency with Food Stagnation.
With Hou Po, Zhi Ban Xian and Bai Zhu, for Epigastric distention and fullness, anorexia, and fatigue due to a Cold-Heat complex obstructing the Qi and leading to Damp Accumulation.
Sm. Arecae Bing Lang 9-12g Regulates Qi, reduces accumulations, drains downward and unblocks the bowels.
Cx. Magnoliae Officinalis Hou Po 9-12g Promotes the movement of Qi in the Middle Jiao, resolves Stagnation, resolves Food Stagnation,descends Rebellious Qi, dries Dampness and reduces Phlegm.
With Zhi Shi and Bai Zhu, for epigastric and abdominal distention due to Qi and Food Stagnation.
Rx. Glycyrrhizae Gan Cao 3-6g Tonifies the Spleen, augments Qi, resolves Phlegm, moderates and harmonizes the harsh properties of other herbs and guides the herbs to all twelve channels.

FORMULA ACTIONS

  • Transforms and eliminates Phlegm
  • Opens the bowels
  • Elevates Yang to facilitate the descent of turbid Yin
  • Regulates Liver Qi
  • Strengthens the Spleen

SYNDROMES

  • Phlegm Accumulation

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

  • Chronic constipation or
  • Sluggish stool which may contain mucus
  • Maybe tenesmus
  • After evacuation, the patient feels lighter and more clear-headed
  • Abdominal distention and discomfort
  • Foggy-headedness
  • Poor concentration
  • Poor memory
  • Tendency toward sleepiness
  • Lethargy
  • Heaviness of the body
  • Maybe chronic mucus production from the sinuses and Lungs
  • Greasy skin
  • A musty body odor
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches that can be triggered by strong smells
  • A tendency toward obesity
  • A pear shaped body
  • T: Flabby and swollen
  • C: Greasy and white, thicker at the root
  • P: Deep and slippery or Wiry

TREATS

CONTRAINDICATIONS AND HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

NOTES

MODIFICATIONS

For resistant cases: For Wind-Cold:
+ 3g blackened Fr. Gleditsiae Jiao Zao Jiao + 6-9g Rz. Zingiberis Gan Jiang
+ 3g Cx. Cinnamomi
For Heat:
For foggy-headedness:
+ 15-18g Sm. Trichosanthis Gua Lou Ren
+ 6-9g Rx. Acori Tatarinowii Shi Chang Pu
+ 9-12g Caulis Bambusae in Taeniam Zhu Ru
+ 6-9g Rx. Polygalae Yuan Zhi
For anxiety or palpitations:
For Food Stagnation: + 15-30g Concha Margaritaferae Zhen Zhu Mu
+ 15g baked Massa Medicata Fermentata Jiao Shen Qu
+ 15-30g Concha Ostreae Mu Li
+ 15g baked Fr. Crataegi Jiao Shan Zha
   
+ 15g dry-fried Fr. Hordei Germinatus Chao Mai Ya