Ban Xia Hou Po Tang — Pinellia and Magnolia Bark Decoction

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Conditions treated
5. Cautions

Overview

Ban Xia Hou Po Tang — Pinellia and Magnolia Bark Decoction — is the classical Chinese herbal formula for the condition known in TCM as “Plum Pit Qi” (Mei He Qi) — the sensation of something stuck in the throat that cannot be swallowed down or expelled upward. This condition, described in Zhang Zhongjing’s Jin Gui Yao Lue, corresponds closely to what western medicine calls globus pharyngeus — a functional throat sensation in the absence of any structural abnormality. The formula addresses the underlying mechanism of Phlegm and Qi stagnation condensing in the throat, which arises when emotional constraint (particularly worry, grief or suppressed emotion) causes Liver Qi stagnation and Spleen Qi deficiency, leading to Phlegm accumulation.

TCM pattern

Prescribed for Phlegm-Qi stagnation in the throat (Plum Pit Qi / Mei He Qi), characterised by: a persistent sensation of something stuck in the throat that is neither painful nor harmful but cannot be cleared by swallowing or coughing, a sense of fullness or obstruction in the chest, nausea, cough, a swollen tongue with greasy coating, and a wiry, slippery pulse. Symptoms typically worsen with emotional stress and improve with distraction.

Key herbs

1. Ban Xia (Pinellia ternata rhizome, processed) — the principal herb; dries Dampness, transforms Phlegm and descends Rebellious Qi; directly addresses the Phlegm obstruction in the throat
2. Hou Po (Magnolia officinalis bark) — moves Qi, dries Dampness and relieves the sense of obstruction and fullness in the chest and throat
3. Fu Ling (Poria cocos) — tonifies Spleen Qi and resolves Dampness; addresses the root cause of Phlegm production
4. Sheng Jiang (fresh Zingiber officinale rhizome) — warms the Middle, assists Ban Xia and stops nausea
5. Zi Su Ye (Perilla frutescens leaf) — disperses Qi, moves Phlegm and releases the exterior; its aromatic quality disperses the Phlegm-Qi condensation in the throat

Conditions treated

1. Globus pharyngeus (globus sensation) — the formula’s specific classical indication; the feeling of something stuck in the throat with no structural cause
2. Anxiety with throat tightness, chest oppression and difficulty swallowing from Phlegm-Qi stagnation
3. Depression with a sense of emotional blockage and physical constriction in the chest and throat
4. Stress-related nausea and digestive symptoms with throat constriction
5. Chronic cough and throat clearing from Phlegm-Qi obstruction in the throat
6. Voice disorders and hoarseness from Phlegm obstructing the throat channels

Cautions

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available. See the prices page for costs.