Bao He Wan — Preserve Harmony Pill

On this page

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

What is Bao He Wan?

Bao He Wan (“Preserve Harmony Pill”) is the classical Chinese formula for food stagnation in the middle jiao. Devised by Zhu Dan Xi in the 14th century, it gently disperses accumulated food, harmonises the Stomach and drains a little Damp-Heat that often arises with stagnant undigested food. It is the formula of choice for the very common modern presentation of bloating, fullness, sour belching and lethargy after over-eating — particularly after rich or heavy meals.

Bao He Wan TCM pattern

Prescribed for food stagnation in the Stomach and Intestines, characterised by: epigastric and abdominal distension and fullness, sour belching and reflux, foul breath, lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting of undigested food, loose stools or constipation, a thick greasy yellowish tongue coat, and a slippery pulse. The pattern follows over-eating, irregular eating or eating rich, fatty, raw or cold food.

Key herbs

1. Shan Zha (hawthorn fruit) — 180 g; the chief herb; reduces meat and fatty food stagnation
2. Shen Qu (medicated leaven) — 60 g; reduces alcohol and grain stagnation
3. Lai Fu Zi (radish seed) — 30 g; reduces grain and starch stagnation; descends Qi
4. Chen Pi (tangerine peel) — 30 g; regulates Qi and resolves Damp
5. Ban Xia (pinellia rhizome) — 30 g; transforms Damp-Phlegm; descends rebellious Stomach Qi
6. Fu Ling (poria) — 30 g; leaches Damp and strengthens Spleen
7. Lian Qiao (forsythia) — 30 g; clears the Heat that arises from stagnant food

Formula actions

1. Reduces food stagnation
2. Harmonises the Stomach
3. Transforms Damp
4. Clears Heat from food stagnation

Conditions treated

1. Functional dyspepsia — particularly bloating, fullness and sour reflux after meals
2. Acute gastroenteritis from over-eating or eating spoiled food
3. Indigestion in children — classical use; gentle and well tolerated
4. Acid reflux particularly when triggered by overeating
5. Postprandial fatigue and brain fog after meals
6. Adjunct in weight management with food stagnation pattern
7. Hangover with nausea, fullness and lethargy (Shen Qu and Lai Fu Zi address alcohol stagnation)

Cautions

Bao He Wan is a dispersing formula — not appropriate for chronic Spleen Qi deficiency without food stagnation. If the underlying problem is true Spleen weakness rather than acute food stagnation, Liu Jun Zi Tang or Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang is more appropriate. 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.