Huo Po Xia Ling Tang — Agastache, Magnolia, Pinellia & Poria Decoction

On this page

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

Overview

Huo Po Xia Ling Tang — the “Agastache, Magnolia, Pinellia and Poria Decoction” — is from Shi Fengtai’s Qing-dynasty Yi Yuan. It is an elegant Wen Bing formula for early-stage Damp-Warm disease where Damp obstructs the Qi mechanism at all three levels. Light surface-opening herbs (Du Huo, Bai Dou Kou) free the surface; aromatic herbs (Huo Xiang, Hou Po) open the middle; Damp-resolving herbs (Ban Xia, Chi Fu Ling, Yi Yi Ren, Zhu Ling, Ze Xie) drain Damp downward through urination. The pattern fits modern viral gastroenteritis with body aches and the heavy-bodied feeling of summer flu.

I prescribe Huo Po Xia Ling Tang as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Huo Po Xia Ling Tang is prescribed for early Damp-Warm disease with Damp obstructing the Qi mechanism:

• Heavy-bodied feeling, fatigue and lethargy
• Low-grade afternoon fever
• Aversion to cold without major chill
• Chest and epigastric oppression
• Poor appetite, mild nausea
• Loose stools or sticky stools
• Tongue — white greasy coat
• Pulse — soggy, slippery

Key herbs

1. Huo Xiang (agastache) — aromatically transforms Damp at the surface
2. Hou Po — moves middle-burner Qi; resolves Damp
3. Ban Xia — dries Damp; descends rebellious Qi
4. Chi Fu Ling, Zhu Ling, Ze Xie, Yi Yi Ren — drain Damp through urination
5. Xing Ren — opens upper-burner Qi
6. Bai Dou Kou — aromatically opens middle Qi
7. Dan Dou Chi (fermented soybean) — releases the exterior gently

Formula actions

1. Releases the exterior gently
2. Aromatically transforms Damp at all three burners
3. Drains Damp through urination
4. Restores the Qi mechanism

Conditions treated

1. Summer viral illness with heavy-bodied feeling and low-grade fever
2. Viral gastroenteritis with chest oppression and poor appetite
3. Early-stage Damp-Warm fever
4. Post-viral fatigue with Damp pattern
5. Long COVID with Damp pattern — heavy fatigue, brain fog, poor appetite
6. Chronic fatigue syndrome with Damp pattern
7. Sub-acute viral hepatitis recovery

Cautions

Not appropriate for Yin-deficient patterns or pure Heat patterns — the drying and warming aromatic herbs damage Yin.

Persistent unexplained fever needs medical investigation.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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