Liang Fu Wan — Galangal and Cyperus Pill

On this page

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

Overview

Liang Fu Wan — Galangal and Cyperus Pill — is an elegant two-herb classical formula recorded in the Liang Fang Ji Ye (1842 CE). It combines Gao Liang Jiang (lesser galangal) to warm the Stomach and disperse Cold with Xiang Fu (cyperus) to soothe the Liver and regulate Qi. The simplicity of the formula belies its clinical power: when Cold has lodged in the Stomach and Liver Qi has become constrained around it, the two-herb pair addresses both layers in one prescription. It is one of the most useful formulas for the modern presentation of stress-aggravated cold-sensitive epigastric pain, dysmenorrhoea worse from cold, and chronic gastritis with both cold and Qi-stagnation components.

TCM pattern

Prescribed for Cold invading the Stomach with Liver Qi stagnation, characterised by: cold epigastric pain that is relieved by warmth and pressure; pain that worsens with emotional upset; preference for hot drinks; aversion to cold food and weather; bitter taste; possibly belching or hiccups; pale tongue with a thin white coating; and a wiry, slow pulse.

Key herbs

1. Gao Liang Jiang (Alpinia officinarum rhizome, lesser galangal) — warms the Middle Jiao, disperses Cold from the Stomach and alleviates pain
2. Xiang Fu (Cyperus rotundus rhizome) — soothes the Liver, regulates Qi and alleviates pain

Equal parts of each, ground into powder and formed into pills with a little ginger juice. Usual dose 3–6 g.

Formula actions

1. Warms the Middle Jiao and disperses Cold
2. Soothes the Liver and regulates Qi
3. Alleviates pain

Conditions treated

1. Cold-pattern epigastric pain relieved by warmth from Cold-invading-Stomach with Liver Qi stagnation
2. Chronic gastritis aggravated by stress and cold food
3. Peptic ulcer pain with cold and Qi-stagnation pattern
4. Dysmenorrhoea with cold lower abdominal pain worse with cold and stress
5. Painful inguinal hernia from Cold invading the Liver channel
6. Functional dyspepsia worse with cold drinks and emotional upset
7. IBS with cold-sensitive cramping and stress-related flares
8. Postpartum cold abdominal pain with emotional component

Cautions

Not appropriate for Heat-pattern pain or Yin-deficiency dryness. Caution in pregnancy. 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.

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