Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan — Aucklandia & Areca Pill

On this page

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

Overview

Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan — the “Aucklandia and Areca Pill” — is from Li Dong-yuan’s Jin-Yuan Ru Men Shi Qin. It treats Damp-Heat with food and Qi stagnation in the Stomach and Intestines, producing tenesmus, foul-smelling diarrhoea or constipation, marked abdominal distention, bitter taste and a sticky yellow tongue coat. The formula combines strong Qi-movers (Mu Xiang, Bing Lang, Qing Pi, Chen Pi, Xiang Fu) with purging cooling herbs (Da Huang, Mang Xiao) and Heat-clearers (Huang Lian, Huang Bai), making it a powerful intervention for acute Damp-Heat bowel disease.

I prescribe Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan is prescribed for Damp-Heat with food and Qi stagnation in the bowels:

• Marked abdominal distention and fullness
• Pain that resists pressure
• Foul-smelling diarrhoea or constipation
• Tenesmus (urgent unproductive bowel sensation)
• Bitter taste, dry mouth
• Anal burning
• Dark yellow urine
• Tongue — red, yellow greasy coat
• Pulse — slippery, rapid

Key herbs

1. Mu Xiang, Bing Lang — chief; move Qi; descend accumulation
2. Qing Pi, Chen Pi, Xiang Fu — move Liver and Stomach Qi
3. Zhi Shi, E Zhu — break Qi and Blood stagnation
4. Da Huang, Mang Xiao — purge accumulation; drain Heat downward
5. Huang Lian, Huang Bai — clear Damp-Heat from the Intestines
6. Qian Niu Zi (morning glory seed) — purges water and accumulation strongly

Formula actions

1. Moves Qi vigorously
2. Purges accumulation
3. Clears Damp-Heat
4. Relieves tenesmus and abdominal distention

Conditions treated

1. Acute bacterial dysentery in the excess phase (with conventional antibiotics if indicated)
2. Diverticulitis with Damp-Heat pattern (alongside medical care)
3. Severe acute IBS-C with Damp-Heat pattern
4. Acute UC flare with severe Damp-Heat (alongside conventional care)
5. Functional dyspepsia with food retention and Damp-Heat
6. Acute on chronic constipation with Damp-Heat pattern

Cautions

Contains Da Huang, Mang Xiao and Qian Niu Zi — strictly contraindicated in pregnancy.

Not appropriate for cold-deficient, Yin-deficient or Spleen-Qi-deficient patterns — the strong purging and Qi-moving herbs damage Yang and Qi.

For short-term acute use only; once stagnation clears, switch to a tonifying formula.

Acute severe abdominal pain may indicate appendicitis, perforation or bowel obstruction — needs urgent surgical assessment.

Severe bacterial dysentery requires conventional medical care including antibiotics and rehydration.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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