Wei Ling Tang — Calm the Stomach and Poria Decoction

On this page

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

Overview

Wei Ling Tang — Calm the Stomach and Poria Decoction — is a classical combination of two of the most famous Chinese formulas, Ping Wei San (Calm the Stomach Powder) and Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria). The combination was first recorded under the name “Wei Ling San” by the Southern Song gynaecologist Chen Ziming in his Fu Ren Da Quan Liang Fang and was preserved in the Ming dynasty encyclopaedia Pu Ji Fang for treating watery diarrhoea in summer and autumn when the Spleen and Stomach are injured by Cold-Damp. It addresses two patterns simultaneously: Damp obstructing the Middle Jiao (producing the digestive symptoms) and water failing to transform in the Lower Jiao (producing the urinary symptoms and oedema). This dual reach makes it one of the most useful formulas for the modern presentation of viral or food-poisoning gastroenteritis with concurrent fluid retention or scanty dark urine.

TCM pattern

Prescribed for Cold-Damp obstructing the Spleen and Stomach with water retention, characterised by: watery diarrhoea with abdominal distension and rumbling; reduced appetite and nausea; scanty dark urine or urinary difficulty; thirst with no desire to drink; mild oedema; heavy aching limbs; a swollen pale tongue with a thick white greasy coating; and a slippery, moderate pulse.

Key herbs

1. Cang Zhu (Atractylodes lancea rhizome) — chief; powerfully dries Damp and strengthens the Spleen
2. Hou Po (Magnolia officinalis bark) — descends Qi and dries Damp
3. Chen Pi (tangerine peel) — regulates Qi and dries Damp
4. Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala rhizome) — tonifies Spleen Qi and dries Damp
5. Fu Ling (poria) — tonifies Spleen and drains Damp
6. Zhu Ling (Polyporus) — promotes urination and drains Damp
7. Ze Xie (Alisma rhizome) — promotes urination and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Jiao
8. Gui Zhi (cinnamon twig) — warms and promotes Yang to transform water
9. Zhi Gan Cao (honey-fried licorice) — harmonises the formula

Formula actions

1. Strengthens the Spleen and dries Damp
2. Regulates Qi and warms the Middle
3. Promotes urination and resolves water retention
4. Stops diarrhoea

Conditions treated

1. Acute viral or food-poisoning gastroenteritis with watery diarrhoea
2. Chronic functional diarrhoea with Cold-Damp pattern
3. IBS-diarrhoea with abdominal distension and water retention
4. Acute oedema with diarrhoea following overeating cold or raw food
5. Premenstrual water retention when combined with digestive sluggishness
6. Urinary dysfunction with concurrent diarrhoea or bloating
7. Mild ascites with Spleen-Damp pattern
8. Childhood acute diarrhoea with reduced urination

Cautions

Not appropriate for Damp-Heat or Yin-deficient patterns where heat or dryness predominates. 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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