Xiao Ban Xia Jia Fu Ling Tang — Minor Pinellia and Poria Decoction

On this page

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

Overview

Xiao Ban Xia Jia Fu Ling Tang — Minor Pinellia and Poria Decoction — is the Xiao Ban Xia Tang of the Jin Gui Yao Lue (Zhang Zhongjing, ~200 CE) with the addition of Fu Ling to extend its reach from purely Stomach-Phlegm to the wider Phlegm-Fluid retention that produces palpitations and dizziness alongside the vomiting. It targets the classical pattern of “Phlegm-Fluid” (tan yin) accumulating in the Middle Jiao — the body’s clear fluids failing to be transported by the Spleen and stagnating around the diaphragm and Stomach. Modern Chinese clinical research has reported strong results with this formula in Ménière’s disease, where the inner-ear fluid retention picture maps closely onto the classical Phlegm-Fluid pattern. It is one of the few formulas safe for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy when prescribed by an experienced practitioner.

TCM pattern

Prescribed for Phlegm-Fluid retention in the Middle Jiao with rebellious Stomach Qi, characterised by: vomiting of clear or watery fluids; nausea aggravated by drinking water; epigastric distension and splashing sounds; palpitations; dizziness, particularly on changing position; possibly headache; a swollen pale tongue with a slippery white coating; and a slippery pulse.

Key herbs

1. Ban Xia (Pinellia ternata rhizome) — chief; dries Damp, transforms Phlegm and descends rebellious Stomach Qi
2. Sheng Jiang (fresh ginger) — warms the Stomach, descends rebellious Qi and reduces the toxicity of Ban Xia
3. Fu Ling (poria) — drains the retained Phlegm-Fluid through urination and calms the Heart

Formula actions

1. Resolves Phlegm-Fluid
2. Descends rebellious Stomach Qi
3. Harmonises the Stomach and stops vomiting
4. Calms palpitations

Conditions treated

1. Persistent vomiting of clear or watery fluids from Phlegm-Fluid retention
2. Ménière’s disease and other vertiginous conditions with vomiting
3. Pregnancy nausea and vomiting with Phlegm-Fluid pattern
4. Chemotherapy-induced vomiting with palpitations
5. Motion sickness with severe nausea
6. Functional dyspepsia with splashing sounds in the epigastrium
7. Hiatus hernia with vomiting of clear fluid
8. Postural vertigo with concurrent nausea
9. Atrial palpitations with Phlegm-Fluid pattern

Cautions

Ban Xia must always be prepared (fa ban xia, jiang ban xia or qing ban xia) — raw Ban Xia is toxic. The pharmaceutical-grade preparation supplied by Sun Ten is safe; a qualified practitioner ensures correct selection. Not appropriate for Yin-deficiency dry vomiting or Stomach-Heat vomiting. 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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