Ban Xia Hou Po Tang半夏厚朴汤
Pinellia & Magnolia Bark Decoction
Ingredients5 herbs
Indications
Qi constraint with phlegm congealing: emotional constraint knots the qi, fluids gather into phlegm, and the two bind in the throat and diaphragm. The formula is chosen on the pattern — the globus sensation with chest oppression aggravated by emotion — not on any Western disease name.
Clinical Manifestations
- Sensation of an obstruction in the throat
- Chest and hypochondriac stuffiness or oppression
- Cough or vomiting from rebellious qi with phlegm
- Stress-related globus and functional dyspepsia presentations
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Pronounced hypochondriac pain — add Xiang Fu 香附, Yu Jin 郁金
- Constraint transforming into heat — add Zhi Zi 栀子, Huang Qin 黄芩; reduce warming herbs
- Marked throat dryness from fluid damage — add Xuan Shen 玄参, Mai Dong
Contraindications
Acrid, drying and dispersing: not appropriate where the globus arises from yin deficiency with heat (red tongue, scanty coating) — the pattern calls for enriching, not further drying.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Practitioner supervision required
References
Source Jin Gui Yao Lue 《金匮要略》 · Eastern Han
「妇人咽中如有炙脔，半夏厚朴汤主之。」
- Zhang Zhong-jing 张仲景. Jin Gui Yao Lue《金匮要略》(classical source).
2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
3. 《方剂学》（规划教材）— pattern analysis cross-checked.
Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.