Ban Xia Tian Ma Bai Zhu Tang半夏白术天麻汤

Pinellia, Atractylodes & Gastrodia Decoction (Pinellia & Gastrodia Combination)

Dispelling Phlegm 祛痰剂化痰熄风

Ingredients6 herbs

HerbDosageRoleWhat it does in this formula

半Jiang Ban Xia半夏Pinelliae Rhizoma praeparatum4.5g君 ChiefDries damp, transforms phlegm and downbears rebellious Stomach qi 天Tian Ma天麻Gastrodiae Rhizoma3g君 ChiefCalms the Liver and extinguishes wind, stopping dizziness and headache 茯Fu Ling茯苓Poria3g臣 DeputyLeaches damp out and supports the Spleen 橘橘红3g佐 Assistant 白Bai Zhu白术Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma9g臣 DeputyFortifies the Spleen and dries damp at the source of the phlegm 甘甘草1.5g使 Envoy

Indications

Dries damp and transforms phlegmExtinguishes internal wind, stops dizziness and headacheFortifies the Spleen and disperses food stagnation

Wind-phlegm rising on a background of Spleen deficiency: a Spleen that cannot transform fluids makes phlegm, the phlegm stirs internal wind, and together they cloud the head. Treating the Spleen is treating the cause; settling the wind treats what the patient feels.

Clinical Manifestations

Dizziness or vertigo with a heavy, muzzy head
Headache with nausea and a stifling chest
Phlegm-damp vertigo worsened by fatigue or rich food
Poor appetite with fullness after eating
Heavy limbs and daytime sleepiness

TongueWhite greasy coating

PulseWiry and slippery

Health Categories

Digestive Health

Modern Applications

Vertigo Dizziness Migraine Tension headache Nausea Vestibular disorders

Common adjustments

Vertigo severe, with Liver yang rising — add Gou Teng 钩藤 and Shi Jue Ming 石決明
Phlegm has turned to heat (yellow sticky sputum, bitter mouth) — drop Gan Jiang 干姜 and add Huang Lian 黄连 with Zhu Ru 竹茹
Headache pronounced — add Chuan Xiong 川芎
Vomiting prominent — increase Jiang Ban Xia 姜半夏 and add Sheng Jiang 生姜

Contraindications

Not for dizziness of Liver yang rising, yin deficiency or blood deficiency — the acrid drying herbs consume exactly the fluids those patterns need. Ban Xia is toxic in its raw state and must be used processed; it is classically listed as incompatible with the aconite family (Wu Tou, Fu Zi) and should not be combined with them outside specialist practice.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.

Pregnancy

Generally avoided in pregnancy and never without practitioner supervision — Ban Xia is traditionally restricted in pregnancy and the formula as a whole is warm and drying.

References

Source 《医学心悟》 · Jin dynasty

「足太阴痰厥头痛，非半夏不能疗；眼黑头旋，风虚内作，非天麻不能除。」
— 《脾胃论》(classical source, public domain)

Classical source (public domain), cited in the source-quote section.
2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
3. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— 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.