Fu Fang Da Cheng Qi Tang复方大承气汤

Compound Major Order the Qi Decoction

Purging Downward 泻下剂Cold Purgation 寒下

Ingredients7 herbs

HerbDosageWhat it does in this formula

厚Hou Po厚朴Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex15~20gMoves qi downward and deflates the distended abdomen

炒Chao Lai Fu Zi炒莱菔子Raphani Semen15~30gDescends qi and disperses trapped gas

枳Zhi Ke枳壳Aurantii Fructus15gOpens the qi dynamic more gently than Zhi Shi 桃Tao Ren桃仁Persicae Semen9gMoves blood stasis in the congested bowel wall and moistens the stool 赤Chi Shao赤芍Paeoniae Radix Rubra15gCools blood and disperses stasis, easing the cramping pain 大Da Huang大黄后下Rhei Radix et Rhizoma9~15gPurges the bound accumulation and reopens the bowel 芒Mang Xiao芒硝冲服Natrii Sulfas9~15gSoftens the hardened contents so they can move

Indications

Purges the interior and unblocks the bowelMoves qi and relieves gaseous distensionInvigorates blood in the obstructed segment

Yang Ming bowel excess complicated by pronounced qi distension and blood stasis. The bowel is both blocked and gaseous, and the wall itself is congested — which is why the purge is paired with qi-moving and blood-moving herbs.

Clinical Manifestations

Simple intestinal obstruction with a Yang Ming excess pattern
Severe abdominal distension with absent or high-pitched bowel sounds
Postoperative or adhesive bowel stasis under specialist supervision
Constipation with vomiting and colicky abdominal pain

TongueDry yellow or greasy yellow coating

PulseWiry, slippery and forceful

Health Categories

Digestive Health

Modern Applications

Intestinal obstruction Ileus Abdominal distension Postoperative bowel stasis Adhesions

Common adjustments

Distension the dominant complaint — increase Hou Po and Lai Fu Zi and give the decoction in divided doses
Marked stasis with fixed, stabbing pain — increase Tao Ren 桃仁 and Chi Shao 赤芍

Contraindications

This is a hospital formula for a surgical presentation. Strangulated obstruction, peritonitis or a perforated bowel are surgical emergencies and must not be treated with a purge. Not for the frail, the elderly with a deficiency pattern, or anyone whose obstruction has not been properly assessed.

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

Pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnancy. Every axis of this formula argues against it — Da Huang and Mang Xiao purge, Zhi Ke and Hou Po break qi, and Tao Ren and Chi Shao move blood; that is precisely the combination classical practice forbids in pregnancy.

Related Formulas

References

Source Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Zhi Liao Ji Fu Zheng 《中西医结合治疗急腹症》 · Modern

Source text as cited above — a modern compilation, so no public-domain classical line is quoted.
2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition cross-checked.
3. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— chapter placement, 功用 and 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.