Hou Po Wen Zhong Tang厚朴温中汤
Magnolia Bark Decoction for Warming the Middle
Ingredients7 herbs
Indications
Cold-damp with qi stagnation in the Spleen and Stomach. Cold congeals, damp obstructs, and qi cannot turn in the middle burner; the fullness is the symptom, the cold and damp are the cause, so the formula treats all three at once.
Clinical Manifestations
- Epigastric and abdominal distention or pain, better for warmth
- Poor appetite with a heavy, greasy tongue coating
- Fatigue and heavy limbs
- Digestive discomfort brought on by cold weather or cold food
- Loose stool with abdominal fullness
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Cold pronounced with cold limbs — increase Gan Jiang 干姜 and add Rou Gui 肉桂
- Food stagnation as well — add Shan Zha 山楂, Shen Qu 神曲 and Mai Ya 麦芽
- Marked Spleen qi deficiency — add Dang Shen 党参 and Bai Zhu 白术
- Nausea and vomiting — add Zhi Ban Xia 制半夏 and increase Sheng Jiang 生姜
- Pain radiating to the flanks — add Xiang Fu 香附 and Yan Hu Suo 延胡索
Contraindications
Not for damp-heat in the middle burner, where the coating is yellow and greasy and the warming herbs would feed the heat. Not for yin deficiency with a dry red tongue — the formula is aromatic, warm and drying throughout. Abdominal pain that is severe, constant or accompanied by fever, vomiting or a rigid abdomen needs conventional assessment rather than a warming decoction.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Use with caution in pregnancy and only under supervision. Hou Po and Mu Xiang move and descend qi vigorously; a warm, drying prescription of this kind is a practitioner's decision during pregnancy, not a self-care one.
Related Formulas
References
Source Nei Wai Shang Bian Huo Lun 《内外伤辨惑论》 · Jin
「治脾胃虚寒，心腹胀满，及秋冬客寒犯胃，时作疼痛。」
- 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.