Huo Po Xia Ling Tang藿朴夏苓汤

Patchouli, Magnolia Bark, Pinellia and Poria Decoction

Expelling Dampness 祛湿剂Clear Heat and Expel Damp 清热祛湿

Ingredients11 herbs

HerbDosageWhat it does in this formula

藿Huo Xiang藿香Pogostemonis Herba6gAromatically transforms damp and vents the light surface layer — the first addition over the parent formula 半Zhi Ban Xia半夏Pinelliae Rhizoma praeparatum4.5gDries damp in the middle burner and stops nausea

赤赤苓9g

杏Xing Ren杏仁Armeniacae Amarum Semen9gOpens the Lung above, retained from the parent formula's upper-burner role

生生苡仁12g

白白蔻仁3g

通通草3g 猪Zhu Ling猪苓Polyporus9gWidens the urinary exit — one of the additions that make this formula more draining 淡Dan Dou Chi淡豆豉Sojae Semen praeparatum9gLightly vents the surface without forcing a sweat 泽Ze Xie泽泻Alismatis Rhizoma4.5gDrains damp downward and out 厚Hou Po厚朴Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex3gMoves qi downward so damp is not left standing

Indications

Releases the exterior and transforms dampFrees the qi dynamic of the three burnersPromotes urination and leaches out dampHarmonizes the Stomach and stops nausea

Early damp-warmth in which damp predominates and a light exterior remains. Damp veils the surface and clogs the middle, so both the surface and the water pathways need opening.

Clinical Manifestations

Early damp-warmth with chills and a low fever
Heavy tired limbs with a sticky mouth
Chest oppression with nausea and no appetite
Damp-warmth with scanty urine and loose stool
Lingering low fever in humid weather

TongueThin white greasy coating

PulseSoggy and moderate

Health Categories

Digestive HealthEnergy & FatigueImmune SupportCold & Flu Relief

Modern Applications

Fever of unknown origin Viral gastroenteritis Typhoid fever Chronic fatigue Dyspepsia

Common adjustments

Heat becomes more evident — add Huang Qin 黄芩 and Hua Shi 滑石
Vomiting is prominent — increase Zhi Ban Xia 制半夏 and add Sheng Jiang 生姜
The exterior chill is strong — add Xiang Ru 香薷
Abdominal distension — increase Hou Po 厚朴 and add Chen Pi 陈皮

Contraindications

Not for damp that has already turned to heat, with a yellow greasy coating, thirst and a high fever — that needs a cooler formula. Not for a dry warm disease with a red peeled tongue, where these acrid drying and draining herbs will consume fluids further.

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

Pregnancy

Use with caution in pregnancy — it contains Ban Xia and a strong draining group, and fever in pregnancy needs medical assessment. Prescribe only on a practitioner's judgment.

Related Formulas

References

Source 《感证辑要》引《医原》 · Qing

Classical source of record (public domain).
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）— 附方 note 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.