Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang生姜泻心汤

Fresh Ginger Decoction to Drain the Epigastrium

Harmonizing 和解剂Harmonize Intestines and Stomach 调和肠胃

Ingredients8 herbs

HerbDosageWhat it does in this formula

生Sheng Jiang生姜切Zingiberis Rhizoma recens12gDisperses accumulated water, harmonizes the Stomach and stops belching 甘Zhi Gan Cao甘草炙Glycyrrhizae Radix Praeparata9gAugments qi and harmonizes the warm and cold halves 人Ren Shen人参Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma9gRestores middle-burner qi so the knot does not re-form 干Gan Jiang干姜Zingiberis Rhizoma3gWarms the middle — reduced here so fresh ginger can lead 黄Huang Qin黄芩Scutellariae Radix9gClears heat and dries damp with Huang Lian 半Ban Xia (prepared)半夏洗Pinelliae Rhizoma preparatum9gDries damp, disperses clumping and settles counterflow 黄Huang Lian黄连Coptidis Rhizoma3gClears the heat bound in the epigastrium 大Da Zao大枣Jujubae Fructus4枚Supports the Spleen and moderates the bitter cold herbs

Indications

Harmonizes the Stomach and redirects counterflow downwardDisperses water accumulation and resolves focal distensionBalances the cold and the heat of the middle burner

Focal distension from water and heat bound together. The Stomach qi is disharmonious and undigested water lingers in the middle, so cold below and heat above are further complicated by fluid that will not move.

Clinical Manifestations

Focal fullness below the sternum that is firm but not painful
Belching with the smell of stale food
Loud borborygmus with diarrhea
Nausea and reduced appetite after a febrile illness
Watery sounds in the epigastrium

TonguePale or slightly red body with a thin yellow, greasy coat

PulseWiry and slippery

Health Categories

Digestive HealthStress & Emotional Balance

Modern Applications

Functional dyspepsia Chronic gastritis Gastroesophageal reflux Irritable bowel syndrome Belching

Common adjustments

Water accumulation marked with epigastric splashing — add Fu Ling 茯苓 and Ze Xie 泽泻
Food stagnation with sour belching — add Shan Zha 山楂 and Shen Qu 神曲
Cold predominating with cold limbs — increase Gan Jiang 干姜
Heat predominating with a bitter mouth and yellow coat — increase Huang Lian 黄连 and Huang Qin 黄芩

Contraindications

Focal distension here is soft resistance without pain; if the epigastrium is hard and painful to press, the pattern is a true clumping and this formula is not the answer. Not for distension from pure yang deficiency with no heat signs at all.

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

Pregnancy

Use with caution in pregnancy — the formula contains prepared Ban Xia. Prescribe only under the supervision of a licensed practitioner.

Related Formulas

References

Source Shang Han Lun 《伤寒论》 · Eastern Han

「伤寒汗出解之后，胃中不和，心下痞硬，干噫食臭，胁下有水气，腹中雷鸣下利者，生姜泻心汤主之。」
— 《伤寒论》(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）— appended-formula 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.