Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan枳实导滞丸

Unripe Bitter Orange Pill to Guide out Stagnation

Reducing Food Stagnation 消食剂Reduce Food Stagnation 消食化滞

Ingredients8 herbs

HerbDosageRoleWhat it does in this formula

大Da Huang大黄Rhei Radix et Rhizoma30g君 ChiefPurges the accumulation and the damp-heat out through the stool 枳Zhi Shi枳实麸炒Aurantii Fructus Immaturus15g臣 DeputyBreaks up stagnant qi and relieves the distension 神Shen Qu神曲炒Massa Medica fermentata15g佐 AssistantReduces the food accumulation itself and settles the Stomach 茯Fu Ling茯苓去皮Poria9g佐 AssistantLeaches damp out through the urine 黄Huang Qin黄芩去腐Scutellariae Radix9g佐 AssistantWorks with Huang Lian to drain damp-heat 黄Huang Lian黄连拣净Coptidis Rhizoma9g佐 AssistantDries damp and clears the heat of the Stomach and Intestines 白Bai Zhu白术Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma9g佐 AssistantStrengthens the Spleen so the purge does not injure the middle burner 泽Ze Xie泽泻Alismatis Rhizoma6g佐 AssistantGives the damp-heat a second exit through urination

Indications

Guides out accumulation and unblocks the bowelsDrains damp-heat from the middle burnerReduces food accumulation and relieves fullnessStrengthens the Spleen so the purge does not exhaust it

Damp-heat food accumulation obstructing the middle burner. Undischarged food ferments into damp-heat, the qi dynamic of the Stomach and Intestines is blocked, and the bowel movement — whether bound or urgent — fails to clear what is stuck.

Clinical Manifestations

Distended, tender abdomen after rich or alcoholic food
Constipation, or scanty urgent stools with tenesmus
Foul-smelling diarrhoea that leaves no relief
Acute dysenteric disorders with damp-heat
Reduced appetite with a thick yellow greasy coating

TongueYellow, greasy coating

PulseSlippery and rapid

Health Categories

Digestive Health

Modern Applications

Acute gastroenteritis Constipation Bacillary dysentery Functional dyspepsia Abdominal distension

Common adjustments

Severe distension and fullness — add Mu Xiang 木香 and Bing Lang 槟榔 — this is Mu Xiang Dao Zhi Wan
Dysenteric stools with blood — add Bai Shao 白芍 and Mu Dan Pi 牡丹皮
Heat mild, damp predominant — reduce Huang Lian 黄连 and increase Fu Ling 茯苓 and Ze Xie 泽泻
Accumulation resolved but the Spleen still weak — stop the purgative and change to a Spleen-strengthening formula such as Jian Pi Wan 健脾丸

Contraindications

Not for a deficiency-cold middle burner with clear watery diarrhoea and a pale tongue — the bitter cold and the purgative would deepen the cold. Not for chronic loose stools from Spleen deficiency. It is an acute-phase prescription: once the accumulation is discharged and the coating has thinned, the formula is stopped rather than continued, because sustained Da Huang with bitter cold herbs wears out the Stomach qi.

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

Pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnancy in its classical form. Da Huang is a purgative that stimulates the bowel and, with the other downward-moving herbs here, is traditionally prohibited during pregnancy and avoided while breastfeeding. If damp-heat accumulation occurs during pregnancy it must be managed by a practitioner with a different, gentler prescription.

Related Formulas

Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan木香槟榔丸

References

Source Nei Wai Shang Bian Huo Lun 《内外伤辨惑论》 · Jin

「治伤湿热之物，不得施化，而作痞满，闷乱不安。」
— 《内外伤辨惑论》(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.