Dui-Yao Chapter 7 Herb Pairings that Descend Stomach Rebellious Qi

Copyright by Dr. Eric Hsiao

Zhu Ru Ban Xia

Sweet, slightly cold (GB, LU, ST) Acrid, warm, toxic (LU, SP, ST)

Clears heat and transforms phlegm-heat Dries dampness, transforms phlegm and
descends rebellious qi
Clears heat and stops vomiting Dissipates nodules and reduces distension
Cools the blood and stops bleeding Harmonizes Middle Jiao and stops vomiting
Commonly Used Dosage
6-10g 6-10g
Combined Properties
Zhu Ru is cool, with the ability to focus on treating vomiting due to heat accumulations and
rebellious Qi Flow. Ban Xia is warming, with the ability to focus on treating vomiting due to
accumulations of Dampness in the middle jiao.
When combined, they mutually reinforce each other. They effectively dry dampness, clear
heat, transform phlegm, harmonize the stomach and stop vomiting.
Major Indications
1. Hiccup, nausea and vomiting due to disharmony and counter-flow of Stomach Qi
2. Vertigo, agitation and insomnia due to phlegm turbidity.
3. Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy due to disharmony of ST, Phlegm-Heat or
Stomach-Heat
Comments
In cases of Middle jiao disharmony, use ginger-processed Ban Xia and ginger stir-fried Zhu Ru
to warm up the middle jiao, dispel cold, and stop vomiting

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 Dui-Yao Chapter 7 Herb Pairings that Descend Stomach Rebellious Qi
Copyright by Dr. Eric Hsiao

Zhu Ru Chen Pi (Ju Pi)

Sweet, slightly cold (GB, LU, ST) Acrid, bitter, warm, aromatic (LU, SP, ST)
Clears heat and transforms phlegm-heat Regulates the Qi , tonifies the Spleen
Clears heat and stops vomiting Dries dampness and transforms phlegm
Cools the blood and stops bleeding Harmonizes the Stomach and stops vomiting
Commonly Used Dosage
6-10g 6-10g
Combined Properties
Zhu Ru focuses on clearing heat, stopping vomiting, descending rebellious qi and dispelling
phlegm. Chen Pi (Ju Pi) is warming and acrid and is able to regulate qi, tonify the Spleen,
harmonize the Stomach and transform phlegm.
When combined, these two herbs simultaneously warm and clear. They effectively
harmonize the middle jiao due to heat-cold accumulation, descend the counter-flow of Qi
and stop vomiting.
Major Indications
1. Nausea, vomiting, epigastric distention and abdominal distention due to SP/ST
Deficiency with Cold and Heat.
2. Nausea and vomiting due to pregnancy.

Comments
To treat nausea and vomiting, identifying whether it is a heat or cold pattern is the first step.
Ding Xiang and Shi Di are used for cold accumulation patterns. In the case of a heat
accumulation pattern, Chen Pi and Zhu Ru should be used.
Resource
Jing Gui Yao Lou-Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang

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 Dui-Yao Chapter 7 Herb Pairings that Descend Stomach Rebellious Qi
Copyright by Dr. Eric Hsiao

Huang Lian Gang Jiang

Bitter, cold (HT, LI, LV, ST) Acrid, hot (HT, LU, SP, ST)
Clears Heat and dries Dampness Warms the middle and expels cold
Drains fire and resolves toxins Rescues devastated yang and expels interior
cold
Clears Heart & Stomach fire Warms the Lung and transforms phlegm
Clears heat and stop bleeding Warms the channel and stops bleeding
Commonly Used Dosage
3-5g 1.5-10g
Combined Properties
One is acrid and frees the flow, while the other is bitter and drains; one is warm and
dissipating, and the other is cold and down bearing.
When these two herbs are combined together, they eliminate cold accumulation and
depressive heat. Together, they drain mixed cold and heat in order to stop vomiting, acid
regurgitation and harmonize the stomach.
Major Indications
1. Vomiting, belching, acid regurgitation, and epigastric pain due to mixture of heat and
cold in the Middle Jiao.
2. Diarrhea and dysentery.
Comments
In the case of predominant heat, one can prescribe a small quantity of Gan Jiang and
a larger quantity of Huang Lian. In the case of predominant cold, one can prescribe a
small quantity of Huang Lian and a large quantity of Gan Jiang. If cold and heat are in
equal proportion, Gang Jiang and Huang Lian should be prescribed equally.
Resource
Shan Han Lun Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang

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 Dui-Yao Chapter 7 Herb Pairings that Descend Stomach Rebellious Qi
Copyright by Dr. Eric Hsiao

Huang Lian Wu Zhu Yu

Bitter, cold (HT, LI, LV,ST) Acrid, bitter, hot, slightly toxic (KD,LV,SP,ST)
Clears Heat and dries Dampness Warms the Middle Jiao, disperses cold,
relieves constraint in the LV channel, and
stops pain
Drains fire and resolves toxins Warms the ST & SP, disperses cold, stops
diarrhea
Clears Heart & Stomach fire Redirects rebellious qi downward and stops
vomiting
Clears heat and stop bleeding Leads fire downward
Commonly Used Dosage
1.5-5g 1.5-5g
Combined Properties
Huang Lian is cold and draining while Wu Zhu Yu is hot and opening. When combined, they
effectively drain LV Fire, harmonize the Stomach, descend reversal, and stop pain, acid
regurgitation and vomiting.
Major Indications
1. Lateral costal pain/distention, acid regurgitation, nausea, belching, clamoring
stomach, bitter taste in the mouth and red tongue body covered with yellow
coating, wiry and rapid pulse due to LV Fire attacking ST.
2. Diarrhea and dysentery due to Damp-Heat.
3. For acute or chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Comments
As a chief herb, Huang Lian is able to treat ST heat, vomiting and acid regurgitation
due to LV/ST disharmony as well as drain fire from the LV channel. As a messenger,
Wu Zhu Yu guides the action of Huang Lian towards the LV, reinforces the action of
Huang Lian to treat vomiting and acid regurgitation as well as draining fire from the
LV channel.
Traditionally this combination is used to treat LV/ST Disharmony causing nausea,
vomiting and acid regurgitation. In this case, Huang Lian should be used in larger
quantity than Wu Zhu Yu.
This combination can also be used in patterns where cold and heat are mixed. If heat
is more prevalent, use Huang Lian in a larger dosage. If cold is more prevalent, use
Wu Zhu Yu in a larger dose. If cold and heat are in equal proportions, the quantities of
both medicinals should be equal.
Resource
Dan Xi Xing Fa- Zuo Jin Wan (Huang Lian : Wu Zhu Yu= 6:1 ratio) for LV Fire attacking ST
Tai Ping Shen Hui Ju Fang-Zhu Yu Yuan Fan (1:1 ratio) for Diarrhea and dysentery due to
deficiency cold accumulation pattern
Zhang Jing Yue-Huang Liang Wan (1:1 ratio) for hemorrhoids and associated symptoms with
LV fire
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 Dui-Yao Chapter 7 Herb Pairings that Descend Stomach Rebellious Qi
Copyright by Dr. Eric Hsiao

Xuan Fu Hua Dai Zhe Shi

Bitter, acrid, slightly warm (LV, LU, ST, SP) Bitter, cold (HT, LV, PC)
Redirects qi downward and expels phlegm Calms the Liver, anchors the floating yang
and clears Liver fire
Stops vomiting and calms rebellion Directs Qi downward

Cools the blood and stops bleeding

Combined properties
One is lightweight with an acrid taste, while the other is a heavy substance that is bitter &
cold. When combined, one is dispersing and the other is descending. This combination can
increase the function of calming rebellious qi, lowering blood pressure, stopping wheezing,
dispelling phlegm, and eliminating abdomen distension.
Major Indications
1. Nausea, vomiting and hiccup due to turbid phlegm stagnation in diaphragm area.
2. Coughing and wheezing with phlegm, nosebleed and hematemesis.
3. Hypertension.

Comments
This combination can be used for esophageal spasm or asthma and COPD (excess pattern).
Resource
Shan Han Lun-Xuan Fu Hua Dai Zhe Shi Tang