Ginseng & Atractylodes Combination - Shen Ling Bai Zhu San

Formula Type

Extract & Concentrate

TCM Pattern

This formula treats spleen-vacuity digestive disorders such as chronic diarrhea, loose stools and lack of appetite and water path disorders such as water swelling and water accumulation (as in the lung) and lung vacuity disorders such as chronic cough. It is also a good constitutional formula for patients who present with spleen vacuity and damp accumulation.

Therapeutic Functions

Boosts qi, fortifies the spleen, percolates damp and arrests diarrhea.

Clinical Indications

Chronic gastritis and enteritis, gastrointestinal side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic hepatitis, chronic bronchitis, chronic nephritis, various forms of anemia, diabetes and malabsorption syndromes

Symptoms & Signs

The patient for whom this formula is appropriate presents with signs of central burner vacuity and damp encum­brance. This leads to disruption of the transforming and transporting function of the spleen and gives rise to symptoms that mostly lie in the digestive system, but can extend to include fluid metabolism disorders (water swelling) and disorders related to lung vacuity (chronic cough).

Precautions

Not appropriate for most heat conditions or those who suffer from yin vacuity.

Pulse Quality

Fine and vacuous or moderate.

Tongue Appearance

Pale with a white fur.