Stomach Calming Combination - Ping Wei San

Formula Type

Extract

TCM Pattern

The patient for whom this formula is suited is one who is overwhelmed by damp. The key symptoms of this pattern are distention and fullness in the epigastrium and abdomen, and a thick, white, and greasy tongue fur. Since the formula does not substantially supplement, but instead centers its efforts on ridding the central burner of damp, it must be combined with center-supplementing formulas like Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen) to treat situations where there is substantial spleen-stomach vacuity as well as damp encumbrance. Thus, when used alone, this formula is primarily for acute patterns where pathogenic damp has not yet damaged the spleen-stomach. So, while Ping Wei San addresses situations where there are digestive issues, they are not chronic and the patient does not portray the pale complexion, weak pulse or chronic nature seen in severe central-burner vacuity.

Therapeutic Functions

Fortifies the spleen, regulates stomach qi, harmonizes the middle burner, disinhibits damp and transforms accumulation.*

Clinical Indications

Where damp stagnation is the underlying cause, this formula can be applied to disorders such as chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, chronic colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal obstruction, diarrhea, infectious hepatitis, amenorrhea, PMS, inflammation of the cervix and weeping eczema.

Symptoms & Signs

This formula addresses damp stagnation in the central burner. This pattern is characterized by abdominal distention, lack of appetite, dulled taste sense, nausea, vomiting, belching, acid regurgitation, heaviness of the limbs, fatigue with a desire to sleep, loose stools and clouded thinking.

Precautions

This formula is warm and drying. It must be used with caution in patients who exhibit signs of yin-blood vacuity. Because the herbs in this formula have a decidedly downward movement, this formula is contraindicated for pregnant women unless it is prescribed by a professional health care practitioner.

Pulse Quality

Moderate, slippery

Tongue Appearance

Pale with a thick, white, greasy fur