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Officinal Magnolia Bark Three Agents Decoction
厚朴三物汤 〔厚朴三物湯〕hòu pò sān wù tāng
Source: Jīn Guì Yào Lüè 金匮要略
Ingredients:
- Hòu pò (厚朴 Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, officinal magnolia bark) 5g
- Dà huáng (大黄 Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, rhubarb) (add at end) 2.5g
- Zhǐ shí (枳实 Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, unripe bitter orange) 2.5g
Action: Moves qì and disperses distension; frees the stool and eliminates accumulations.
Indication: Qì stagnation with impaired conveyance and transformation, manifesting in the form of abdominal fullness, distension, and tenderness, and constipation. Tongue fur: Yellow and slimy. Pulse: Sunken and stringlike or sunken, rough, and forceful.
Category:
Method: Decoct with water.
Rationale: Hòu pò is a warm, bitter, and acrid agent that disperses fullness, moves qì, and frees the stool. It is the sovereign agent. Dà huáng frees the stool. Zhǐ shí breaks qì. This formula has the same ingredients as Xiǎo chéng qì tāng (小承气汤 Minor Qì-Coordinating Decoction), but since the sovereign agent and proportions are different, this decoction has a different effect. While Xiǎo chéng qì tāng (小承气汤 Minor Qì-Coordinating Decoction)has Dà huáng as the sovereign, and its action is to drain and precipitate heat, the present formula has Hòu pò as the sovereign agent and its purpose is to move qì and eliminate fullness.
Similar: Dà chéng qì tāng (大承气汤 Major Qì-Coordinating Decoction)
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