Xiao Jian Zhong Tang (Minor Construct the Middle Decoction)
Warming the Middle Jiao
- Yi Tang
- Gui Zhi
- Bai Shao Yao
- Zhi Gan Cao
- Sheng Jiang
- Da Zao
- Yi Tang (30g) is warm and moist. Tonifies Sp Qi and Yin, warms the MJ, and moderates spasms to relieve pain.
- Gui Zhi is pungent and warm. Warms the MJ, disperses cold and alleviates pain. Combined, the pungent and sweet herbs generate Yang.
- Bai Shao and Zhi Gan Cao combined (sour and sweet) generate Yin, moderate spasms to alleviate pain.
- Sheng Jiang and Da Zao harmonize the Ying and Wei Qi.
Function: Warms and Tonifies the MJ and moderates spasmodic abdominal pain.
Indications:
- Spasmodic abdominal pain is due to consumptive deficiency (internal injury due to consumption, MJ deficiency cold, Lv overacting on Spleen).
- Palpitation due to consumptive deficiency (Sp deficiency damaging the heart)
- Low-grade fever due to consumptive deficiency (Sp deficiency cold causing Qi and Blood deficiency, disharmony of Ying and Wei Qi).
Symptoms:
- Intermittent, spasmodic abdominal pain that is relieved by warmth and pressure.
- Palpitation with vacant sensation, upset and lusterless complexion.
- Sore extremities with non-specific discomfort, hands and feet low-grade heat, dry mouth and throat.
Tongue: Pale, white coating
Pulse: Thready and wiry
Clinical Applications:
- This is the formula used for warming the MJ, tonifying deficiency, moderating the spasmodic abdominal pain, also for harmonizing the Yin and Yang, softening the Liver, and regulating the Spleen.
- The key symptoms are spasmodic abdominal pain that is relieved by warmth and pressure, palpitation, low-grade fever, lusterless complexion, pale tongue, deep and weak, or deficient and wiry pulse.
- For cases with severe Qi deficiency marked by spontaneous sweating, fatigue, or intermittent low grade fever, add Huang Qi (Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang) and Dang Shen.
- For cases with blood deficiency marked by epigastric and abdominal cold pain, or postpartum abdominal pain, or dysmennorrhea due to deficient cold, add Dang Gui (Dang Gui Jian Zhong Tang), Shu Di Huang and E Jiao.
- Currently used for peptic ulcer, chronic hepatitis, neurasthenia, aplastic anemia, and functional fever due to MJ deficiency with disharmony of Yin and Yang.
Cautions and Contraindications: Contraindicated in cases with Yin deficiency and vigorous fire, or cases with vomiting, or fullness and distention of epigastrium or abdomen.