Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang: A Simple Guide to a Dampness-Drying, Dizziness-Soothing Herbal Formula
Hongji Medical- Dec 31, 2024
- 4 min read
Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang, or "Pinellia, Atractylodes, and Gastrodia Decoction," is a classic Chinese herbal formula from Medical Enlightenment. Renowned for treating dizziness caused by wind and phlegm, this blend dries dampness, clears mucus, calms the liver, and soothes internal "wind" (spasms or vertigo).
It’s especially effective for symptoms tied to spleen dampness and phlegm buildup, offering relief for a range of modern ailments.
What’s in Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang?
This formula combines eight herbs, each targeting dampness, phlegm, or wind:
Pinellia (Ban Xia): Warm and spicy, it dries dampness, clears phlegm, and stops nausea or vomiting.
Gastrodia (Tian Ma): Sweet and neutral, it calms the liver, stops dizziness, and tames internal wind.
Atractylodes (Bai Zhu): Strengthens the spleen to reduce excess phlegm and dampness.
Poria (Fu Ling): Mild and sweet, it boosts spleen function and drains dampness alongside atractylodes.
Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi): Bitter and warm, it regulates qi, clears phlegm, and promotes smooth energy flow.
Licorice (Gan Cao): Sweet, it harmonizes the formula and protects the stomach.
Ginger (Sheng Jiang): Warms the stomach and stops vomiting.
Jujube (Da Zao): Nourishes qi and balances the spleen and stomach.
These herbs are typically boiled into a tea, delivering a potent remedy for phlegm-related dizziness.
How Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang Works
The formula targets two key issues: drying dampness and calming wind. Its main actions are:
Drying Dampness and Clearing Phlegm: Pinellia, atractylodes, poria, and tangerine peel reduce mucus and dampness, easing chest tightness and nausea.
Calming the Liver and Stopping Wind: Gastrodia soothes liver-related dizziness, vertigo, or spasms.
Supporting the Spleen and Stomach: Licorice, ginger, and jujube strengthen digestion to prevent phlegm buildup.
It’s ideal for symptoms like:
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or vertigo
Chest tightness, nausea, or vomiting
Headaches, migraines, or trigeminal neuralgia
Loss of appetite, bloating, or belching
Heavy limbs, irritability, or excessive phlegm
Slippery or stringy pulse, white greasy tongue coating
Modern Uses and Benefits
Modern research highlights the formula’s versatility:
Improves Brain Circulation: Dilates blood vessels, reducing cerebral resistance and easing dizziness or headaches.
Controls Nausea: Pinellia and ginger calm vomiting and nausea.
Promotes Urination: Clears inner ear fluid buildup (labyrinthal edema), aiding balance.
Regulates Blood Pressure: Stabilizes high or low blood pressure.
Calms Nerves: Gastrodia’s sedative effects reduce anxiety and insomnia.
Fights Inflammation: Reduces pain and swelling from inflammatory conditions.
Boosts Immunity: Enhances the body’s defenses against infections.
It’s used for conditions like:
High or low blood pressure
Meniere’s disease, stroke, or neurasthenia
Trigeminal neuralgia, Tourette’s syndrome, or narcolepsy
Heart issues (e.g., endocarditis, heart failure)
Kidney or hypertensive diseases
Dietary Support
To enhance the formula’s effects, try these foods:
Barley Porridge: Strengthens the spleen and reduces dampness.
Mung Bean Soup: Clears heat and promotes urination.
Lotus Seed and Lily Soup: Calms the mind and supports the spleen.
Red Date and Goji Berry Tea: Boosts qi, nourishes blood, and soothes nerves.
These complement the decoction’s dampness-clearing and calming properties.
Things to Keep in Mind
Short-Term Use: This potent formula shouldn’t be used long-term to avoid over-drying.
Not for Spleen or Stomach Weakness: Its bitter, cold herbs may harm those with weak digestion or yin deficiency.
Professional Guidance: Consult a TCM practitioner for proper dosing and safety.
Why Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang Matters
Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang is a powerful remedy, blending pinellia, gastrodia, and atractylodes to clear phlegm, soothe dizziness, and restore balance. From ancient texts to modern clinics, it tackles vertigo, headaches, and more, backed by science and tradition. Paired with supportive foods and used under expert guidance, this formula shines as a beacon of TCM’s wisdom, helping you feel lighter, clearer, and healthier.
Chinese Name | 半夏白朮天麻湯 |
Phonetic | Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang |
English Name | Pinellia, Atractylodes Macrocephala and Gastrodia Decoction |
Classification | Phlegm-expelling formulas |
Source | 《Medical Revelations》Yi Xue Xin Wu《醫學心悟》 |
Combination | Pinelliae Rhizoma (Ban Xia) 1.5 qian (4.5g), Gastrodiae Rhizoma (Tian Ma) 1 qian (3g), Poria (Fu Ling) 1 qian (3g), Citri Expocarpium Rubrum (Ju Hong) 1 qian (3g), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Bai Zhu) 3 qian (9g), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gan Cao) 5 fen (1.5g), Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Sheng Jiang) 1 piece, Jujubae Fructus (Da Zao) 2 pieces |
Method | Prepare as a decoction. |
Action | Dries dampness and dissolves phlegm, calms the liver and extinguishes wind. |
Indication | Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang is designed to treat the pattern of wind-phlegm harassing the upper body. Symptoms include dizziness, headache, pi and oppression in the chest and diaphragm, nausea, and vomiting. The tongue coating is greasy and white. The pulse is wiry and slippery. |
Pathogenesis | Spleen deficiency easily leads to phlegm or damp production. Phlegm-dampness may travel upward and harass the body along with internal liver wind causing various disorders. When it harasses the brain, headache and dizziness occur. When it blocks the center jiao disorders including chest and diaphragm pi and oppression, nausea and vomiting will appear. The white and greasy tongue coating indicates internal phlegm-turbidity. The wiry and slippery pulse indicates wind-phlegm. The treatment principle is to dissolve phlegm wind and extinguish wind, reinforce the spleen and dispel dampness. |
Application | 1. Essential pattern differentiation Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang is a representative formula used to treat dizziness and headache caused by wind and phlegm. This clinical pattern is marked by dizziness and headache, white and greasy tongue coating, wiry and slippery pulse. 2. Modern applications This formula is often used to treat patterns of wind–phlegm harassing the upper body such as aural vertigo, hypertension, neurological dizziness, seizures, and facial paralysis. 3. Cautions and contraindications This formula is not appropriate for dizziness caused by yin deficiency and yang hyperactivity or insufficiency of qi and blood. |
Remark | Cheon-ma (Gastrodia elata) is listed as "Vulnerable" in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Also, it is listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II. Its trade is allowed but subject to licensing controls. |
