Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang, Pinellia, Atractylodes and Gastrodia Decoction, is those three with Ju Hong, Fu Ling, Gan Cao, Sheng Jiang and Da Zao. The catalogue classes it among the formulas that transform Phlegm and extinguish Wind.

Herb

Amount

4.5 g

3 g

9 g

3 g

3 g

1.5 g

1 g

2 g

Actions and indications

Dries Damp and transforms Phlegm

Wind-Phlegm, or Damp-Phlegm, rising to disturb the head on a base of Spleen deficiency
A stifling feeling in the chest, with copious sputum or a sense of Phlegm blocking the throat
Nausea, vomiting and excess salivation

Extinguishes Wind and soothes the Liver

Dizziness or vertigo, which may be severe, with the room spinning and worse on moving the head
Headaches that may keep recurring, with a heavy, distended or wrapped feeling in the head
Spots before the eyes and blocked sinuses
Sudden loss of consciousness with lockjaw
Palpitations or restlessness when the Wind-Phlegm disturbance is marked

Strengthens the Spleen

Poor appetite, tiredness, heaviness or lethargy, and abdominal distension
Weak hands and feet, cold feet, and possibly edema
An overwhelming urge to sleep after eating
Tongue normal, or swollen with tooth marks, with a white greasy or sticky coat; pulse wiry and slippery, or soft and slippery

Modern uses

Meniere's disease
Aural vertigo
Benign positional vertigo
Vestibular neuritis
Neurotic vertigo
Dizziness
Vertigo
Hypotension with headache, vertigo
Hypertension with digestive weakness
Recurrent headaches
Tension headache
Migraine
Unilateral pain
Tinnitus
Deafness
Otitis media
Otitis externa
Otorrhea
Ear pain
Sinusitis
Sore throat
Tubercular meningitis
Cerebellitis
Cerebrovascular accident
Stroke
Cerebral arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis
Alzheimer's disease
Parkinson's disease
Epilepsy
Epileptic seizures in pregnancy
Irritability during pregnancy
Facial paralysis
Aphasia
Numbness
Paresthesia
Weak hands and feet
Painful obstruction
Periarthritis of the shoulder
One-sided perspiration
Palpitations
Asthma
Hiccups
Nausea/Vomiting
Gastroatonia
Gastroptosis
Chronic gastroenteritis
Abdominal fullness and distention
Food allergy
Water poisoning
Compulsive sleeping after eating
Edema
Fatigue

Modifications

Severe headache: + man jing zi, + bai ji li, + zhi bai fu zi, + bai zhi

Severe vertigo: + jiang can, + dan nan xing

Weakness: + dang shen, + huang qi

Tuberculous meningitis, taken for three months or more: + quan xie, + di long, + jiang can

Heavy Phlegm buildup with coma, headache and cold limbs: + huang bai, + cang zhu, + huang qi, + ren shen, + ze xie, + mai ya, + shen qu

Liver Yang Rising: + gou teng, + dai zhe shi

More severe Phlegm-Dampness: + ze xie, + gui zhi

Wind-Cold headache: + fang feng, + qiang huo

Blood-deficient headache: + dang gui, + chuan xiong

Headache and dizziness from Cold and Phlegm (combined with Zhen Wu Tang)

Migraine headache: + man jing zi, + chuan xiong

Dizziness and vertigo from Qi deficiency: + ren shen, + huang qi, + dang shen

Show all 93 modifications

Severe dizziness from Liver excess: + jiang can, + gou teng, + dan nan xing
Sinusitis or rhinitis: + xin yi hua
Cerebral arteriosclerosis: + gou teng
Sinusitis: + cang er zi, + bai zhi, + yan hu suo, + huang qi, + xi xin, + huang qin, + yu xing cao, + chuan xiong, + lian qiao, + dan shen, + huai niu xi, + bai shao, + huo xiang, − fu ling, − ju hong
Stroke with lockjaw, sudden unconsciousness and excess salivation: + lu lu tong, + dan nan xing, + shi chang pu, − gan cao, − da zao
To strengthen the formula's effect: + shen qu, + mai ya, + ze xie, + ren shen, + huang qi, + gan jiang, + huang bai
Headache: + bai zhi, + zhi bai fu zi
Indigestion: + shan zha
Shoulder and neck tension: + ge gen
Phlegm-Heat signs: + tian zhu huang
Abdominal pain: + bing lang, + mu xiang
Fibromyalgia from Phlegm blocking the channels (combined with Dang Gui Nian Tong Tang)
Meniere's disease: + ze xie, + zhu ru, + jiang can
Meniere's disease with repeated vomiting and nausea: + ze xie, + zhu ru, + jiang can, + dai zhe shi, + xuan fu hua
Meniere's disease with repeated vomiting and nausea (alternative): + ze xie, + shi chang pu, + sha ren, + dai zhe shi, + dan shen, − ju hong, − gan cao
Loud tinnitus in Meniere's disease: + ze xie, + zhu ru, + jiang can, + shi chang pu, + hu tao ren
Loud tinnitus in Meniere's disease (alternative): + ze xie, + dai zhe shi, + hou po, + chai hu, + zhu ru, − ju hong, − gan cao, − sheng jiang, − da zao
Meniere's disease, dizziness severe: + ze xie, + zhu ru, + jiang can, + long gu, + mu li
Insomnia in Meniere's disease: + ze xie, + shi chang pu, + sha ren, + dai zhe shi, + dan shen, + long chi, + ye jiao teng, − ju hong, − gan cao
Meniere's disease, Blood deficient: + ze xie, + shi chang pu, + sha ren, + dai zhe shi, + dan shen, + dang gui, + huang qi, − ju hong, − gan cao
Tension headache with chest and epigastric fullness, nausea and vomiting: + gua lou pi, + zhu ru
Meniere's disease with marked irritability and insomnia: + ze xie, + dai zhe shi, + hou po, + chai hu, + zhu ru, + zhi zi, + bai shao, + suan zao ren, − ju hong, − gan cao, − sheng jiang, − da zao
Tension headache with dull complexion, palpitations and a thin, weak pulse: + dang gui, + chuan xiong, + ye jiao teng, + ji xue teng, − zhi ban xia
Cerebellitis with profuse Phlegm: + gou teng, + shi chang pu, + dan nan xing, + yuan zhi, − gan cao, − da zao
Meniere's disease with stagnant Liver-Gallbladder Heat: + ze xie, + dai zhe shi, + hou po, + chai hu, + zhu ru, + huang qin, + long dan cao, + zhen zhu mu, − ju hong, − gan cao, − sheng jiang, − da zao
Dizziness and vertigo: + zi su ye, + ze xie
Dizziness and vertigo: alternatively combine with Wen Dan Tang
Tension headache with numbness of the head: + shi chang pu, + gou teng
Tension headache with vertigo, dizziness and ringing ears: + gou teng, + huang qin, + chai hu
Meniere's disease, marked Yin deficiency: + ze xie, + dai zhe shi, + hou po, + chai hu, + zhu ru, + mo han lian, + zhi he shou wu, + shi hu, − ju hong, − gan cao, − sheng jiang, − da zao
Cerebellitis: + gou teng, + shi chang pu, − gan cao, − da zao
Cerebellitis with trouble walking: + gou teng, + shi chang pu, + di long, + quan xie, − gan cao, − da zao
Wind-Phlegm Meniere's disease: + gou teng, + man jing zi, − tian ma
Meniere's disease, marked Yin and Blood deficiency: + ze xie, + dai zhe shi, + hou po, + chai hu, + zhu ru, + dang shen, + dang gui, + chuan xiong, + long yan rou, − ju hong, − sheng jiang, − da zao
Wind-Phlegm Meniere's disease with frequent vomiting: + gou teng, + man jing zi, + dai zhe shi, + zhu ru, − tian ma
Wind-Phlegm Meniere's disease with Damp obstruction and stagnant Qi: + gou teng, + man jing zi, + bai dou kou, + sha ren, − tian ma
Wind-Phlegm Meniere's disease, Dampness obstructing Spleen Yang: + gou teng, + man jing zi, + huo xiang, + pei lan, + shi chang pu, − tian ma
Wind-Phlegm Meniere's disease, Dampness blocking the orifices: + gou teng, + man jing zi, + cong bai, + yu jin, + shi chang pu, − tian ma
Wind-Phlegm Meniere's disease, Dampness blocking Qi and turning to Heat: + gou teng, + man jing zi, + huang lian, + zhu ru, − tian ma
Wind-Phlegm Meniere's disease, Phlegm-Damp harming Spleen Yang: + gou teng, + man jing zi, + gan jiang, + bai dou kou, − tian ma
Wind-Phlegm Meniere's disease, Phlegm disturbing Heart Yang: + gou teng, + man jing zi, + shi chang pu, − tian ma
Wind-Phlegm Meniere's disease with copious Phlegm: + gou teng, + man jing zi, + ze xie, + zhi tian nan xing, − tian ma
Wind-Phlegm Meniere's disease, dizziness severe: + gou teng, + man jing zi, + jiang can, + dan nan xing
Wind-Phlegm Meniere's disease, marked Qi deficiency: + gou teng, + man jing zi, + huang qi, + dang shen, − tian ma
Facial paralysis: + qiang huo, + bai jie zi, + hong hua, + quan xie, + wu gong
Vertigo and dizziness with frontal headache: + bai zhi
Vertigo and dizziness with nausea: + tian ma
Vertigo and dizziness with poor appetite and epigastric fullness: + bai dou kou, + sha ren
Vertigo and dizziness, adding one or two of these: + dai zhe shi, + xuan fu hua, + jiang can, + dan nan xing
Hypertension, Wind prominent: + yi yi ren, + gou teng, + shi chang pu, + jiang can, − sheng jiang, − da zao
Vertigo and dizziness, tongue coat very wet and greasy (combined with Wu Ling San)
Phlegm-Damp migraine, Spleen markedly deficient: + chuan xiong, + bai zhi, + zhi bai fu zi, + huang qi, + dang shen, − ju hong
Vertigo and dizziness with loud, unrelenting tinnitus: + shi chang pu
Hypertension: + yi yi ren
Hypertension with Blood stagnation: + yi yi ren, + dan shen, + chuan xiong
Long-standing Phlegm-Damp migraine that has entered the collaterals: + chuan xiong, + bai zhi, + zhi bai fu zi, + quan xie, + wu gong, − ju hong
Phlegm-Damp migraine: + chuan xiong, + bai zhi, + zhi bai fu zi, − ju hong
Phlegm-Damp migraine, Dampness heavier: + chuan xiong, + bai zhi, + zhi bai fu zi, + cang zhu, + ze xie, − ju hong
Phlegm-Damp migraine with vomiting of thin, clear Phlegm: + chuan xiong, + bai zhi, + zhi bai fu zi, + gui zhi, + chen pi, + gan jiang, − ju hong
Phlegm-Damp migraine, Phlegm turning into Heat: + chuan xiong, + bai zhi, + zhi bai fu zi, + huang qin, + dan nan xing, − ju hong
Severe headache with cold limbs and chilliness: + zhi bai fu zi, + xi xin, + wu zhu yu, + gan jiang
Hypertension, palpitations, insomnia: + suan zao ren, + zhi mu
Headache with marked Spleen Qi deficiency: + zhi bai fu zi, + huang qi, + dang shen
Shoulder pain: + chen pi, + bai jie zi, + qing pi, + sang zhi, + qiang huo, − ju hong
Hypertension with numb limbs: + gou teng, + shi chang pu
Swollen, painful shoulder: + chen pi, + bai jie zi, + qing pi, + sang zhi, + qiang huo, + tong cao, + gui zhi, − ju hong
Shoulder pain, arm sore or numb: + chen pi, + bai jie zi, + qing pi, + sang zhi, + qiang huo, + shi chang pu, + yuan zhi, − ju hong
Shoulder pain, Stomach full: + chen pi, + bai jie zi, + qing pi, + sang zhi, + qiang huo, + mu xiang, + dan nan xing, − ju hong
Shoulder pain at night: + chen pi, + bai jie zi, + qing pi, + sang zhi, + qiang huo, + dang gui, + tao ren, + shui zhi, − ju hong
One-sided pain: + qiang huo
One-sided pain with dizziness: + qiang huo, + man jing zi, + chuan xiong
One-sided pain with swollen limbs: + qiang huo, + tong cao, + gui zhi
One-sided pain with sore, numb limbs: + qiang huo, + shi chang pu, + yuan zhi
One-sided pain with vomiting and nausea: + qiang huo, + mu xiang, + dan nan xing
One-sided pain with limb paralysis: + qiang huo, + dang gui, + tao ren, + shui zhi
A headache with dizziness: + man jing zi, + shi chang pu
Frontal headache with runny nose, white discharge and lost sense of smell: + man jing zi, + gao ben, + cang zhu
A headache with Phlegm: + man jing zi, + chen pi, + bai jie zi
Headache with poor appetite: + man jing zi, + cang zhu, + yu jin
Headache, Stomach feels full: + man jing zi, + hou po
Headache with vomiting or nausea: + man jing zi, + zhu ru, + zhi shi

Cautions

contraindication Dizziness from causes other than Wind-Phlegm, such as Liver Yang rising or Blood deficiency; a red tongue with little coat, a thin wiry pulse, irritability, tinnitus or insomnia point to another mechanism

contraindication Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency

caution Use processed Ban Xia only; the raw herb irritates the throat

caution Because of its Gan Cao, avoid long or high-dose use where there is edema, high blood pressure or low potassium

caution With corticosteroids or diuretics: the licorice (Gan Cao) in it may interact with these medicines

caution Get prompt medical assessment for vertigo that is sudden, severe or worsening, or that brings hearing loss, weakness, double vision or difficulty speaking

pregnancy Use with care in pregnancy and under a qualified practitioner's supervision, given the descending action of Ban Xia

Pinyin

ban xia bai zhu tian ma tang

English Name

Pinellia, Atractylodes Macrocephala, and Gastrodia Decoction

ban xia bai zhu tian ma tang

About ban xia bai zhu tian ma tang

Ingredients

Actions and indications

Dries Damp and transforms Phlegm

Extinguishes Wind and soothes the Liver

Strengthens the Spleen

Modern uses

Symptoms

Modifications

Cautions

Preparation

Names

Classification

Support