Liang Fu Wan, Galangal and Cyperus Pill, pairs Gao Liang Jiang with Xiang Fu. The catalogue classes it among the formulas that promote the movement of Qi, and records it as warming the Middle Jiao, dispelling Cold and moving Qi to stop pain.

Herb

Amount

gao liang jiang

—

xiang fu

—

Actions and indications

Warms the Middle Jiao and dispels Cold

Cold lodged in the Stomach, or Cold accumulating alongside Liver Qi stagnation
Sudden, gripping or cramping pain in the epigastrium or upper abdomen that eases with warmth and pressure and worsens with cold weather, food or drink
No thirst, a liking for warm drinks and a general dislike of cold

Moves Qi and stops pain

Liver Qi invading the Stomach with epigastric pain and vomiting
Stuffiness in the chest, pain under the ribs, distension, belching and acid regurgitation
Menstrual cramps from Cold and stagnation that ease with warmth
Tongue pink with a white coat; pulse wiry and tight, or deep and slow

Modern uses

Chronic gastritis
Functional gastritis
Peptic ulcer
Gastric ulcer
Duodenal ulcer
Acid reflux aggravated by cold weather or cold food
Gastralgia
Gastrectasis
Gastroenteritis
Stomach flu
Enteritis
Irritable bowel syndrome
Indigestion
Anorexia
Nausea and vomiting
Hiccups
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Dysmenorrhea, including primary dysmenorrhea

Modifications

Cold is the stronger element: + gao liang jiang, + gan jiang, + wu zhu yu

Qi stagnation is the stronger element: + xiang fu, + wu yao, + mu xiang

Menstrual pain: + dang gui, + chuan xiong

Menstrual pain, alternative choice: + xiang fu, + qing pi, + chen xiang, + mu xiang

Peptic ulcer from Deficiency Cold (combined with Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang)

Peptic ulcer from Deficiency Cold, alternative choice: + mu xiang, + chen pi

Pathogenic Cold invading the Stomach (combined with Zheng Qi Tian Xiang San)

Cold invading the Stomach with marked cramping (combined with Zheng Qi Tian Xiang San): + bai shao, + zhi gan cao

Cold invading the Stomach with marked pain (combined with Zheng Qi Tian Xiang San): + yan hu suo

Cold invading the Stomach with intense Cold (combined with Zheng Qi Tian Xiang San): + gui zhi, + zhi fu zi

Cold invading the Stomach with abdominal pain (combined with Zheng Qi Tian Xiang San): + xiao hui xiang, + rou gui

Food stagnation: + zhi shi, + shen qu, + ji nei jin

Show all 17 modifications

Nausea: + sheng jiang, + zhi ban xia
Exterior Wind-Cold-Damp with fever, chills, aching muscles, heaviness and lethargy: + zi su ye, + sheng jiang
Severe Stomach Cold (combined with Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang)
Severe Stomach Cold, alternative: set this formula aside and use Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Tang
Adjusting the ratio: more Gao Liang Jiang when Cold dominates, more Xiang Fu when stagnation and distension dominate

Cautions

contraindication Heat patterns, including abdominal or epigastric pain from Stomach or Liver Fire with burning pain, thirst, a red tongue and yellow coat

contraindication Depleted Body Fluids

contraindication Any bleeding

contraindication A dark red tongue

caution Yin deficiency or a dry constitution: both herbs are acrid and warm and can dry the fluids further

caution Meant for the acute pain of Cold and Qi stagnation, not as a long-term tonic; an underlying deficiency needs a different formula

pregnancy Contraindicated in pregnancy; Xiang Fu moves Qi and is traditionally used with care, so only under professional guidance

Pinyin

liang fu wan

English Name

Galangal and Cyperus Pill

liang fu wan

About liang fu wan

Ingredients

Actions and indications

Warms the Middle Jiao and dispels Cold

Moves Qi and stops pain

Modern uses

Symptoms

Modifications

Cautions

Preparation

Names

Classification