Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan, Aucklandia and Betel Nut Pill, is recorded as Mu Xiang, Bing Pian, Da Huang, Qian Niu Zi, Qing Pi, Chen Pi, Xiang Fu, E Zhu, Huang Lian and Huang Bai. The catalogue classes it among the formulas that reduce food stagnation.

Herb

Amount

3 g

3 g

9 g

12 g

3 g

3 g

12 g

3 g

3 g

9 g

Actions and indications

Moves Qi and guides out stagnation

Food and Qi stagnation in the Stomach and Intestines that has turned into Damp-Heat
Distension and fullness felt widely and in one area
Pain, fullness and marked distension in the epigastrium and abdomen

Purges accumulation and drains Damp-Heat

Or instead, blocked bowels arising from that obstruction
Dysenteric diarrhoea, red and white, with pus and blood in the stool, a foul smell, and a constant urge with little result
Difficult bowel movements and difficult urination
A bitter mouth
Tongue body normal with a greasy yellow coat; pulse deep and forceful (some sources give slippery and rapid)

Modern uses

Dysentery, including acute bacterial dysentery
Acute enteritis
Gastroenteritis, including acute gastroenteritis
Indigestion
Abdominal pain
Acute abdomen
Abdominal fullness and distension
Constipation
Narrowing (stenosis) of the rectum or colon
Tuberculous peritonitis
Liver cirrhosis with ascites
Chronic nephritis

Modifications

Dysenteric disorders: + bai tou weng, + ku shen, + bai shao, − chen pi, − e zhu, − qian niu zi

Retained food: + shen qu, + shan zha, + lai fu zi

Thick, greasy tongue coat: + cang zhu

Severe obstruction with masses in the abdomen: + dang gui, + mang xiao

Alternative listed after the entry above, with the same herbs removed: + qin pi, + bai tou weng, − chen pi, − e zhu, − qian niu zi

Food stagnation in the abdomen with more distension and Qi stagnation in the chest: + zhi ke

Severe constipation: + mang xiao, + zhi ke, + san leng

Second alternative, again with the same herbs removed: + bai tou weng, + bai shao, − chen pi, − e zhu, − qian niu zi

Accumulated Damp-Heat: + yin chen, + zhi zi

Accumulated Phlegm: + zhi ban xia, + fu ling

Cautions

pregnancy Avoid during pregnancy, since Da Huang, Qian Niu Zi and E Zhu purge strongly and break up Qi

contraindication Deficiency patterns, including a weak Spleen and Stomach, Cold-type accumulation, or a frail or elderly patient, where purging and breaking Qi can further harm digestion

paediatric Give to children only under direct practitioner supervision and at reduced doses, because Qian Niu Zi is toxic

caution A strong purgative for acute excess blockage only: stop once the bowels are working normally and do not use it long term or repeatedly; its main purgative Qian Niu Zi is cold and slightly toxic

Pinyin

mu xiang bing lang wan

English Name

Aucklandia and Betel Nut Pill

mu xiang bing lang wan

About mu xiang bing lang wan

Ingredients

Actions and indications

Moves Qi and guides out stagnation

Purges accumulation and drains Damp-Heat

Modern uses

Symptoms

Modifications

Cautions

Preparation

Names

Classification