Shen Ling Bai Zhu San, Ginseng, Poria and Atractylodes Powder, builds on the Si Jun Zi Tang base with Shan Yao, Bai Bian Dou, Lian Zi, Yi Yi Ren, Sha Ren and Jie Geng. The catalogue classes it among the formulas that tonify Qi.

Herb

Amount

10 g

10 g

10 g

10 g

10 g

7.5 g

5 g

5 g

5 g

5 g

Actions and indications

Augments Qi and strengthens the Spleen

Dampness arising from deficient Spleen Qi
Qi deficiency of the Lungs and Spleen
Atrophy (Wei) syndrome from Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency
Tiredness, weak limbs, weight loss and a pale, wan or sallow face
Poor appetite and indigestion, sometimes with vomiting
Stifling distention of the chest, epigastrium and abdomen
Chills
When Spleen Damp affects the Lungs, a cough bringing up plenty of white or clear sputum

Resolves Dampness and stops diarrhea

Loose stools or watery, long-standing diarrhea with borborygmus
Diarrhea that begins with the period
Edema
Vaginal discharge, including in overweight women
Tongue pale or pale red with a white coat that may be greasy; pulse thin and even, deficient, or moderate and soggy

Modern uses

Chronic diarrhea
Infantile diarrhea
Chronic enteritis
Chronic gastroenteritis
Chronic colitis
Ulcerative colitis
Irritable bowel syndrome
Ulcerative enterophthisis with diarrhea
Intestinal tuberculosis
Proctitis
Chronic gastritis
Duodenal ulcer
Gastroptosis
Dyspepsia
Functional dyspepsia
Indigestion
Abdominal fullness and distention
Nausea and vomiting
Constipation
Malabsorption syndromes
Malnutrition (especially in children)
Failure to thrive in children
Anorexia during convalescence
Severe fatigue during convalescence
Chronic pancreatitis with diarrhea
Chronic hepatitis
Liver cirrhosis
Stomach cancer
Digestive side effects of chemotherapy or radiation
Chronic nephritis
Nephritis
Chronic glomerulonephritis
Proteinuria
Edema
Eyelid edema
Strangury
Diabetes mellitus
Hypothyroidism
Obesity
Gout
Osteoporosis
Anemia
Chronic bronchitis
Cough
Asthma
Dyspnea
Emphysema
COPD
Pulmonary tuberculosis
Colds in elderly people
Rhinitis
Chronic sinusitis
Chronic tonsillitis
Sore throat
Pharyngitis
Chronic pharyngitis
Tongue pain
Tinnitus
Deafness
Keratomalacia
Hordeolum
Optic atrophy
Myasthenia gravis
Multiple sclerosis
Polyneuritis
Acute infectious multiple neuritis
Peripheral neuropathy
Guillain-Barre disease
Acute myelitis
Progressive muscular dystrophy
Progressive myodystrophy
Sequelae of poliomyelitis
Hysterical paralysis
Periodic paralysis
Facial paralysis
Atrophy (Wei) syndrome
Polymyositis/dermatomyositis
Cognitive impairment
Neurasthenia
Myalgic encephalomyelitis
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Post-glandular fever
Epstein-Barr virus syndrome
Fatigue
Weakness
Compromised immune system
Immune deficiency
HIV/AIDS
Candidiasis
Sweating hands and feet
Childhood eczema
Acne
Abnormal vaginal discharge
Cervicitis
Cervical polyps
Irregular menstruation
Amenorrhea
Uterine bleeding
Premenstrual tension

Modifications

General weakness and a stifled chest, coughing up copious watery sputum: + chen pi, + zhi ban xia, + xing ren

Qi stagnation: + chen pi

Lethargy, nausea, flank pain and epigastric focal distention with a dusky yellow tint to skin and eyes (combined with Si Ni San)

Fever after childbirth with spontaneous sweating (combined with Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang)

Diabetes mellitus: + huang qi, + wu wei zi, + ji nei jin

To strengthen its Spleen-benefiting, Damp-resolving action: + chen pi

Abdominal pain from Interior Cold: + gan jiang, + rou gui

Poor appetite: + shan zha, + shen qu, + mai ya

Nutritional impairment in children: + ji nei jin, − jie geng

Spleen deficiency signs with chronic proteinuria and swollen legs: + huang qi

Damp-Heat with loose stools: + huang lian, + che qian zi, + ze xie

Accumulated Phlegm: + zhi ban xia, + chen pi

Show all 106 modifications

Persistent diarrhea: + qian shi, + mu xiang
Frequent urination: + yi zhi ren
Food stagnation with vomiting and diarrhea (combined with Ping Wei San)
Indigestion in children: + shan zha, + shen qu, + mai ya
Vomiting: − zhi gan cao, − jie geng
Abdominal fullness from Damp and Qi stagnating: + bing lang, − zhi gan cao
Blocked nose with chronic rhinitis or sinusitis: + shi chang pu, + zhi gan cao
Chronic rhinitis or sinusitis with copious sticky white Phlegm that will not clear: + shi chang pu, + zhi gan cao, + zhi ban xia, + chen pi
Phlegm-Heat in chronic rhinitis or sinusitis, or congestion that is severe or brought on by trigger foods: + shi chang pu, + zhi gan cao, + huo xiang, + xia ku cao, + cang er zi, + xin yi hua
Chronic rhinitis or sinusitis, other option: + shi chang pu, + zhi gan cao
Spleen Qi deficiency with nasal congestion and sinusitis (combined with Liu Jun Zi Tang): + huang qi, + cang er zi, + xi xin
Stronger effect: + huang qi, + ze xie
Severe nasal congestion: + huang qi, + ze xie, + xin yi hua, + bai zhi
Fibromyalgia from Damp stagnation blocking the channels (combined with Yan Nian Ban Xia Tang and San Bi Tang)
Fibromyalgia from Spleen and Kidney deficiency (combined with Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang)
Obesity, diarrhea, slimy mouth: + shan zha, + he ye, − sha ren, − jie geng
Option: combine with Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
Option: combine with Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Acne: + hai zao
Option: use together with Ming Mu Di Huang Tang #2
Chronic rhinitis: + huo xiang, + pei lan
Hordeolum: + chen pi, + fang feng, + dang gui, + jing jie, + lian qiao, + jin yin hua, − zhi gan cao, − bai bian dou, − lian zi, − sha ren, − jie geng
Hordeolum with dyspepsia: + chen pi, + fang feng, + dang gui, + jing jie, + lian qiao, + jin yin hua, + shen qu, + shan zha, + mai ya, + ji nei jin, − zhi gan cao, − bai bian dou, − lian zi, − sha ren, − jie geng
Hordeolum with Heat: + chen pi, + fang feng, + dang gui, + jing jie, + lian qiao, + jin yin hua, + zhi mu, + huang qin, − zhi gan cao, − bai bian dou, − lian zi, − sha ren, − jie geng
Severe Dampness or accumulated Phlegm: + cang zhu, + hou po
Severe Dampness or accumulated Phlegm, alternatively combined with Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Retained fluid, puffy eyes or edema: + fu ling, + ze xie, + che qian zi
Spleen Yang deficiency signs: + zhi fu zi, + pao jiang
Liver Qi stagnation with a deficient Spleen: + chai hu, + bai shao
Spleen Yang deficiency, alternatively combined with Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan
Wei Qi deficiency: + zhì huáng qí, + wu wei zi
Chronic, stubborn diarrhea: + qian shi, + wei he zi
Food stagnation: + shan zha, + chao mai ya, + chao shen qu
Frequent diarrhea, rectal prolapse or hemorrhoids: + zhì huáng qí, + chai hu, + sheng ma
Intestinal candidiasis: + bai zhi, + zi su ye, + bo he
Frequent diarrhea, prolapse or hemorrhoids, alternatively combined with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Giardia: + qing hao, + da suan
Dysentery with anorexia: + gan jiang, + rou gui, + bu gu zhi, + lian zi, + shi chang pu
Optic atrophy: + chen pi
Food stagnation in Wei syndrome: + shan zha, + mai ya, + shen qu, + gu ya
Chills and cold limbs: + zhi fu zi, + gan jiang
Qi and Blood deficiency: + huang qi, + dang gui
Stomach cancer (combined with Er Chen Tang): + cang zhu, + chuan bei mu, + zhi tian nan xing, + xia ku cao, + hai zao, + mu li, + long kui, + bai hua she she cao, − zhi gan cao, − shan yao, − bai bian dou, − lian zi, − sha ren, − jie geng, − sheng jiang, − wu mei
Epstein-Barr syndrome, chronic fatigue or myalgic encephalomyelitis: + tai zi shen, + da zao, − ren shen, − zhi gan cao, − jie geng
Epstein-Barr syndrome, chronic fatigue or myalgic encephalomyelitis, stronger version: + tai zi shen, + da zao, + sheng di huang, + shan zhu yu, + ze xie, + fu ling, − ren shen, − zhi gan cao, − jie geng
Post-glandular fever, sore throat, chronic tonsillitis or chronic fatigue: + chen pi, + mu hu die, + sha ren
Post-glandular fever, tonsillitis or chronic fatigue with frequent colds: + chen pi, + mu hu die, + sha ren, + huang qi, + fang feng
Post-glandular fever, tonsillitis or chronic fatigue with copious Phlegm: + chen pi, + mu hu die, + sha ren, + zhi ban xia
Post-glandular fever, tonsillitis or chronic fatigue with swollen glands: + chen pi, + mu hu die, + sha ren, + zhe bei mu, + xuan shen, + cang er zi
Chronic glomerulonephritis: + huang qi, + yi mu cao, + ze xie, + han fang ji, + da fu pi, − bai bian dou, − lian zi, − sha ren, − jie geng
Chronic glomerulonephritis with heavy albuminuria: + huang qi, + yi mu cao, + ze xie, + han fang ji, + da fu pi, + chi xiao dou, + chan tui, − bai bian dou, − lian zi, − sha ren, − jie geng
Chronic glomerulonephritis, severe edema in the upper body: + huang qi, + yi mu cao, + ze xie, + han fang ji, + da fu pi, + ma huang, + zi su ye, − bai bian dou, − lian zi, − sha ren, − jie geng
Chronic glomerulonephritis, edema in the lower body: + huang qi, + yi mu cao, + ze xie, + han fang ji, + da fu pi, + che qian zi, + jiao mu, + cang zhu, + hou po, − bai bian dou, − lian zi, − sha ren, − jie geng
Chronic pancreatitis: + chai hu, + bai shao, + mu xiang, + bai dou kou, − sha ren
Chronic sinusitis: + huang qi, + chen pi, + ze xie, + da zao
Chronic sinusitis, severe nasal congestion: + huang qi, + chen pi, + ze xie, + da zao, + cang er zi, + huo xiang, + xi xin
Chronic sinusitis, severe nasal congestion, other option: + huang qi, + chen pi, + ze xie, + da zao, + gan jiang, + xi xin
Chronic sinusitis with nasal discharge that alternates between white and yellow: + huang qi, + chen pi, + ze xie, + da zao, + huang qin, + yu xing cao
Chronic sinusitis, catching Wind easily and often: + huang qi, + chen pi, + ze xie, + da zao, + jing jie, + fang feng
Chronic sinusitis, lasting cough and profuse Phlegm: + huang qi, + chen pi, + ze xie, + da zao, + zi wan, + xing ren, + wu wei zi
Chronic sinusitis, headache, heavy head and dizziness: + huang qi, + chen pi, + ze xie, + da zao, + bai zhi, + chuan xiong, + shi chang pu
Blood stagnation in sinusitis: + mu dan pi, + chi shao
Sinusitis where copious sticky white Phlegm persists: + chen pi, + zhi ban xia
Sinusitis with Phlegm-Heat or set off by trigger foods (add two or three of these): + huo xiang, + xia ku cao, + cang er zi, + xin yi hua
Gout: + dang shen, + huang qi, + han fang ji, + bi xie, + hua shi, + mu gua, + dang gui, + qin jiao, + huo xiang, + pei lan, + bai dou kou, − ren shen, − zhi gan cao, − bai bian dou, − lian zi, − sha ren
Paralysis with nausea, poor appetite, a slimy mouth and oppressive distention of chest and abdomen: + huo xiang, + pei lan, + shi chang pu
Yang deficiency predominating: + zhi fu zi, + gan jiang, − bai bian dou, − yi yi ren, − jie geng
Strangury: + sang piao xiao, + yi zhi ren, + wu yao, − yi yi ren, − sha ren, − jie geng
Polymyositis or dermatomyositis: + chen pi, + sang ji sheng, + huai niu xi, − zhi gan cao, − jie geng
Polymyositis or dermatomyositis, cold limbs and aversion to cold: + chen pi, + sang ji sheng, + huai niu xi, + zhi fu zi, + gan jiang, − zhi gan cao, − jie geng
Chronic polymyositis or dermatomyositis, weak from Qi and Blood deficiency: + chen pi, + sang ji sheng, + huai niu xi, + dang shen, + bai zhu, + shan yao, + huang qi, + shu di huang, + dang gui, − zhi gan cao, − jie geng
Chronic polymyositis or dermatomyositis, Cold-Damp: + chen pi, + sang ji sheng, + huai niu xi, + wei ling xian, + qiang huo, + du huo, − zhi gan cao, − jie geng
Chronic polymyositis or dermatomyositis, Wind-Damp-Heat: + chen pi, + sang ji sheng, + huai niu xi, + qin jiao, + cang zhu, + huang bai, − zhi gan cao, − jie geng
Chronic polymyositis or dermatomyositis, upper body pain: + chen pi, + sang ji sheng, + huai niu xi, + jiang huang, + sang zhi, − zhi gan cao, − jie geng
Chronic polymyositis or dermatomyositis, lower body pain: + chen pi, + sang ji sheng, + huai niu xi, + mu gua, + du huo, − zhi gan cao, − jie geng
Chronic polymyositis or dermatomyositis, Liver Qi stagnation: + chen pi, + sang ji sheng, + huai niu xi, + chai hu, − zhi gan cao, − jie geng
Chronic polymyositis or dermatomyositis, oppressive distention of chest and abdomen: + chen pi, + sang ji sheng, + huai niu xi, + zhi ke, − zhi gan cao, − jie geng
Chronic polymyositis or dermatomyositis, pain of ribs and flanks: + chen pi, + sang ji sheng, + huai niu xi, + qing pi, − zhi gan cao, − jie geng
Chronic polymyositis or dermatomyositis, lower abdominal or period pain: + chen pi, + sang ji sheng, + huai niu xi, + wu yao, − zhi gan cao, − jie geng
Severe Damp in cervicitis or cervical polyps, with headache, slippery pulse and a swollen tongue with thick coat: + zhi ban xia, + bai jie zi
Cervicitis or cervical polyps that persist, with vaginal discharge and thick sputum: + jin ying zi, + lian xu, + hai piao xiao, + long gu, + mu li
Ulcerative colitis: + chen pi, − sha ren, − jie geng
Ulcerative colitis with hidden Heat: + chen pi, + huang lian, + mu xiang, − sha ren, − jie geng
Ulcerative colitis, severe diarrhea: + chen pi, + chi shi zhi, + rou dou kou, − sha ren, − jie geng
Ulcerative colitis, poor eating and drinking: + chen pi, + ji nei jin, − sha ren, − jie geng
HIV/AIDS: + zhi ban xia, + chen pi, − jie geng
Diarrhea in HIV/AIDS: + chen pi, + mu xiang, − jie geng
Painful, swollen tongue: + si gua luo
Painful, ulcerated tongue: + bai zhi
Tongue pain, poor appetite: + zhi ke
Abdominal pain and a painful tongue: + mu xiang, + chen pi
Loose stools and a painful tongue: + cao guo, + cang zhu
More marked Cold in the Middle Jiao: + gan jiang
Qi stagnation with fullness predominating: + chen pi, + mu xiang

Cautions

contraindication Excess patterns

contraindication Damp-Heat diarrhoea (acute, burning or foul-smelling, with Heat signs), and diarrhoea that comes from food stagnation or acute infection rather than a weak Spleen

caution Heat from Yin deficiency: modify the formula, since it is ill suited to Yin deficiency with Heat

caution Exterior or Interior Heat conditions: use with caution

caution Its aromatic, drying herbs can injure fluids further where Yin or fluids are markedly deficient

pregnancy Use with caution and only under professional guidance in pregnancy

caution With medicines: no herb-drug interactions are well documented, but that is not proof it is safe to combine

Pinyin

shen ling bai zhu san

English Name

Ginseng, Poria, and Atratylodes Macrocephala Powder form the Analytic Collection

shen ling bai zhu san

About shen ling bai zhu san

Ingredients

Actions and indications

Augments Qi and strengthens the Spleen

Resolves Dampness and stops diarrhea

Modern uses

Symptoms

Modifications

Cautions

Preparation

Names

Classification

Support