Tao Hua Tang, Peach Blossom Decoction, is Chi Shi Zhi, Gan Jiang and Geng Mi. The catalogue classes it among the formulas that restrain leakage from the Intestines, and records it as astringing the Intestines and warming the Middle against Cold.

Herb

Amount

chi shi zhi

48 g

gan jiang

9 g

geng mi

30 g

Actions and indications

Warms the Middle and dispels Cold

Deficiency Cold of the Middle Jiao, or Spleen and Kidney Yang deficiency, with dysentery or diarrhea
Dull abdominal pain that eases with warmth and pressure
Tiredness, cold limbs, a pale or sallow face and poor appetite
Tongue pale with a normal coat; pulse slow and frail, or faint and thin

Astringes the Intestines and stops dysentery

Chronic, watery dysentery with dull dark blood and pus in the stool, without the urgency, tenesmus or foul smell of a Damp-Heat pattern
Painful or difficult urination

Modern uses

Chronic dysentery
Bacterial dysentery
Amoebic dysentery
Chronic diarrhea
Enteritis
Ulcerative colitis
Chronic colitis
Crohn's disease
Irritable bowel syndrome
Celiac syndrome
Peptic ulcer
Rectal ulcer
Periproctosis
Hemorrhoids
Rectal cancer
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Leukorrhagia
Abdominal fullness and distention

Modifications

Worse cases where stool leaks: + dang shen, + wei rou dou kou

Worse belly pain: + bai shao, + gui zhi

Icy hands and feet, faint deep pulse: + zhi fu zi

Long-standing Intestinal Wind, bleeding: + pao jiang, − gan jiang

Chronic discharge, weak Spleen and Kidneys (taken together with Si Shen Wan)

Chronic amoebic dysentery: + shan yao, + long gu, + mu li, + di yu, + qin pi, − geng mi

Weak Yang, much Cold: + ren shen, + zhi fu zi, + zhi gan cao

Weak Yang, much Cold (alternative: taken together with Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan)

Severe abdominal pain: + dang gui, + bai shao

Low back pain and cold intolerance, weak Spleen and Kidney Yang: + rou dou kou

Weak Spleen Yang invaded by Cold-Damp: heavy, thin discharge without smell: + bai zhu, + bu gu zhi

Bacterial dysentery: + ren shen, + zhi fu zi

Show all 17 modifications

Diarrhea (taken together with Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang)
Weak Spleen and Kidney Yang (taken together with Zhen Ren Yang Zang Tang): + fu ling, − geng mi
Weak Spleen and Kidney Yang, marked Cold (taken together with Zhen Ren Yang Zang Tang): + fu ling, + zhi fu zi, − geng mi
Weak Spleen and Kidney Yang, marked prolapse (taken together with Zhen Ren Yang Zang Tang): + fu ling, + yu yu liang, + huang qi, + chai hu, + sheng ma, − geng mi
Weak Spleen and Kidney Yang, marked prolapse (alternative: taken together with Zhen Ren Yang Zang Tang and Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang): + fu ling, − geng mi

Cautions

contraindication Dysentery from Damp-Heat, or acute dysentery with bright red blood, foul odour, tenesmus or fever; an astringent can trap the pathogen

caution Have bloody or lasting diarrhea checked by a doctor before using it: cancer, ischemic colitis, inflammatory bowel disease and infection need ruling out

pregnancy Use in pregnancy only under professional guidance

caution Chi Shi Zhi is a mineral; its sourcing and use should follow a qualified practitioner

Pinyin

tao hua tang

English Name

Peach Blossom Decoction

tao hua tang

About tao hua tang

Ingredients

Actions and indications

Warms the Middle and dispels Cold

Astringes the Intestines and stops dysentery

Modern uses

Symptoms

Modifications

Cautions

Preparation

Names

Classification