Fu Zi Geng Mi Tang and Li Zhong Tang

Author: Nan Kaiyang  Editor: Gu Yuxi Translator: Gu Yuxi

Fu Zi Geng Mi Tang

Original Text:

From Jingui Yaolue (Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet), Chapter 10: Abdominal Fullness, Cold Hernia, and Retained Food: “When there is cold qi in the abdomen, with rumbling sounds and severe cutting pain, rebellious fullness in the chest and hypochondria, and vomiting, Fu Zi Geng Mi Tang is indicated.”

Symptoms:

This refers to abdominal cold syndrome with incessant rumbling sounds. “Rebellious” indicates obstruction, where the lung, which governs the downward diffusion of qi in the chest cavity, fails to descend qi and instead causes it to rebel upwards. This is fundamentally different from fullness and distress in the chest and hypochondria. Acute abdominal conditions and middle jiao cold-dampness with vomiting of clear water are also related to this.

Location of Disease:

Cold fluid in the chest and abdomen, and qi dynamic imbalance in the middle jiao. This requires warming the middle, transforming cold fluid, and subduing rebellious qi.

Li Zhong Tang Common Modifications

1、For cold limbs accompanied by watery diarrhea, simply add Fu Zi (Prepared Aconite Root) 5-6g.

2、For painful diarrhea due to internal cold: There is a sensation of coldness in the stomach and below the navel, and the stool has no foul odor. Use Fu Gui Li Zhong Tang (Li Zhong Tang with Fu Zi and Rou Gui).

3、For jaundice due to cold-dampness, such as acute hepatitis: Heat-clearing herbs should not be used excessively. Bai Hua She She Cao (Oldenlandia Diffusa) cannot be used. At most, add a little Yin Chen (Artemisia Capillaris) and Yu Jin (Curcuma Tuber).

4、For qi rushing upwards to the chest: Intestinal rumbling, qi stagnation with abdominal distention, hypochondriac distending pain, dry heaving, nausea, and acid regurgitation, add Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia Fruit).

5、For mild middle jiao deficiency-cold, add Mu Xiang (Costus Root) / Huo Xiang (Agastache) / Xiang Fu (Cyperus Rhizome), Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit).

6、For a cold sensation upon food entering the stomach, add Ding Kou (Clove and Cardamom).

7、For chronic diarrhea with loose stools, add Chuan Jiao (Sichuan Peppercorn), Wu Mei (Mume Fruit) (or directly use Wu Mei Wan).

8、For damp-heat in the stomach and intestines, or long-term Spleen-Stomach Yang deficiency leading to prolonged stagnation of dampness transforming into dryness, add Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome) 3-5g. This is Lian Li Tang. Huang Lian can dry dampness and also counteract the effects of Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) and Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes Rhizome).

Disclaimer:​

The experiences and insights shared above represent the author’s personal usage and understanding, and are provided for reference only as part of academic exchange. Please do not blindly replicate or apply them; any consequences arising from such actions are solely your responsibility. As individual constitutions vary, medication should be tailored accordingly. It is advisable to use such treatments under the guidance of a qualified physician. If you have additional experiences to share, comments and submissions are welcome.​
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