Fruits and seedsQi-regulatingCitri Sarcodactylis Fructus

Fo Shou (Finger Citron Fruit)

Q: What is the composition and traditional use of Fo Shou?

Fo Shou is warm and enters the Liver, Spleen, Stomach, and Lung channels. It acts to soothe the Liver and regulate qi, harmonize the Stomach and stop pain, and dry dampness and transform phlegm. It is used for Liver-Stomach qi stagnation, chest and hypochondriac distention and pain, epigastric fullness, poor appetite and vomiting, and cough with copious phlegm.

Q: How do you choose raw versus prepared? Can Chen Pi replace it?

Fo Shou is cut into thin slices and used raw. Chen Pi leans to strengthening the Spleen and does not have the same specialized Liver-soothing action, so it cannot replace Fo Shou by equal weight. Commercial products should follow regulated processing, and people should not self-modify them.

Q: What is the usual dosage? Can it be drunk daily as a qi-regulating tea?

The usual decocted dose is 3–10 g, and modern use requires a practitioner to name the dose. It is not meant as a four-season “finger citron tea.” People with yin deficiency with heat may be further harmed, and qi stagnation needs a practitioner to name a short course rather than self-directed daily use.

Q: Can Fo Shou soothe the Liver and regulate qi, harmonize the Stomach and stop pain?

It can help with Liver-Stomach qi stagnation, including chest and hypochondriac distention and pain, epigastric fullness, poor appetite and vomiting, and cough with copious phlegm. It does soothe the Liver and regulate qi, harmonize the Stomach and stop pain, and dry dampness and transform phlegm, but it is not a specific remedy for every qi stagnation or every stomach pain.

Q: Can Fo Shou be drunk daily as a qi-regulating or phlegm-transforming tea?

No. Qi stagnation may only justify a short formula, while yin deficiency with heat can be worsened. The idea that Fo Shou must regulate qi does not replace assessment, and its use for soothing the Liver and regulating qi or harmonizing the Stomach should be named by a practitioner with the proper form and dose.

Q: How do you choose among Fo Shou, Chen Pi, Xiang Fu, Mu Xiang and Zhi Qiao?

Fo Shou is suited to Liver-Stomach qi stagnation and focuses on soothing the Liver, regulating qi, harmonizing the Stomach, stopping pain, drying dampness, and transforming phlegm. Chen Pi is better for Spleen deficiency, Xiang Fu for Liver depression, Mu Xiang for the middle burner, and Zhi Qiao for the chest and abdomen. They should be chosen after pattern differentiation, and yin deficiency with heat forbids large amounts of Fo Shou.

A practical guide to Fo Shou: what it is, how Traditional Chinese Medicine uses it, the classical formulas it appears in, and who should be careful with it.

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Last reviewed Oct 29, 2026

Quick Facts

Latin Name	Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus
Chinese Name & Pinyin	佛手 · Fo Shou
Medicinal Part	Fruits and seeds
The item	Fo Shou is the dried nearly ripe fruit of finger citron. Xiang Yuan (citron) is a near cousin, not this herb. It usually goes into decoctions or light home tea.
Nature and channels	Warm. Acrid, bitter, sweet. Enters the Liver, Spleen, Stomach, and Lung. Warm acrid bitter sweet soothes the liver, moves qi, harmonizes the stomach, and transforms damp phlegm.
Pharmacopoeia line	Soothes the liver and regulates qi, harmonizes the stomach and transforms damp. Traditionally used for liver qi constraint with chest and rib distending pain, epigastric fullness, vomiting, poor appetite, and phlegm-qi cough.
Pattern cues	Low mood with chest-rib pain. Belching. Epigastric fullness after greasy meals. Nausea vomiting. Cough with white phlegm.
In this article	Fo Shou versus Xiang Yuan. Harmonizing the stomach versus soothing the liver. Why it is not for long daily brewing. Why qi-deficiency and yin-deficiency-fire people must skip it. Why persistent vomiting needs a clinic. Who should skip it.

What Is Fo Shou?

Fo Shou (佛手; Fó Shǒu; Latin: Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus; English: finger citron fruit) in the current pharmacopoeia is the dried nearly ripe fruit of Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis of the Rutaceae family — golden when ripe, its top splitting into finger-like segments — harvested in autumn before it turns fully yellow, then sliced and sun-dried, usually used raw, with honey-fried and bran-stir-fried versions also on the market. It is warm, acrid, bitter, and sweet, enters the Liver, Spleen, Stomach, and Lung channels, and its core actions are to soothe the liver and move constrained qi, and to harmonize the stomach and transform damp phlegm. It usually goes into decoctions, or is brewed as a light daily tea. The usual amount is 3–10 g; a home cup of tea uses a milder 3–5 g. It needs no pre-decocting, late addition, or wrapped boiling — simply simmered with the other herbs, or steeped in boiling water. As a home tea, a small slice of it with a pinch of Chen Pi suits a mild, occasional cup.

It is not Xiang Yuan. Xiang Yuan (Citron Fruit) is more acrid-warm and leans toward soothing liver qi for chest and rib distending pain from constraint, while Fo Shou leans toward harmonizing the stomach for vomiting and poor appetite from spleen-stomach stagnation. Qi deficiency, with short breath, fatigue, and easy sweating, is a poor match. Yin-deficiency fire, with dry mouth and hot palms, gets worse with its warmth. Use caution in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Persistent vomiting or severe abdominal pain needs a clinic first. Anyone allergic to citrus-family plants should skip it. Do not keep brewing it daily for weeks on end.

It is used most often for three patterns:

Liver qi constraint — low mood, chest and rib distending pain, frequent belching, worse after emotional swings
Spleen-stomach qi stagnation — epigastric fullness, nausea vomiting, poor appetite, sticky mouth after greasy meals
Phlegm-qi cough — cough with a stuffy chest and white phlegm

Acrid, bitter, sweet, and warm, it is not a daily “mood lift” tea to keep brewing. Moving qi when there is no stagnation consumes qi, and its warmth dries up yin and fans empty heat.

When liver qi constrains and invades the stomach, or spleen-stomach qi stagnates after greasy eating, chest and rib pain, epigastric fullness, belching, and vomiting are common. Fo Shou is acrid, bitter, sweet, and warm. It soothes the liver, moves stagnant qi, harmonizes the stomach, and transforms damp phlegm, which is why it appears in Fo Shou San (Finger Citron Powder)–type formulas. It moves more than it holds. A qi-deficient or yin-deficient stomach, with no real stagnation, gets worse if more is added.

Fo Shou is not a catch-all mood or stomach lift. In qi deficiency, yin-deficiency fire, or pregnancy, taking it alone is a poor match. Raw or honey-fried, and whether it belongs in a formula, should be decided by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner after pattern diagnosis.

Fo Shou: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus

Botanical Origin

The dried fruit of Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle.(Rutaceae).

Production Regions

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan and Chongqing.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material is large and thin, with yellow skin and white flesh (Guang fo shou), or green skin and white flesh (Chuan fo shou), aromatic odor and sweet taste.

Macroscopic Features

Semi-elliptical or oval-shaped thin slices, often wrinkled or curled. 6~10cm long, 3~7cm wide, 0.2~0.4cm thick. Apex is slightly wide, with 3~5 finger-like sections, base is slightly narrow, some with fruit stem. Outer skin is yellowish-green or orange-yellow, with wrinkles and oil spots. Flesh is pale yellowish-white, with scattered uneven linear or spotted vascular bundles. Hard and brittle texture, pliable after being moistened. Aromatic odor; tastes slightly sweet and then bitter.

Main Regions and Quality Identification

Traditional materia medica and industry experience value the Guangdong and Guangxi regions — called Guang Fo Shou — holding that strong aroma with evenly wrinkled peel marks better quality. Zhejiang and Sichuan also cultivate it, called Chuan Fo Shou — slightly lighter in aroma but firmer in texture. Actual quality also depends on variety, harvest time, processing, and storage. In appearance, good-quality raw Fo Shou consists of irregular thin slices with finger-like segments at the edges, yellow-green or brown peel with fine dense oil dots, a yellow-white cut face, and a faint fruity scent. Processed products are darker in color; honey-fried Fo Shou has a slight sheen on the surface, and bran-stir-fried Fo Shou carries the scorched aroma of bran. Common look-alikes are the fruit slices of other citrus plants, such as Xiang Yuan (citron) — its segments are shorter and its aroma fainter, so distinguish them carefully.

Traditional Properties & Historical Lineage

Nature, Flavour & Channel Tropism

Acrid, Bitter, Sour; WarmLiverSpleenStomachLung

1. Records in Classic Materia Medica

Ben Cao Gang Mu: records that it "cooked with wine, treats phlegm-qi cough; decocted, treats pain below the heart" (that is, epigastric pain).
De Pei Ben Cao: records it "regulates the qi and quickens the diaphragm, treats vomiting, and removes phlegm fullness below the heart."
Zhong Hua Ben Cao: adds its actions of "soothing the liver, relieving constraint, regulating the qi and harmonizing the middle, drying damp and transforming phlegm."

These records all circle around regulating the qi and harmonizing the spleen and stomach, staying within the traditional scope of qi-regulating herbs.

2. How Views of Its Nature Changed

Different physicians saw it differently. Some stressed its liver-soothing, qi-regulating side — easing the bodily discomfort that emotional constraint brings. Others emphasized its stomach-harmonizing, phlegm-transforming side — for the bloating and vomiting of spleen-stomach qi stagnation. Still others pointed out its limited scope — not for qi-deficiency or yin-deficiency-fire people — which keeps it from being treated as a universal qi-regulating herb. These differing emphases make its application more targeted.

Core Efficacies & Traditional Applications

Traditional Functions

Spreads liver qi and regulates qi, harmonizes the stomach and stops pain, and dries dampness and resolves phlegm.

1. First Direction: Soothing the Liver and Regulating the Qi

Traditional action: regulate the liver's qi and ease the qi stagnation that emotional constraint brings.
Typical signs: a depressed mood, chest and rib distending pain, epigastric fullness, frequent belching — especially worse after emotional swings.
Usual combinations: often paired with liver-soothing herbs such as Chai Hu and Xiang Fu; when spleen-stomach discomfort is also present, with stomach-harmonizing herbs such as Chen Pi and Bai Zhu.
Who should not self-use: those with qi deficiency (short breath, fatigue, easy sweating) or yin deficiency with fire (dry mouth and throat, tidal heat, night sweats) should not self-use Fo Shou — it may worsen the deficiency heat or waste the upright qi.

2. Second Direction: Regulating the Qi and Harmonizing the Stomach

Traditional action: regulate the spleen-stomach qi and ease the discomfort of spleen-stomach qi stagnation.
Typical signs: epigastric fullness, nausea and vomiting, poor appetite, a sticky mouth — especially after irregular eating or too much greasy food.
Usual combinations: often paired with stomach-harmonizing, vomiting-stopping herbs such as Sha Ren and Mu Xiang; when phlegm-damp is heavy, with phlegm-transforming, damp-resolving herbs such as Ban Xia and Fu Ling.
Who should not self-use: those with spleen-stomach yin deficiency (dry mouth, red tongue with little coat) should not self-use, because Fo Shou's warm nature may worsen the yin-deficiency signs.

3. Classic Pairing: Fo Shou With Chen Pi

The most common herb pair is Fo Shou with Chen Pi. Fo Shou is good at soothing the liver qi and harmonizing the spleen-stomach qi; Chen Pi is good at drying damp, transforming phlegm, regulating the qi, and harmonizing the stomach. Together they both untangle the liver qi stagnation that emotion brings and ease the spleen-stomach qi stagnation that diet brings — suiting the pattern where emotional discomfort and stomach discomfort coexist: chest-rib fullness, epigastric stuffiness, belching that won't come out. This pairing needs a practitioner's pattern diagnosis; don't combine herbs on your own.

Modern Research

Modern research offers useful context, but Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribes on whole-pattern diagnosis rather than isolated compounds.

1. Main Chemical Constituents

Detected constituents include volatile oils (limonene, nerol, and others), flavonoids (such as hesperidin), and coumarins. In vitro tests show some components have anti-inflammatory activity; animal studies suggest the extract may regulate gastrointestinal movement and relieve gastrointestinal spasm. There is not yet sufficient human clinical research to reach clear conclusions on its effects.

2. Current Research Directions

Current research mainly follows three directions:

Regulating gastrointestinal function — the extract was observed to ease bloating and dyspepsia in animal models.
Emotion-related bodily discomfort — some studies show its components may affect neurotransmitters.
Respiratory effects — its volatile oil showed some antitussive effect in experiments.

All of this research is at the basic stage — more human studies are still needed to verify the actual effects.

3. Limitations of Current Research

Lab results are not clinical efficacy — animal and in vitro results cannot be directly applied to humans.
Extracts and monomers are not the same as traditional decoction pieces — the content and potency of components detected in the plant differ greatly from the sliced herb used daily.
Methods and doses vary between studies — differences in dose and preparation make direct comparison difficult.
A single component does not define the whole herb — Chinese herbs usually work through many components together; studying one component cannot represent the whole herb's effect.

Comparing Similar Herbs

1. What They Share

Fo Shou is compared with the similar-acting Xiang Yuan (citron). Both regulate the qi; both are used for chest and rib distending pain and epigastric fullness; both may appear in liver-soothing and stomach-harmonizing formulas or food-therapy dishes; and both need adjustment to the individual constitution and dose — neither should be taken long-term or in large amounts.

2. The Key Differences: Fo Shou vs. Xiang Yuan

Nature and flavors: Fo Shou is warm with pungent, bitter, and sweet flavors — a moderate warmth with no strong cold-heat lean; Xiang Yuan is warm but leans toward pungent-warm, with pungent and bitter flavors and somewhat stronger warmth — better for cold-constitution people.
Focus: Fo Shou is better at harmonizing the spleen and stomach — clearer for the vomiting and poor appetite of spleen-stomach qi stagnation; Xiang Yuan is better at soothing the liver and regulating the qi — clearer for the chest and rib distending pain of liver qi constraint.
Qi tendency: Fo Shou leans toward harmonizing the stomach and sending rebellious qi down — straightening the spleen-stomach qi and easing the vomiting of stomach qi rising; Xiang Yuan leans toward soothing the liver and relieving constraint — straightening the liver qi and easing the distending pain of constraint.
Best fit: Fo Shou suits the spleen-stomach qi stagnation signs — epigastric fullness, nausea and vomiting, a sticky mouth; Xiang Yuan suits the liver qi constraint signs — chest and rib distending pain, a depressed mood, frequent belching.
Not suitable: Fo Shou is not for qi-deficiency or yin-deficiency-fire people; Xiang Yuan is also not for qi deficiency, and yin-deficiency-fire people should be extra cautious with it, because its stronger warmth more easily worsens deficiency heat.
Use scenes: Fo Shou appears in stomach-harmonizing formulas and in daily teas and food therapy for the digestion; Xiang Yuan appears in liver-soothing formulas, more for emotion-related chest and rib discomfort.

3. One-Sentence Summary

Simply put, Fo Shou leans toward harmonizing the spleen and stomach and easing gastrointestinal discomfort, whereas Xiang Yuan leans toward soothing the liver, regulating the qi, and easing chest and rib pain. Both can regulate the qi, but they are not interchangeable.

Classical Formulas Containing Fo Shou

Classic Formula 1: Fo Shou San (Finger Citron Powder)

Fo Shou San is a traditional qi-regulating formula with Fo Shou as its main herb, combined with Chen Pi, Xiang Fu, and Sha Ren.

Combination logic: Fo Shou is the main qi-regulating herb here, in a minister position — its main role is harmonizing the spleen and stomach and soothing the liver qi; Xiang Fu strengthens the liver-soothing effect, and Chen Pi and Sha Ren strengthen the stomach-harmonizing, vomiting-stopping effect. The four herbs work together to resolve the chest and rib pain and epigastric fullness of liver qi constraint with spleen-stomach qi stagnation. The formula does not use Fo Shou alone: without the other herbs' synergy, one herb cannot cover both the liver-soothing and stomach-harmonizing needs.

Traditional use: the formula was traditionally used for epigastric pain, chest and rib discomfort, belching, and vomiting from the liver qi attacking the stomach — a classic formula for this pattern.

Modern note: modern clinical use requires a doctor's pattern diagnosis and standard care; do not self-apply just because the formula name relates to regulating the qi.

Classic Formula 2: Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang, Modified (With Fo Shou)

This modified version adds Fo Shou to the classic Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang, combining it with Mu Xiang, Bai Zhu, and Fu Ling.

Combination logic: Fo Shou is an auxiliary qi-regulating herb here, in an assistant position — its main role is regulating the spleen-stomach qi and easing the stagnation that tonics like Bai Zhu and Fu Ling might bring; Mu Xiang strengthens the stomach-harmonizing, qi-moving effect; Bai Zhu and Fu Ling strengthen the spleen and boost the qi. The four herbs work together to resolve the poor appetite and epigastric fullness of spleen-stomach qi deficiency with qi stagnation. The formula does not use Fo Shou alone: without spleen-tonifying herbs, one herb cannot solve the root problem of spleen-stomach qi deficiency.

Traditional use: the formula was traditionally used for dyspepsia, bloating, loose stools, and mental fatigue from spleen-stomach qi deficiency with qi stagnation.

Modern note: modern clinical use requires a doctor's pattern diagnosis and standard care; do not judge the applicability from the formula name alone.

Formulas vs. Single Herbs

A formula works through many herbs together — the lord, minister, assistant, and courier combination covers different effects, solving the main problem while harmonizing other discomforts. A single herb cannot simply replicate a full formula's effect, because it lacks the other herbs' synergy and restraint and cannot cover several needs at once. The formula's doses and combinations are holistic — each herb's amount and pairing is validated through long clinical use, not random assembly. Don't build your own formula from online articles: ordinary readers lack professional pattern-diagnosis ability, and wrong combinations or improper doses may result. And be clear: that a herb works inside a formula does not mean taking it alone will work the same way — Chinese herbs' effects come from many herbs working together, and a single herb's action is relatively narrow; it cannot replace the formula's overall effect.

Diet & Daily Home Use

1. Home Tea

Tea — Fo Shou Chen Pi Cha: Fo Shou slices 3 g, Chen Pi 3 g, Sheng Jiang 1 slice. Put the three in a cup, steep in boiling water for 10 minutes, and drink; can be re-steeped until the taste fades. Suited to mild epigastric fullness and stuck belching from low mood or greasy food — gentle daily care for most healthy people. Not for those with spleen-stomach yin deficiency (dry mouth and throat, red tongue with little coat) or marked qi deficiency (short breath, fatigue) — the tea's warmth and qi-moving action may worsen the discomfort. Suggested: 2–3 times a week; not for long-term continuous drinking.

2. Decoction and Processing Differences

The raw and processed forms differ in that raw Fo Shou has a stronger qi-moving action — suiting the regulation of qi stagnation; processed forms (such as honey-fried Fo Shou) are slightly less warm — better for harmonizing the stomach and stopping vomiting, with less irritation. At home, Fo Shou needs no pre-boiling, late addition, or bagging — cook it directly with other ingredients; as a tea, simply steep it in boiling water. Different forms cannot be converted directly: the effect of 10 g of raw Fo Shou slices cannot be equated with 10 g of Fo Shou extract capsules, because the content of active components and the extraction method differ.

3. Dosage and Course

The common dose in traditional prescriptions is 3–10 g, adjusted to the pattern — lighter when harmonizing the stomach, heavier when soothing the liver. Food-therapy doses are usually lighter than medicinal ones — about 3–5 g of Fo Shou slices. Long-term continuous use is not advised, because qi-moving herbs used for a long time may waste the upright qi — generally stop after 1–2 weeks; for continued use, consult a doctor or pharmacist. Special groups (such as pregnant women and the elderly) need dose adjustment and must consult a professional first.

Contraindications & Safety Warnings

1. Who Should Avoid It

Qi deficiency — persistent short breath, fatigue, easy sweating.
Yin deficiency with fire — dry mouth and throat, tidal heat, night sweats, red tongue with little coat — using Fo Shou may worsen the deficiency or deficiency heat.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding — use cautiously; there is no clear contraindication basis yet, but consult a doctor before deciding.
Children and the elderly — weaker metabolism; reduce the dose and use under adult supervision to avoid excess.
Liver or kidney impairment — the herb is metabolized through the liver and kidney; use cautiously to avoid added burden.
Allergy to Rutaceae (citrus-family) plants — may be allergic to Fo Shou; avoid it.
Those in special treatment — such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy — consult a doctor first to avoid interactions with treatment drugs.

2. Interactions and Diet Notes

Fo Shou may interact with anticoagulants, blood-pressure medications, and blood-sugar medications, because its components may affect drug metabolism or absorption — anyone on such drugs should consult a doctor or pharmacist first. Some herbs may also interact with Fo Shou: for example, with qi-tonics such as Huang Qi and Dang Shen, the dose may need adjusting if taken together, to avoid qi stagnation. There is no sufficient evidence for a general "food clash" between ordinary foods, but certain herbs can interact with specific drugs — anyone on medication should consult a doctor or pharmacist first. In daily diet, avoid eating large amounts of greasy or spicy food at the same time, so it doesn't weaken Fo Shou's regulating effect.

3. Adverse Reactions and Overdose Risk

Improper use may bring dry mouth and throat, epigastric discomfort, and nausea — usually from overdose or an unsuitable constitution. Overdose may over-consume the qi, making fatigue and short breath worse. If marked discomfort, allergy signs (rash, itching), persistent vomiting, breathing difficulty, altered consciousness, or rapidly worsening symptoms appear, stop at once and seek medical care. In daily use, follow the recommended dose strictly and do not raise the amount on your own, to avoid side effects.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fo Shou

What is Fo Shou? Are Chen Pi and Xiang Fu the same?

Fo Shou (佛手) is the dried fruit of Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis (Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus), a common Chinese herb centered on soothing the Liver and regulating qi, harmonizing the Stomach and stopping pain, and drying dampness and transforming phlegm. Chen Pi regulates qi and strengthens the Spleen, leaning to Spleen deficiency. Xiang Fu soothes the Liver and regulates qi, leaning to Liver depression. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Fo Shou. Use caution in yin deficiency with heat.

What is the composition and traditional use of Fo Shou?

Pharmacopoeial name Fo Shou, Latin Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis. Acrid, bitter and sour, warm; enters the Liver, Spleen, Stomach and Lung channels. It acts to soothe the Liver and regulate qi, harmonize the Stomach and stop pain, and dry dampness and transform phlegm. It is used for Liver-Stomach qi stagnation, chest and hypochondriac distention and pain, epigastric fullness, poor appetite and vomiting, and cough with copious phlegm. Soothes the Liver, harmonizes the Stomach and transforms phlegm.

How do you choose raw versus prepared? Can Chen Pi replace it?

Cut into thin slices and used raw. Chen Pi leans to strengthening the Spleen without specialized Liver-soothing; it cannot replace the formula by equal weight. Commercial products follow regulated processing; do not self-modify.

What is the usual dosage? Can it be drunk daily as a qi-regulating tea?

Decocted, 3-10 g. Modern use requires a practitioner to name the dose. It is not a four-season “finger citron tea.” Yin deficiency with heat only injures further. Qi stagnation needs a practitioner to name a short course; it does not replace assessment.

What are the contraindications? Can it be used in pregnancy?

Use caution in yin deficiency with heat and qi deficiency without stagnation. Pregnancy requires practitioner assessment. Stop if dry mouth or vexing heat appears. Severe chest-hypochondriac pain or vomiting blood need immediate medical care.

Can Fo Shou soothe the Liver and regulate qi, harmonize the Stomach and stop pain?

It can help Liver-Stomach qi stagnation with chest and hypochondriac distention and pain, epigastric fullness, poor appetite and vomiting, and cough with copious phlegm. It soothes the Liver and regulates qi, harmonizes the Stomach and stops pain, and dries dampness and transforms phlegm—not a specific for every qi stagnation or every stomach pain.

Can Fo Shou be drunk daily as a qi-regulating or phlegm-transforming tea?

Qi stagnation may enter a short formula; yin deficiency with heat only injures further. “Finger citron must regulate qi” does not replace assessment. Soothing the Liver and regulating qi, harmonizing the Stomach and stopping pain should be named by a practitioner with form and dose.

How do you choose among Fo Shou, Chen Pi, Xiang Fu, Mu Xiang and Zhi Qiao?

Fo Shou soothes the Liver and regulates qi while harmonizing the Stomach and stopping pain and drying dampness and transforming phlegm, leaning to Liver-Stomach qi stagnation. Chen Pi regulates qi and strengthens the Spleen, leaning to Spleen deficiency. Xiang Fu soothes the Liver and regulates qi, leaning to Liver depression. Mu Xiang moves qi and stops pain, leaning to the middle burner. Zhi Qiao moves qi and broadens the middle, leaning to the chest and abdomen. Liver-Stomach qi stagnation favors Fo Shou; Spleen deficiency favors Chen Pi; Liver depression favors Xiang Fu; middle burner favors Mu Xiang; chest and abdomen favor Zhi Qiao. They may be referenced after pattern differentiation; yin deficiency with heat forbids large Fo Shou.

How is Fo Shou commonly modified? What is the representative use?

Depends on the pattern. Liver depression may add Xiang Fu; copious phlegm may add Ban Xia. Write Fo Shou; do not replace the Liver-soothing action with an equal weight of Chen Pi.

How do you choose and store Fo Shou?

Choose regulated Chinese medicinal materials with intact slices and strong fragrance. Moldy, damp, or abnormal-smelling lots are discarded. Store cool and dry. Buy “Fo Shou”; do not replace soothing the Liver and regulating qi, harmonizing the Stomach and stopping pain with an equal weight of Chen Pi or Xiang Fu.

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Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.