Bao He Wan
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
保和丸 · Bǎo Hé Wán
A classic digestive formula for food stagnation with epigastric distension, acid regurgitation, belching and poor appetite. It gently promotes digestion while transforming dampness and mildly clearing residual heat.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Digestive Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Food Stagnation
- Primary Function
- Promote digestion, resolve food stagnation
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Promote digestion, resolve food accumulation, and harmonize the Stomach
- Classical Source
- Dan Xi Xin Fa (Zhu Danxi, Yuan dynasty)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classic digestive formula for food stagnation with epigastric distension, acid regurgitation, belching and poor appetite. It gently promotes digestion while transforming dampness and mildly clearing residual heat.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for uncomplicated food stagnation with epigastric fullness, belching of sour fluid and thick greasy tongue coating — a gentle, focused digestive rather than the dampness-centred Ping Wei San or the multi-stagnation approach of Yue Ju Wan.
Composition: Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Envoy
Every herb in the formula, grouped by the job it does in the classical hierarchy.
君SovereignTreats the main pattern
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
神麴Shen Qu6g
Medicated Leaven- promotes digestion and fortifies the stomach effective for removing persistent wine and food accumulation
萊菔子Lai Fu Zi6g
Radish Seed- lowers qi and promotes digestion effective for removing accumulation due to grains
佐/使Assistant & EnvoyTreats accompanying patterns, harmonises the whole
半夏Ban Xia9g
Pinellia Rhizome- dries dampness
- dissolves phlegm
- directs counterflow downward and arrests vomiting
陳皮Chen Pi6g
Tangerine Peel- regulates qi and resolves stagnation
茯苓Fu Ling9g
Poria / Hoelen- fortifies the spleen and drains dampness
連翹Lian Qiao6g
Forsythia Fruit- dissipates masses to remove stagnation and clears constrained heat due to food stagnation
Classical Composition
- Crataegi Fructus (Shan Zha) 6 liang (180g)
- Medicata Massa Fermentata (Shen Qu) 2 liang (60g)
- Pinelliae Rhizoma (Ban Xia) 3 liang (90g)
- Poria (Fu Ling) 3 liang (90g)
- Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chen Pi) 1 liang (30g)
- Forsythiae Fructus (Lian Qiao) 1 liang (30g)
- Raphani Semen (Lai Fu Zi) 1 liang (30g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Promotes digestion and harmonizes the stomach.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for food accumulation in the stomach cavity.
- The symptoms are fullness, distending pain in the abdomen and stomach cavity, belching, acid swallowing, aversion to food, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue coating is thick and greasy, and the pulse is slippery.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This is a pattern of food accumulation caused by an improper diet and overeating.
- Inhibition of the qi mechanism by food accumulation results in fullness and distending pain in the abdomen and stomach cavity.
- When the ascending and descending function of the spleen and stomach is impaired, diarrhea and vomiting may result.
- Diarrhea is caused by the clear yang failing to ascend and vomiting is due to turbid yin failing to descend.
Clinical presentation
Tongue & pulseA thick, greasy tongue coating and a slippery pulse indicate food accumulation.
Treatment strategy
- The therapeutic principles used to remedy this pattern are to promote digestion and remove accumulation.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Bao He Wan is the representative mild formula for food stagnation. Ping Wei San focuses more on dampness and turbidity in the Middle Jiao. Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang addresses Spleen Qi deficiency with Qi stagnation. Yue Ju Wan addresses the broader Six Stagnations.
Clinical Differentiation
- Bao He Wan is a commonly used formula applicable for a variety of food accumulation patterns.
- This clinical pattern is marked by fullness in the abdomen and stomach, distention and pain in the abdomen and stomach cavity, belching, acid swallowing, thick and greasy tongue coating, slippery pulse.
Safety notes: This formula is an aggressive formula that attacks and dispels; therefore, it should not be taken for long periods of time. Additionally, it should not be prescribed to treat food accumulation patterns due to spleen deficiency without proper modification.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Bao He Wan?
Bao He Wan has the actions of reducing food stagnation, promoting digestion, and harmonizing the Stomach. It is the classic formula for resolving accumulation of undigested food in the Middle Jiao.
Which modern diseases is Bao He Wan suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within food stagnation, including acute indigestion or dyspepsia from overeating, acute or chronic gastritis and enteritis with stagnation signs, and pediatric food accumulation or related diarrhea.
Is Bao He Wan suitable for improving abdominal fullness, belching, and poor appetite after overeating?
For presentations of epigastric or abdominal fullness and distension (worse after eating), belching with sour or foul odor, acid regurgitation, aversion to food, nausea or vomiting, a thick greasy tongue coating, and a slippery pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms food stagnation — TCM commonly applies Bao He Wan as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment.
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Bao He Wan: Classic TCM Formula for Food Stagnation, Indigestion & Abdominal Fullness
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Spleen Qi Deficiency with Dampness, Bloating & Poor Appetite
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Ping Wei San: Classic TCM Formula for Dampness, Spleen Deficiency & Digestive Stagnation
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Medical Disclaimer
For general TCM education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a chronic condition.