Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
生姜泻心汤 · Shēng Jiāng Xiè Xīn Tāng
A Shang Han Lun Xie Xin variant with extra Sheng Jiang for epigastric distension with water-food retention, firmness, belching and a thundering gut sound with diarrhoea.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Harmonising Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Qi Stagnation
- Primary Function
- Disperse water-food retention, harmonise the Middle
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Disperse retained water and food while balancing cold and heat
- Classical Source
- Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A Shang Han Lun Xie Xin variant with extra Sheng Jiang for epigastric distension with water-food retention, firmness, belching and a thundering gut sound with diarrhoea.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected when epigastric hardness and food-odour belching point to water-food retention — a Sheng Jiang-emphasised variant of the Xie Xin family.
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
半夏Ban Xia12g
Pinellia Rhizome- transforms phlegm
黃芩Huang Qin9g
Scutellaria / Baikal Skullcap- clears heat from the lung
- stomach and liver-gallbladder
黃連Huang Lian3g
Coptis Rhizome- clears heart and stomach fire and dries damp-heat
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
Classical Composition
- Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens (Sheng Jiang) 12g
- Rhizoma Pinelliae (Ban Xia) 12g
- Radix Scutellariae (Huang Qin) 9g
- Rhizoma Coptidis (Huang Lian) 3g
- Rhizoma Zingiberis (Gan Jiang) 6g
- Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng (Ren Shen) 9g
- Fructus Jujubae (Da Zao) 4pcs
- Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle (Zhi Gan Cao) 9g
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Harmonizes the stomach
- directs counterflow downward
- and disperses focal distension with water-food accumulation.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for stomach disharmony with lingering water and food.
- Signs and symptoms include focal epigastric distension, dry belching with a food odor, rumbling intestines, and diarrhea.
- The coating is greasy.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This pattern is caused by constrained qi that fails to course freely through the liver and middle jiao.
- Stagnation produces distension that moves with the emotions, rib-side tightness, belching or irregular menstruation.
- Stomach disharmony with lingering water and food produces focal distension, dry belching with a food odor, and rumbling intestines.
Treatment strategy
- The correct method is to course the liver, move qi, and resolve constraint.
- In this formula the emphasis is to disperse retained water and food while balancing cold and heat.
How does this formula compare?
| Compare | Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang | Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang | Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Disperse water-food retention, harmonise the Middle | Harmonise cold and heat, disperse focal distension | Descend rebellious Qi, transform phlegm, benefit the Stomach |
| Formula Category | Harmonising Formulas | Harmonising Formulas | Phlegm-Resolving Formulas |
| Typical TCM Pattern | Qi Stagnation | Qi Stagnation | Qi Stagnation |
| Main Conditions | Bloating·Nausea·Diarrhea·Stomach Discomfort | Bloating·Nausea·Diarrhea·Stomach Discomfort | Nausea·Bloating·Stomach Discomfort·Acid Reflux |
| Main Herbs | Fresh Ginger·Pinellia Rhizome·Scutellaria / Baikal Skullcap·Coptis Rhizome·Dried Ginger | Pinellia Rhizome·Scutellaria / Baikal Skullcap·Coptis Rhizome·Dried Ginger·Ginseng Root | Inula Flower·Hematite·Ginseng Root·Pinellia Rhizome·Honey-fried Licorice |
| Classical Source | Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han) | Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han) | Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han) |
Clinical Perspective
Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang disperses water-food for harder Pi with belching of food odour. Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang is the base cold-heat Pi formula. Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang descends counterflow with phlegm after Middle damage.
Clinical Differentiation
- Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang is used for stomach disharmony with lingering water and food: focal distension, dry belching with a food odor and rumbling intestines.
- It is distinguished from Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang (mixed cold-heat pi without the same water-food emphasis) and from Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang (qi counterflow with hard focal distension below the heart).
Safety notes: This formula is not appropriate for true yangming heat bind or for deficiency-cold without mixed water-food focal distension.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang?
Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang has the actions of harmonizing the Stomach, dispersing focal distention and clumping, eliminating water/rheum, and directing rebellious Qi downward. It is a variation of Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang that places greater emphasis on dispersing residual water and food stagnation in the Middle Burner.
Which modern diseases is Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within mixed Cold-Heat with water or food retention in the Middle Burner, including chronic gastritis, gastroptosis, gastric dilation or distention, functional dyspepsia with foul belching and abdominal rumbling, and certain diarrheal conditions accompanied by hard epigastric distention of this pattern.
Is Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang suitable for improving hard epigastric distention, foul belching, and diarrhea with abdominal rumbling?
For presentations of hard focal distention below the Heart, belching with the odor of food (or dry heaves), thunderous rumbling in the abdomen, and diarrhea — especially after sweating or when residual water and food stagnation are present — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms water-Heat mutual binding or Middle disharmony with retention — TCM commonly applies Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment.
Related Products
Nong's Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang (Fresh Ginger Decoction to Drain the Epigastrium) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
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Sheng Jiang Xie Xin Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Epigastric Fullness with Water Retention & Mixed Cold-Heat
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Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Rebellious Qi, Belching & Phlegm-Damp
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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.