Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
枳实导滞丸 · Zhǐ Shí Dǎo Zhì Wán
A classical formula for food stagnation with damp-heat, presenting with abdominal distension, constipation or sticky diarrhoea, and a thick yellow greasy tongue coating.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Digestive Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Food Stagnation
- Primary Function
- Guide out stagnation, clear heat, drain damp
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Resolve food accumulation, clear damp-heat and move the bowels
- Classical Source
- Nei Wai Shang Bian Huo Lun (Li Dongyuan, Jin dynasty)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for food stagnation with damp-heat, presenting with abdominal distension, constipation or sticky diarrhoea, and a thick yellow greasy tongue coating.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for food stagnation combined with damp-heat — stronger clearing than Bao He Wan, more accumulation-focused than pure heat-diarrhoea formulas.
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
枳實Zhi Shi9g
Immature Bitter Orange- moves qi and resolves stagnation
大黃Da Huang9g
Rhubarb Root and Rhizome- expels accumulation and discharges heat
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
黃連Huang Lian6g
Coptis Rhizome- moves qi and resolves stagnation
黃芩Huang Qin6g
Scutellaria / Baikal Skullcap- clears heat and dries dampness
- regulates the intestines
- arrests dysentery
佐/使Assistant & EnvoyTreats accompanying patterns, harmonises the whole
神麴Shen Qu9g
Medicated Leaven- promotes digestion and fortifies the spleen
白朮Bai Zhu9g
White Atractylodes Rhizome- fortifies the spleen and dries dampness
茯苓Fu Ling9g
Poria / Hoelen- promotes urination
- regulates water and drains dampness to arrest diarrhea
澤瀉Ze Xie6g
Alisma Rhizome- leaches dampness and drains ministerial fire via the urine
Classical Composition
- Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (Da Huang) 1 liang (30g)
- Aurantii Fructus Immaturus (Zhi Shi) 5 qian (15g)
- Medicata Massa Fermentata (Shen Qu) 5 qian (15g)
- Poria (Fu Ling) 3 qian (9g)
- Scutellariae Radix (Huang Qin) 3 qian (9g)
- Coptidis Rhizoma (Huang Lian) 3 qian (9g)
- Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Bai Zhu) 3 qian (9g)
- Alismatis Rhizoma (Ze Xie) 2 qian (6g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Promotes digestion
- removes stagnation
- clears heat
- and removes dampness.
Indications
- Food accumulation with damp-heat, marked by distending pain of the abdomen and stomach cavity, diarrhea, constipation, dark, scanty urine, a greasy yellow tongue coating, and a deep, forceful pulse.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This pattern is caused by an accumulation of both damp-heat and food.
- Food accumulation may induce damp-heat or there may be a pre-existing pattern of damp-heat that combines with food accumulation.
- When qi movement is blocked by internal stagnation, distension and pain of the abdomen and stomach cavity is the result.
- Damp-heat enters the large intestine to cause diarrhea.
- If heat obstructs qi movement there may be constipation.
Clinical presentation
- Dark urine, a greasy, yellow tongue coating, and a deep and forceful pulse are all signs that indicate damp-heat.
Treatment strategy
- The therapeutic principle is to promote digestion, remove accumulation, clear heat and remove dampness.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan clears damp-heat while guiding food stagnation. Bao He Wan is milder for simple food stagnation. Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan more strongly moves Qi and purges. Ge Gen Qin Lian Tang clears heat for feverish diarrhoea with exterior signs.
Clinical Differentiation
- Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan serves as the most common formula applied for food accumulation with damp-heat blocking the stomach and intestine.
- This clinical pattern is marked by distention and fullness of the abdomen and stomach, abnormal defection, greasy, yellow tongue coating, deep and forceful pulse.
Safety notes: This formula is prohibited for chronic dysentery and diarrhea with deficiency if there is no accumulation, and for pregnant women.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan?
Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan has the actions of reducing and guiding out food stagnation and accumulation, draining Heat, and dispelling Dampness. It is designed for excess patterns of food accumulation complicated by Damp-Heat in the Middle Jiao.
Which modern diseases is Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within food stagnation with Damp-Heat, including acute indigestion or food stagnation after overeating, acute gastroenteritis or bacterial dysentery with Damp-Heat signs, functional dyspepsia with abdominal distension and Heat, and certain cases of constipation or foul diarrhea of accumulation type.
Is Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan suitable for improving abdominal distension, foul stools, and poor appetite after dietary excess?
For presentations of epigastric or abdominal distension and pain (worse after eating), constipation or diarrhea with foul-smelling stools, possible tenesmus, dark scanty urine, a greasy yellow tongue coating, and a deep forceful pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms food stagnation with Damp-Heat — TCM commonly applies Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment.
Related Products
Nong's Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan (Immature Bitter Orange Pill to Guide Out Stagnation) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Related Articles
Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan: Classic TCM Formula for Food Stagnation, Abdominal Fullness & Damp-Heat
Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan: Classic TCM Formula for Food Stagnation, Qi Stagnation & Damp-Heat
Ge Gen Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Exterior Unresolved with Interior Heat
Bao He Wan: Classic TCM Formula for Food Stagnation, Indigestion & Abdominal Fullness
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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.