Use of the formula according to Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• stops vomiting
• eliminates external pathogens, releases the exterior
• relieves spasms, distension and stagnation in the stomach
• eliminates and disperses pathological dampness
• allows stomach Qi to descend, harmonises the middle burner

Description:

This is a free modification of the well-known Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Tang, in which five of its basic herbs were retained, which act to adjust the Qi mechanism at the stomach level, i.e., they send its Qi back "down" (nausea and vomiting are actually Qi in counterflow, which instead of descending properly, rises...) To strengthen the formula's effect on the stomach, those from the original mixture that work more in the abdominal area (stopping diarrhoea, etc.) were omitted, and conversely, herbs such as hawthorn (for a feeling of "indigestion" and food stagnation), mint and chrysanthemum, which detoxify and release a possible pathogen in the case of a viral infection, were added, as well as gastrodia (relieves spasms and treats a possible "liver" component – emotions negatively affecting the stomach). Kudzu "generates" proper fluids and regenerates the stomach mucosa affected by a hot pathogen, while atractylodes and coix seed strengthen the Qi of the middle burner and help to further manage pathological dampness.

The original Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Pian is used in the modern concept for acute gastroenteritis (acute inflammation of the stomach and intestines), food poisoning and infections associated with so-called "stomach flu". It can also be used for kinetosis (nausea and vomiting after excessive movement or travelling by transport), after overeating with subsequent food stagnation in the stomach, or after excessive alcohol consumption. With Xiang Zhi Tang, these indications remain, but it is significantly more effective in cases where symptoms of indigestion manifest primarily in the stomach (especially vomiting and nausea, distension or pain), without more significant involvement of the intestines.

Indications:

• acute attacks of vomiting
• nausea, stomach feeling like it is on water
• elevated temperature or fever, chills, aversion to cold
• headaches
• fullness and pressure in the chest, diaphragm or epigastrium
• pain and/or spasms in the stomach or intestinal area

Modern effects:

• viral infection with involvement of the digestive system and dominating stomach problems, especially vomiting
• acute gastritis
• food poisoning
• nausea during chemotherapy
• kinetosis
• hangover

Tongue:

• variable, depending on the triggering condition (often a thicker greasy coating, white or yellowish)

Pulse:

• fu
• ru or huo (superficial, soggy, or slippery)

Contraindications:

• contraindicated in patients with significant blood and yin deficiency (contains pungent and aromatic, drying herbs)
• use with caution in patients with symptoms of damp heat; choose a different mixture if heat predominates

Notes:

The mixture is intended primarily for acute conditions, where it is used until symptoms subside.

Formula composition: