Chinese: 小建中湯
Pinyin: Xiǎo Jiàn Zhōng Tāng
Other names: Minor Construct the Middle Decoction, Small Strengthening the Centre Decoction
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: AnemiaMigraineHypoglycemia and eight other conditions
- Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach)
- Tonifies Qi
- Relieves spasmodic pain
Contraindications: Contraindicated for Heat from Yin Deficiency. It should not be used without... Contraindicated for Heat from Yin Deficiency. It should not be used without modification in patients with vomiting or roundworms because these conditions are often aggravated by sweet substances. see more
Source date: 220 AD
Source book: Discussion of Cold Damage
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Xiao Jian Zhong Tang is a 6-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Maltose (Yi Tang) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold. Its main actions are: 1) warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach) and 2) tonifies Qi.
In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.
In this case Xiao Jian Zhong Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold or Small Intestine Deficient and Cold. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers or inflammatory bowel disease for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the six ingredients in Xiao Jian Zhong Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Xiao Jian Zhong Tang helps treat.
The six ingredients in Xiao Jian Zhong Tang
Yi Tang is a king ingredient in Xiao Jian Zhong Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Maltose (Yi Tang)
Part used: The sugar
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomachLung
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Yi Tang Tonifies both the Qi and Blood, generates Fluids, alleviates thirst, and moderates abdominal pain. Records of Thoughtful Differentiation of Materia Medica describes Maltose as the "quintessence of a quintessence" because it is distilled from grains such as rice, wheat, or barley, all of which are associated with sweetness and earth. Containing the very essence of earth makes it ideally suited to tonifying the Middle Burner.
Rou Gui is a deputy ingredient in Xiao Jian Zhong Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui)
In general Rou Gui's main actions are as follows: "Warms the Spleen and Kidneys and tonifies the Yang. Expels Cold, Warms the meridians, promotes circulation of Qi and Blood and relieves pain. Used with tonics to assist in the generation of Qi and Blood."
In the context of Xiao Jian Zhong Tang, it is used because it warms the Middle Burner and disperses Cold.
Bai Shao is a deputy ingredient in Xiao Jian Zhong Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Bai Shao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain."
In the context of Xiao Jian Zhong Tang, it is used because it benefits the Yin with its sweet and sour taste.
Sheng Jiang is an assistant ingredient in Xiao Jian Zhong Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
4. Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang)
In general Sheng Jiang's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning."
In the context of Xiao Jian Zhong Tang, it is used because it tonifies the protective Qi and strengthen the Middle Burner.
Da Zao is an assistant ingredient in Xiao Jian Zhong Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
5. Jujube Dates (Da Zao)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Da Zao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi. Tonifies the Blood. Calms the Shen (spirit). Moderates the actions of other herbs in formula."
In the context of Xiao Jian Zhong Tang, it is used because it tonifies the protective Qi and strengthen the Middle Burner.
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Xiao Jian Zhong Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
6. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Gan Cao works with the deputy herbs to stop spasmodic abdominal pain. It also harmonizes the functions of the Middle Burner and of the formula in general.
Conditions and patterns for which Xiao Jian Zhong Tang may be prescribed
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Xiao Jian Zhong Tang is used by TCM practitioners to treat two different patterns which we describe below.
But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:
Chronic gastritis Peptic ulcers Inflammatory bowel disease Autonomic dystonia Chronic hepatitis Cholelithiasis Chronic nephritis Prostatic hypertrophy Migraine Anemia Hypoglycemia
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Xiao Jian Zhong Tang treats chronic gastritis" for instance. Rather, Xiao Jian Zhong Tang is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind chronic gastritis.
Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Xiao Jian Zhong Tang.
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Symptoms: No thirst Tiredness Weak limbs Cold limbs Poor appetite Pale complexion Vomiting of clear fluids Preference for warm drinks and foods Epigastric pain relieved with pressure or eating
Xiao Jian Zhong Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold. This pattern leads to symptoms such as epigastric pain relieved with pressure or eating, poor appetite, preference for warm drinks and foods and vomiting of clear fluids. Patients with Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold typically exhibit deep (Chen), slow (Chi) or weak (Ruo) pulses.
Also called Stomach Yang Deficiency, this pattern is normally associated with Spleen-Yang Deficiency, which leads to Internal Cold, resulting in cold limbs, loose stools, vomiting of clear fluids, no thirst, preference for warm drinks and foods and a Weak pulse.
When Stomach Qi is deficient, it may... read more about Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold
The Small Intestine is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Small Intestine in Chinese Medicine
Small Intestine Deficient and Cold
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Symptoms: Diarrhea Borborygmi Cold limbs Desire for hot drinks Pale and abudant urination Abdominal pain alleviated by pressure
Xiao Jian Zhong Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Small Intestine Deficient and Cold. This pattern leads to symptoms such as borborygmi, abdominal pain alleviated by pressure, desire for hot drinks and diarrhea. Patients with Small Intestine Deficient and Cold typically exhibit deep (Chen), slow (Chi) or weak (Ruo) pulses.
This is an Interior pattern of Deficiency and Cold.
It almost always is paired with Spleen Yang Deficiency, so much that it's difficult to distinguish these two patterns. The surest sign the Small Intestine is involved is the presence of borborygmi (gurgling noise made by the movement of Fluid in... read more about Small Intestine Deficient and Cold
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