Digestion & Elimination

Comparative take on Baohe wan

By Markov ⋅ September 27, 2009 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

保和丸，治一切食积。 (line from 《丹溪心法》)

Baohe wan is a medical formula created by Zhu Danxi used to treat what is termed food stagnation (食积). Especially useful if one feels a bloating sensation in the stomach after a meal, a sign of possible indigestion. We already have the TCM explanation for this formula make-up. It would hence be more useful for readers if we compare the ingredient of Baohe Wan with their biopharmaceutical peers.

The original formula is made up of three broad categories of herbs. The first are the digestives, akin to the enzymes e.g. protease, lipase, amylase that we use to aid digestion. Shanzha (山楂), also known for helping weight loss and treating high blood lipids, is known traditionally to digest meats. Laifuzi (莱菔子) is the seed of radish, and is known for breaking down wheat – remember, this is usually wheat in bread and noodles – read up on GRAINS to get a clearer picture. Last of all, we have shenqu (神曲) which if simplified is a cocktail of enzymes.

In today’s formulations of baohe wan, we also see other herbs being included, most common of which is maiya (麦芽). Zhishi (枳实)and baishu (白术) are also wont to be thrown into the mix.

“人有食积，必生痰湿。” (He who is wrought with food stagnation, will produce phelgm and damp.)

In TCM, there is a saying that when there is food stagnation, phlegm-stagnation will appear. Which is why the second group of is erchen tang (二陈汤) but without licorice。

“食积日久则易生热。” (Food stagnation over time will generate heat.)

There is also another idea that the long-term result of food stagnation is heat generation. This is understandable, as in the case of chronic gastritis, where there is slight inflammation of the stomach lining. The original formula uses lianqiao (连翘) in response. These days, the solution would be the use of antacids like aluminium hydroxide (to reduce acidity and further inflammation) in tandem with magnesium hydroxide (to take away the intestinal side effects of aluminium).

That said, there is an obvious difference between the use of lianqiao as an anti-inflammatory and the use of antacids to neutralize excess acid production. One can read up on content by alternative medicine practitioners who believe that the problem is not excess acid production in the stomach; instead they believe it is the lack of acid production.

As mentioned above, qi regulators like houpu (厚朴) and zhishi (枳实) are thrown in to regulate qi and take away any bloating. While there is not clear connection, we can liken this to the use of anti-flatulent medications like simethicone (西甲硅油) or to gastroprokinetics like mosapride (莫沙必利) or cisapride (西沙必利).

Popularity: 4% [?]