Ban Xia Hou Po Tang

Ban Xia Hou Po Tang from Empirical Health is a classical Chinese herbal formula powder, based on the traditional Ban Xia Hou Po Tang (Pinellia and Magnolia Bark Decoction), originating from Zhang Zhong-jing’s Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet, ~3rd century AD).

This foundational formula descends rebellious Qi, transforms phlegm, disperses nodules, and relieves chest oppression. In modern Western terms, it supports healthy esophageal and throat function, helps maintain normal mucus clearance and relaxation of smooth muscle in the upper digestive tract, promotes comfort during phlegm obstruction with emotional constraint, and assists with symptom relief in cases of “plum-pit Qi” (mei he qi)—making it particularly useful for patterns of phlegm-Qi stagnation in the throat and chest, such as the sensation of a lump or foreign body in the throat that cannot be swallowed or expectorated (often worse with stress or emotion), chest oppression or tightness, sighing, difficulty swallowing, nausea, cough with sticky phlegm, irritability, hypochondriac distention, or a greasy tongue coating with a wiry/slippery pulse, commonly seen in globus pharyngeus, functional dysphagia, stress-related throat tightness, chronic pharyngitis with emotional factors, or mild GERD with phlegm-emotion components in TCM terms.

Key Ingredients (classical composition):

• Ban Xia (Prepared Pinellia Rhizome) – transforms phlegm, descends rebellious Qi, and disperses nodules.
• Hou Po (Magnolia Bark) – moves Qi downward, disperses fullness, and relieves chest oppression.
• Fu Ling (Poria) – drains dampness and transforms phlegm.
• Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger) – harmonizes the Stomach, disperses cold, and assists in descending Qi.
• Zi Su Ye (Perilla Leaf) – moves Qi and harmonizes the middle jiao.

Preparation suggestion: Place 1 tsp (~5 g) of powder into 100 ml of boiling water, let cool, strain and drink warm. Drink twice daily, or as otherwise directed by your healthcare professional.

Storage: Keep in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Seal tightly after opening.

This product contains no preservatives or artificial additives. Use under the guidance of your practitioner—this provides classical, effective support for phlegm-Qi stagnation patterns involving throat lump sensation, chest oppression, sighing, emotional stress-related digestive discomfort, and related “plum-pit Qi” concerns in a professional setting.