, Coptis chinensis 6g , Glycyrrhiza 6g , Zingiber officinale 6g , Curcuma zedoaria 6g.

, Coptis chinensis 6g , Glycyrrhiza 6g , Zingiber officinale 6g , Curcuma zedoaria 6g. 3. Spleen and Stomach Deficiency-Cold Syndrome Symptoms: fullness and distension in the stomach region, preference for warmth and pressure, nausea and vomiting, poor appetite, difficulty digesting food, fatigue and weakness, cold limbs, pale complexion, and loose stools. The tongue is pale red with a white, slippery coating, and the pulse is fine and weak. Treatment Principle: Warm the middle burner and strengthen the spleen, harmonize the stomach and reverse the upward flow of qi. Prescription: Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction, Fuzi Lizhong Decoction with modifications: Agarwood 6g, Amomum villosum 3g, Codonopsis pilosula 15g, Atractylodes macrocephala 10g, Poria cocos 10g, Glycyrrhiza 6g, Citrus reticulata peel 6g, Pinellia ternata 6g, fried Shenqu each 10g, Semen Lepidii 10g, Forsythia suspensa 15g, Alpinia officinarum 6g, Cyperus rotundus 6g, Fuzi 6g (decocted first), dried ginger 6g. 4. Spleen and Stomach Damp-Heat Syndrome Symptoms: stomach pain, chest tightness and nausea, dry mouth and bitter taste, halitosis, sticky sweat, or burning sensation around the anus. The tongue is red with a yellow, greasy coating; the tongue body is swollen with tooth marks on the edges; the pulse is slippery and rapid. Treatment Principle: Strengthen the spleen and harmonize the stomach, clear and drain damp-heat. Prescription: Banxia Xiexin Tang, Sanren Tang with modifications: Pinellia ternata 6g, Magnolia officinalis 10g, Amomum kravanh 10g, Prunus armeniaca kernel 10g, Coix seed 30g, Atractylodes lancea 10g, Citrus reticulata peel 6g, Glycyrrhiza 6g, Poria cocos 10g, Atractylodes macrocephala 10g, Scutellaria baicalensis 10g, Coptis chinensis 6g, Codonopsis pilosula 15g, Glycyrrhiza 6g, Zingiber officinale 6g. 5. Liver-Stomach Disharmony Syndrome Symptoms: distension and pain in the stomach region, radiating pain to both flanks and the back, bitter taste and acid regurgitation, vomiting and belching, irritability and easy anger; emotional stimulation exacerbates stomach pain. The tongue is red with a thin, white coating, and the pulse is wiry and slippery. Treatment Principle: Soothe the liver and regulate qi, harmonize the stomach and relieve pain. Prescription: Ganpi Hezheng Fang with modifications: Bupleurum chinense 10g, Fructus Aurantii Immaturus 10g, Paeonia lactiflora 10g, Glycyrrhiza 6g, Ligusticum chuanxiong 6g, Cyperus rotundus 6g, Salvia miltiorrhiza 10g, Agarwood 6g, Sophora flavescens 6g, Rheum palmatum 6g, Coptis chinensis 6g, Corydalis yanhusuo 10g, Melia azedarach 20g, Frankincense 6g, Myrrh 6g, dried ginger 6g, Taraxacum mongolicum 15g, Patrinia scabiosaefolia 15g. 6. Stomach Yin Deficiency Syndrome Symptoms: burning pain in the stomach, dry mouth and throat, constipation, emaciation, oral and lingual erosion, poor appetite, postprandial fullness, dry stools, dry heaving and belching, preference for cold drinks. The tongue is red with little coating, shiny like a mirror, sometimes with cracks or peeling coating, and the pulse is fine and rapid. Treatment Principle: Nourish yin and benefit the stomach. Prescription: Pei's Yangwei Tang with modifications: Glehnia root 10g, Ophiopogon japonicus 10g, Polygonatum odoratum 10g, Dendrobium 10g, White bean 30g, Pinellia ternata 6g, Scutellaria baicalensis 10g, Coptis chinensis 6g, Codonopsis pilosula 10g, Glycyrrhiza 6g, Jujube 4 pieces, Salvia miltiorrhiza 20g, Lily bulb 10g, Black plum 6g, Malt 20g. 7. Stagnation of Blood in the Stomach Meridians Syndrome Symptoms: long-standing, unrelenting stomach pain, fixed and tender to palpation, positive occult blood in stool or black stools; the tongue is dark red or purple, sometimes with ecchymoses, and the pulse is wiry and涩. Treatment Principle: Activate blood circulation and remove stasis, unblock the meridians and relieve pain. Prescription: Huoluo Xiaoling Dan, Shixiao San with modifications: Angelica sinensis 10g, Paeonia lactiflora 10g, Ligusticum chuanxiong 10g, Polygonatum kingianum 20g, Astragalus membranaceus 10g, Alpinia officinarum 6g, Frankincense 6g, Myrrh 6g, Sparganium stoloniferum 10g, Curcuma zedoaria 10g, Evodia rutaecarpa 6g, Lindera aggregata 10g, Typha angustifolia 6g, Five Spirit Resin 10g, Cinnamon 6g, Rehmannia glutinosa 10g, Gleditsia sinensis 10g, Salvia miltiorrhiza 20g, Agarwood 6g, Cardamom 6g. V. Analysis of Professor Pei Zhengxue’s Prescriptions Professor Pei Zhengxue believes that dietary indiscretion, liver qi invading the stomach, and spleen-stomach deficiency are the main causes of these diseases. The fundamental principle of treatment is to strengthen the spleen and tonify deficiency. Professor Pei often uses Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction and Banxia Xiexin Tang as the basic formulas for treating such conditions. Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction is derived from Liujunzi Decoction by adding agarwood and amomum, hence the name "Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction." In this formula, Codonopsis pilosula benefits qi and strengthens the spleen, nourishing the middle burner and the stomach—this serves as the chief herb; Atractylodes macrocephala strengthens the spleen and dries dampness; Poria cocos helps drain dampness and strengthen the spleen; Citrus reticulata peel and agarwood aromatically invigorate the spleen, regulating qi and relieving pain; Pinellia ternata transforms phlegm-dampness; Amomum villosum strengthens the spleen and harmonizes the stomach, regulating qi and dispelling cold; finally, Glycyrrhiza harmonizes all the herbs, thus the entire formula supports the spleen and treats the root cause while regulating qi and transforming phlegm. Banxia Xiexin Tang can adjust the dysfunction of the middle burner’s transformation and transportation, addressing issues where the flow of qi is obstructed and ascending and descending movements are impaired. Building upon Banxia Xiexin Tang, Professor Pei adds Paeonia lactiflora, Fructus Aurantii Immaturus (or crushed fruit), raw dragon bone, and raw oyster shell, among others. Paeonia lactiflora relieves urgency and stops pain; the shells regulate qi; raw dragon bone and raw oyster shell protect the gastric mucosa, forming Pei’s Banxia Xiexin Tang. Based on these two formulas, Professor Pei often combines them with other prescriptions according to syndrome differentiation during clinical practice.

1. Jianzhong Tang System Professor Pei frequently uses Xiao Jianzhong Tang and Da Jianzhong Tang to treat the aforementioned stomach ailments. Xiao Jianzhong Tang is made by doubling the amount of Paeonia lactiflora in Gui Zhi Tang and adding sugar. In this formula, sugar serves as the chief herb, replenishing spleen qi and alleviating urgency and pain, gently warming and strengthening the middle burner; Paeonia lactiflora and Glycyrrhiza sweeten and nourish yin; Gui Zhi and Glycyrrhiza warm yang and transform yin, so the entire formula emphasizes “sweetness,” highlighting Xiao Jianzhong Tang’s ability to soothe urgency and balance the middle burner. Additionally, adding Astragalus membranaceus to Xiao Jianzhong Tang enhances its qi-tonifying effect, resulting in Huangqi Jianzhong Tang; adding Angelica sinensis increases its blood-tonifying effect, creating Danggui Jianzhong Tang. Da Jianzhong Tang consists of Sichuan pepper, dried ginger, ginseng, and maltose, making it highly pungent and hot, unlike Xiao Jianzhong Tang. This formula focuses more on the upper burner, capable of stopping vomiting, whereas Xiao Jianzhong Tang cannot.
2. Wu Ling Si Stomach Medicine and Sanbai Tang Wu Ling Si Stomach Medicine is a specialized prescription developed by Professor Pei for treating stomach acid and stomach pain, composed of Cyperus rotundus, alum, Corydalis yanhusuo, and calcined Wulingzi. Cyperus rotundus and Corydalis yanhusuo treat various types of stomach pain, while alum (commonly used at 3g) and calcined Wulingzi neutralize acid, together achieving the effect of suppressing acid and relieving pain. Sanbai Tang is another prescription by Professor Pei for treating stomach pain, consisting of 30g of Paeonia lactiflora, 10g of Angelica dahurica, and 10g of Artemisia annua. Among them, Paeonia lactiflora is an excellent herb for relieving urgency and pain, Angelica dahurica treats both headaches and body aches as well as stomach pain, and Artemisia annua addresses abdominal pain caused by liver wood overcoming earth. This formula is mainly used for paroxysmal abdominal colic.
3. Prescription for Removing Blood Stasis and Relieving Pain Ancient texts have mentioned that blood stasis can lead to abdominal fullness and bloating, but no corresponding prescription has been proposed. In response to this situation, Professor Pei created two self-formulated prescriptions: one is Wudi Huangliangxiang, composed of Ligusticum chuanxiong, Paeonia lactiflora, Angelica sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus, Alpinia officinarum, and Cyperus rotundus. Ligusticum chuanxiong activates blood circulation and regulates qi, Paeonia lactiflora nourishes blood and regulates menstruation, relieving urgency and pain, Astragalus membranaceus tonifies qi, Alpinia officinarum warms the stomach and dispels cold to relieve pain, and Cyperus rotundus activates qi and relieves pain. This formula focuses on tonifying qi, nourishing blood, and unblocking the meridians. The other is Sanshu Wuwu Pu Huang Rou, composed of Sparganium stoloniferum, Curcuma zedoaria, Lindera aggregata, Evodia rutaecarpa, Typha angustifolia, and Cinnamomum cassia. Sparganium stoloniferum and Curcuma zedoaria break up blood stasis and activate qi to relieve pain, Lindera aggregata activates qi and dispels cold, Evodia rutaecarpa dispels cold and relieves pain, Typha angustifolia dissolves stasis, and Cinnamomum cassia warms yang, unblocks meridians, and relieves pain. This formula focuses on warming yang, removing stasis, and unblocking the meridians. Both of these formulas are used for blood-stasis-related stomach pain, dilated blood vessels under the tongue, and patients with wiry pulses. The introduction of the prescription for removing blood stasis and relieving pain represents an innovation in Professor Pei’s treatment of stomach ailments.
4. Fuzi Dahuang Tang For cold-type stomach pain, clinical differentiation further divides it into real-cold pain and virtual-cold pain. Virtual-cold pain manifests as stomach pain that prefers warmth and pressure, which can be addressed by the Jianzhong Tang system. However, for real-cold stomach pain, characterized by pain that resists palpation, the Jianzhong Tang system is less effective. In such cases, Professor Pei uses Dahuang Fuzi Tang, a formula originating from “Jin Kui Yao Lue,” composed of Rheum palmatum, Fuzi, and Asarum sieboldii. Clinically, Fuzi can be decocted first at 10g, followed by Rheum palmatum at 10g.
5. Pei’s Gallbladder-Pancreas Combination Formula In “Shanghan Lun” (Article 318), it is stated: “In Shaoyin disease, with four reverses, the patient may cough, palpitate, have difficulty urinating, experience abdominal pain, or suffer from diarrhea and severe abdominal discomfort; in such cases, Si Ni San is the primary treatment.” In “Shanghan Lun” (Article 165), it is written: “When fever due to Shanghan persists without relief, accompanied by chest tightness and hardening of the heart, along with vomiting and diarrhea, Da Chaihu Tang is the primary treatment.” Da Chaihu Tang treats combined Shaoyang and Yangming diseases, composed of Xiao Chaihu Tang minus Codonopsis pilosula and roasted Glycyrrhiza, plus Rheum palmatum and other ingredients. Based on these two formulas, Professor Pei formulated a famous Pei’s Gallbladder-Pancreas Combination Formula, consisting of Bupleurum chinense, Paeonia lactiflora, Fructus Aurantii Immaturus, roasted Glycyrrhiza, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Agarwood, Cardamom, Rheum palmatum, Coptis chinensis, Scutellaria baicalensis, Corydalis yanhusuo, Melia azedarach, Frankincense, Myrrh, Sichuan pepper, dried ginger, Taraxacum mongolicum, and Patrinia scabiosaefolia. The formula takes Bupleurum chinense, Paeonia lactiflora, Fructus Aurantii Immaturus, and roasted Glycyrrhiza as the Four Reverses, functioning to soothe the liver and regulate qi—these serve as the chief herbs. Liver stagnation can lead to three pathological changes: first, “liver wood overcomes earth,” addressed by Salvia miltiorrhiza, Agarwood, and Cardamom to strengthen the spleen and regulate qi; second, “liver stagnation turns into fire,” treated by Rheum palmatum, Coptis chinensis, and Scutellaria baicalensis to clear heat and dissipate fire; third, “stagnation of qi and blood stasis,” handled by Corydalis yanhusuo, Melia azedarach, Frankincense, and Myrrh to remove stasis. All three pairs of herbs serve as supporting agents. Finally, dried ginger and Melia azedarach disperse the cold of the Taiyin, while Taraxacum mongolicum and Patrinia scabiosaefolia eliminate toxic heat. Professor Pei often uses this formula to treat chronic cholecystitis and chronic pancreatitis, hence the name “Gallbladder-Pancreas Combination Formula.” Among them, Rheum palmatum, Coptis chinensis, Scutellaria baicalensis, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Agarwood, Cardamom, and Fructus Aurantii Immaturus form the core of the formula, referred to as the “Gallbladder-Pancreas Core Formula” (abbreviated as “Gallbladder Core”). Adding Bupleurum chinense, Paeonia lactiflora, and roasted Glycyrrhiza creates the “Gallbladder Two-Core.” Pei’s Gallbladder-Pancreas Combination Formula can also treat chronic gastritis, especially bile reflux gastritis, with symptoms such as stomach fullness, pain, discomfort, and irritability serving as key diagnostic points. It is particularly emphasized that Fructus Aurantii Immaturus must be crushed and Rheum palmatum added later during clinical application, to maintain bowel movements three to four times daily. Regarding typical clinical symptoms of stomach diseases, Professor Pei Zhengxue, through years of clinical experience, has summarized numerous personal treatment methods and viewpoints:
6. Stomach bloating is the most common symptom of chronic stomach disease. Based on classical prescriptions and combined with his own clinical experience, Professor Pei has developed a treatment system specifically for stomach bloating, with three main approaches: (1) Treating based on reality. According to “Jin Kui Yao Lue,” “If abdominal fullness does not decrease, or decreases insufficiently, then Da Chengqi Tang is the primary treatment”; it is also said, “If pressing on the lower abdomen reveals fullness, this indicates a real condition, requiring immediate treatment, preferably with Da Chaihu Tang.” Professor Pei believes that Da Chengqi Tang is the representative formula for treating Yangming organ fullness, composed of Bupleurum chinense, Scutellaria baicalensis, Pinellia ternata, Paeonia lactiflora, Rheum palmatum, and other ingredients. Clinically, the key diagnostic criteria are bloating, fullness, dryness, and solidity. Both Da Chengqi Tang and Da Chaihu Tang use purgative methods to treat actual stomach bloating, but the difference is that Da Chengqi Tang treats fullness throughout the entire abdomen, while Da Chaihu Tang focuses on bloating in the lower abdomen, capable of relieving gallbladder heat and promoting qi circulation, with a stronger effect on unblocking the three jiaos than Da Chengqi Tang. In addition, for real stomach bloating, Professor Pei also frequently uses Shi Daozhi Tang, Xiao Dan Shen Yin, Ji Shu Tang, San Huang Xiexin Tang, and other modified formulas. (2) Treating based on mixed reality and virtuality. Professor Pei often uses Houpu Ginger Pinellia Glycyrrhiza Ginseng Soup. According to “Shanghan Lun” (Article 66), “After sweating, if there is abdominal bloating, Houpu Ginger Pinellia Glycyrrhiza Ginseng Soup is the primary treatment.” In this formula, Houpu is used in large quantities, while ginseng is used in small quantities, reflecting a virtual-real mixed condition, with symptoms such as stomach bloating that worsens in the afternoon. Similar formulas include Shi Xiao Pi Wan, composed of Fructus Aurantii Immaturus, Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, roasted Glycyrrhiza, malt, Shenqu, Houpu, dried ginger, and Coptis chinensis. In addition, “Su Wen · Zhizhen Yaodalu Lun” states, “All dampness and swelling belong to the spleen.” Currently, abdominal bloating caused by dampness obstruction in the middle burner is becoming increasingly common. Based on his clinical experience, Professor Pei has formulated a prescription for dehumidification, qi regulation, and treatment of abdominal bloating, namely Sanren Heji (mnemonic: “Big winter melon skin fragrant, three cinnamons and su ren bing”), composed of big belly skin, winter melon skin, agarwood, Atractylodes macrocephala, Ze Xie, Poria cocos, Scutellaria baicalensis, perilla stem, political ren, and betel nut. Among them, big belly skin and perilla stem regulate qi and broaden the middle burner, winter melon skin and betel nut promote qi and diuresis, agarwood regulates qi and aids digestion, Atractylodes macrocephala strengthens the spleen and benefits qi, Ze Xie promotes diuresis and drains dampness, Poria cocos and political ren strengthen the spleen and drain dampness. Clinically, this formula is used for patients with stomach bloating, greasy tongue coating, obesity, and sticky stools. For dampness-related bloating, Pingwei San and Weiling Tang can also be used. (3) Treating based on virtuality. According to “Shanghan Lun” (Article 273), “The illness of Taiyin is abdominal bloating and vomiting, with inability to eat, self-benefit being very strong...” According to “Shanghan Lun” (Article 277), “Self-benefit without thirst belongs to Taiyin, because the organs are cold, so they need to be warmed, preferably with Lizhong Si Ni class of medicines.” According to “Jin Kui Yao Lue · Abdominal Fullness, Cold Hernia, Chronic Food Disease Pulse and Syndrome Treatment Chapter Ten,” “If the Yang pulse is weak and wiry, it should be considered abdominal pain, and those who do not feel full will definitely have difficulty defecating, with pain in both flanks—this is virtual cold coming from below and above, so they should be treated with warming medicines…” Professor Pei often uses Si Junzi Tang to treat spleen-stomach qi-deficiency type stomach bloating. For spleen yang not rising causing stomach bloating, with symptoms such as worsening bloating after eating accompanied by diarrhea, fatigue, and weak pulse, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang can also be used, in which case the amount of Astragalus membranaceus should be small. For virtual-cold stomach bloating, Houpu Wen Zhong Tang with modifications is often used. At the same time, Professor Pei believes that tonifying kidney yang can warm the middle burner and eliminate bloating, which is another characteristic of his treatment for virtual-cold stomach bloating. He has also formulated a self-made formula called Huoyang Heji, composed of Fenugreek, Epimedium, Psoralea corylifolia, Yangqi Stone, Snake Bed Seed, Caraway, Lindera aggregata, and Betel Nut. Among them, Fenugreek, Epimedium, Psoralea corylifolia, and Yangqi Stone tonify kidney yang and warm the body, while Caraway, Lindera aggregata, and Betel Nut warm the middle burner and regulate qi, Snake Bed Seed detoxifies, kills insects, warms the kidneys, dispels cold, and removes wind, collectively achieving the effect of warming the kidneys and assisting yang.
7. Nausea, Vomiting, and Hiccups Professor Pei believes that, from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, hiccups, and regurgitation are often caused by factors like stomach cold, stomach heat, external pathogenic factors, mixed cold and heat, and obstruction of the cardia. For stomach cold-related hiccups, it is necessary to distinguish between real and virtual conditions; for virtual cases, Xuanfu Dai Zhe Tang is often used, which is the preferred formula for treating hiccups caused by spleen-stomach deficiency-cold. Besides Xuanfu Dai Zhe Tang, Chenpi Zhuru Tang, Dingxiang Shidi San, and Wu Zhu Yu Tang are also commonly used. Among them, for nausea and vomiting caused by radiotherapy and chemotherapy in cancer patients, Professor Pei has more opportunities to use Chenpi Zhuru Tang; for hiccups caused by stomach deficiency and liver cold water reversal, Professor Pei often uses Wu Zhu Yu Tang. For real cases, Professor Pei often uses Pei’s Four Anti-Hiccups, namely Agarwood, Clove, Perilla Stem, and Cardamom. Among them, Agarwood regulates qi and relieves pain, warms the middle burner and stops hiccups; Clove warms the middle burner and reverses the upward flow of qi, while also warming the kidneys and assisting yang; Perilla Stem broadens the chest and clears the diaphragm, facilitating qi flow and stopping hiccups; Cardamom warms the middle burner and regulates qi. When used appropriately, this formula works as effectively as a drumbeat. For stomach heat-related hiccups, Professor Pei often uses three classic formulas: Zhuye Shigao Tang, Da Huang Glycyrrhiza Tang, and Da Chaihu Tang. For hiccups caused by external pathogenic factors, Xiao Chaihu Tang is often used. According to “Jin Kui Yao Lue · Vomiting, Spitting, Hissing, and Diarrhea Disease Pulse and Syndrome Treatment Chapter Seventeen,” “If vomiting is accompanied by fever, Xiao Chaihu Tang is the primary treatment.” This kind of vomiting is caused by evil attacking the Shaoyang, a semi-surface, semi-deep level of vomiting. For hiccups caused by mixed cold and heat, Coptis chinensis Tang is often used. According to “Shanghan Lun” (Article 173), “When suffering from Shanghan, there is heat in the chest, evil in the stomach, abdominal pain, and a desire to vomit, Coptis chinensis Tang is the primary treatment.” Professor Pei has further commented on this passage, stating, “The chest is the stomach, and the stomach is the intestines,” meaning that the desire to vomit arises from upper heat and lower cold. The Banxia Xiexin Tang, Gancao Xiexin Tang, and Shengjiang Xiexin Tang in “Shanghan Lun” all involve upper heat and lower cold, with the disease located in the middle burner. Clinically, this manifests as chest tightness, but Coptis chinensis Tang does not cause chest tightness. For hiccups caused by obstruction of the cardia, which are often seen in cardia cancer and cardia achalasia syndrome, Professor Pei has created a special formula called Three Pair Combination, consisting of Salvia miltiorrhiza, Agarwood, Amomum villosum, Sparganium stoloniferum, Curcuma zedoaria, Cyperus rotundus, Shell, Houpu, Chonglou, Pinellia ternata, Coptis chinensis, Wu Zhu Yu, Melia azedarach, and Fructus Aurantii Immaturus. This formula is highly effective in treating hiccups caused by cardia achalasia, and for hiccups and obstructions caused by cardia cancer, it not only alleviates symptoms but also exerts a certain control over tumor development. He believes that “everything inside manifests externally,” meaning that any discomfort in the body, as perceived through observation, listening, questioning, and palpation in traditional Chinese medicine, is merely an external manifestation of internal yin-yang imbalance. Adjusting these external manifestations is, in fact, adjusting the internal yin-yang balance. Professor Pei vividly compares this principle to theories such as “all syndrome differentiation treats the root cause,” “treating the symptom is treating the root cause,” “leaf knows autumn,” and “encircle and attack.”
8. Loss of Appetite and Anorexia Professor Pei believes that, in terms of treating loss of appetite and anorexia, traditional Chinese medicine has advantages over Western medicine. In addition to Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction, the choice of prescription can also be made based on the following five main aspects: (1) Overeating and anorexia: Symptoms include post-overeating restlessness, abdominal bloating, nausea, and a thick, yellow, greasy tongue coating, with a slippery pulse. Use Baohe Tang. (2) Dampness obstruction in the middle burner: Symptoms include loss of appetite, fullness and discomfort in the stomach area, heaviness and fatigue, unsatisfactory bowel movements, and a greasy tongue coating with a slippery pulse. Use Pingwei San.