Functions
According to traditional Chinese medicine, Jian Pi Yin strengthens the spleen, induces appetite and digestion, and terminates diarrhea. This herbal formula is mainly used to treat distention and fullness of the stomach and abdomen, anorexia, loose stools, yellowish coating of the tongue, and a weak pulse due to weakness of the spleen and stomach and indigestion.
Dosage Info
Large honeyed pill: 9g/pill, one pill, once a day. Small honeyed pill: 9g each time, twice a day. All are taken with warm water. The dosage is reduced for children according to conditions.
Ingredients
Precautions
It is contraindicated for those with excessive heat to take the drug.
Pharmacology
Anti-aging effects: This formula’s effects on the life span of fruit flies were studied. Jian Pi Yin consisted of Ren Shen (Ginseng), Chen Pi (Citrus), Mai Ya (Malt), Shan Zha (Crataegus), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Fu Ling (Poria), Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven), Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Rou Kou (Nutmeg), Mu Xiang (Aucklandia Root), Gan Cao (Licorice), and Huang Qi (Astragalus Root). Vitamin E was used as a comparison. The results showed that Jian Pi Yin could prolong the average life span of fruit flies. Its effects are similar to that of vitamin E (P
Clinical Applications
Treating anorexia
Liao Wen Hua, et al. used Jian Pi Yin to treat 144 cases of anorexia in children. The formula consisted of Tai Zi Shen (Pseudostellaria Root), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Chao Yi Ren (cooked Coix Seed), Shan Zha (Crataegus), Ji Nei Jin (Chicken’s Gizzard-Skin), Du Jiao Jin, Fa Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber), and Chen Pi (Citrus). The formula was modified according to each patient’s symptoms. The decoction was taken orally as 1 dose a day, in 3 to 4 separate administrations. One month constituted one therapeutic course of treatment. The results showed that 98 cases had recovered, 42 cases had improved, and 4 cases had not improved. The total effectiveness rate was 97.2%. (1)
Treating diarrhea
Xiong Zhi Fa used modified Jian Pi Yin to treat 300 cases of diarrhea in children. 117 cases directly related to overeating were treated with Chao Shen Qu (cooked Medicated Leaven), Chao Mai Ya (cooked Malt), Chao Shan Zha (cooked Crataegus), Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Fu Ling (Poria), Mu Xiang (Aucklandia Root), Chen Pi (Citrus), Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit), and Zhi Gan Cao (prepared Licorice). 84 cases of summer heat were treated with Ge Geng (Pueraria Root), Huang Lian (Coptis Root), Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root), Ren Shen (Ginseng), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Fu Ling (Poria), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Mai Ya (Malt), Mu Xiang (Aucklandia Root), and Zhi Gan Cao (prepared Licorice). 99 cases of spleen insufficiency were treated. The herbs used included Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Fu Ling (Poria), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Rou Kou (Nutmeg), Jiao Shan Zha (processed Crataegus), Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven), Chao Mai Ya (cooked Malt), Chen Pi (Citrus), Mu Xiang (Aucklandia Root), Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit), Zhi Fu Zi (prepared Aconite Root), and Zhi Gan Cao (prepared Licorice). The results showed that 258 cases had been resolved, 27 cases had improved, and 15 cases had not shown improvement. (2)
Treating infertility due to a low sperm count
Jiang Zhen Wen used modified Jian Pi Yin to treat 40 cases of infertility due to a low sperm count. The herbs used included Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Fu Ling (Poria), Jiao Yu Ya, Jiao Mai Ya (Malt), Jiao Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven), Mu Xiang, Chen Pi, Yan Dou Kou, Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Huang Lian (Coptis), and Gan Cao (Licorice). For loose stools, Shan Yao and Dou Kou were removed, and Su Gen and Bin Lang were added. For patients with mass at the right hypochondrium, Fo Shou and Gan Song were added. If the coating of the tongue was thick and greasy, then Cang Zhu and Hou Pu were added. For chest suffocation and fullness in hypochondrium, Si Ni San was used in combination. For deficiency of the spleen and stomach qi, Gan Jiang (Dry Ginger) was added. During the administration of Jian Pi Yin, the patients were asked to avoid excessive sexual activity and foods that are raw, cold, or oily. They were also asked to regulate their moods. After 56 days of treatment, the following results were obtained. In 32 cases, sperm count reached 0.9 to1.0 x 108, activity rate ranged between 70 and 80%, and the patient’s activity energy levels were improved. In 6 cases, the sperm count reached 0.7 to 0.9 x 108, activity rate ranged between 70 and 80%, and the activity energy levels were good. In 2 cases, sperm count reached 0.1 to 0.2 x 108, the activity rate was 60%, and the activity energy levels were relatively poor. (3)
Treating duodenal stasis
Wang Guan Qin used modified Jian Pi Yin to treat 33 cases of duodenal stasis. The formula consisted of Ren Shen (Ginseng), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven), Mai Ya (Malt), Shan Zha (Crataegus), Da Huang (Rhubarb), Fu Ling (Poria), Chen Pi (Citrus), Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit), Rou Kou (Nutmeg), Mu Xiang (Aucklandia Root), Gan Cao (Licorice), and Huang Lian (Coptis Root). For food accumulation in the stomach and intestine, Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange) was added. For heat accumulation in the stomach, Pu Gong Ying (Dandelion) was added. For the hyperactive liver-qi attacking the stomach, Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Xiang Fu (Cyperus), Yu Jin (Curcuma Root), and Qing Pi (Blue Citrus) were added. For qi deficiency of the spleen and stomach, Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga Rhizome), Dang Shen (Chinese Angelica Root), Da Zao (Chinese Date), and Sheng Jiang (Ginger) were added. One dose of the decoction was taken orally every other day. The results showed that 19 cases were resolved, 11 cases had significant improvement, and 3 had no improvement. The total effectiveness rate was 91%. (4)
Treating dysfunction of spleen and stomach
Zhang Jian and others used Jian Pi Yin to treat 27 cases of dysfunctional spleen and stomach among the elderly with bone impairments. The formula consisted of Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Mu Xiang (Aucklandia Root), Huang Lian (Coptis Root), Gan Cao (Licorice), Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven), Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit), Chen Pi (Citrus), Mai Ya (Malt), Shan Zha (Crataegus), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Rou Kou (Nutmeg), and Ren Shen (Ginseng) (decocted separately). If the condition belonged to the cold type of dysfunctional spleen and stomach, Huang Lian (Coptis Root) was removed and Gan Giang (Dried Ginger) was added. For hard stools, Rou Kou (Nutmeg) and Shan Yao (Chinese Yam) were removed and Da Huang (Rhubarb) was added (to be decocted later). For slight food accumulation, Shan Zha (Crataegus) and Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven) were removed. For a distending pain in hypochondrium and disorder of the liver-qi, Su Geng (Perilla Stem) and cyperus tuber (Rhizoma Cyperi) were added. For purplish tongue or ecchymosis, Dan Shen (Salvia) was added. The 300 ml decoction was taken orally once a day, divided into 2 to 3 administrations. After 5 to 10 doses, the results showed that 10 cases had significantly improved, 13 cases had somewhat improved, and 4 cases had not improved. The total effectiveness rate was 85%. (5)
Other Treatments
Lu Hong Yu, et al. used modified Jian Pi Yin to treat one case of constipation due to qi deficiency and one case of chronic pancreatitis with substantial therapeutic effects. The formula consisted of Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Mu Xiang (Aucklandia Root), Huang Lian (Coptis Root), Gan Cao (Licorice), Fu Ling (Poria), Ren Shen (Ginseng), parched Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven), Chen Pi (Citrus), Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit), Chao Mai Ya (cooked Malt), Shan Zha (Crataegus), and Shan Yao (Chinese Yam). (6)
References
- Liao Wen Hua, et al. Treating 144 cases of child eating disorders with Jian Pi Yin. China Journal of TCM Theories. 1999;5:168.
- Xiong Zhi Fa. Treating 300 cases of child diarrhea with modified Jian Pi Wan. Journal of Chengdu College TMC. 1986;(3):29-30.
- Jiang Zhi Wen, et al. Treating 40 cases of infertility due to oligospermatism with Jian Pi Wan. Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1989;24(12):544.
- Wang Guan Jin. Treating 33 cases of duodenal stasis with Jian Pi Wan. National Journal of Medicine Forum. 1995;10(5):41.
- Zhang Jian, et al. Using Jian Pi Wan to treat 27 cases of dysfunction of the spleen and stomach among the elderly with bone impairment. Gansu Journal of TCM. 1997;10(1):27-28.
- Lu Hong Yu, et al. New usages of Jian Pi Wan. Journal of New TCM. 1992;24(11):44-45.
