A "warm the center, move qi, transform dampness" digestive formula from the Qing dynasty, the formula of choice in TCM practice for the "weak stomach with cold and damp stagnation" presentation.
Cultural reference - how this formula has been discussed in Chinese medical tradition. Not medical advice.
Background & origin
Compiled in the Qing dynasty compendium "Golden Mirror of Medicine" (《医宗金鉴》) as a warming-digestive tonic for chronic "weak stomach" presentations. In Japan, the related Kōsha-rikkunsi-tō (香砂六君子湯) is sold by Kracie as the standard OTC for "weak stomach, bloating, post-meal discomfort". In Korea it appears as Hyangsa-yangwi-hwan (향사양위환) in the Kyungdong hanbang line.
From the source text
This page is cultural documentation, not medical advice.
From the source text · 卷一·删补名医方论·香砂养胃丸方论
Classical text
香砂养胃丸，温中和胃，理气化湿。主治胃阳不足，湿阻气滞之胃痛、痞满。症见胃痛隐隐，脘腹胀满，呕吐酸水，不思饮食，四肢倦怠。
Modern Chinese rendering
香砂养胃丸，温中和胃，理气化湿。用于胃阳不足、湿阻气滞所致的胃痛、痞满，症见胃痛隐隐、脘腹胀满、呕吐酸水、不思饮食、四肢倦怠。这是《医宗金鉴》在香砂六君子汤基础上加香附、藿香、白芍、当归等药演化而来的"温中健胃"代表方：原香砂六君子汤补气健脾理气，再加香附疏肝理气、藿香化湿和中、白芍缓急止痛、当归养血和络，使全方由"补气理气"扩展为"温中、行气、化湿、养胃"四联兼顾，对应"胃寒 + 腹胀 + 食欲不振 + 饭后不适"这一典型慢性胃病表现，是现代中医消化门诊"脾胃虚寒夹气滞"最常被引用的方剂之一。
Editorial translation
Xiangsha Yangwei Wan warms the center and harmonizes the stomach, regulates qi and transforms dampness. It is the formula of choice for stomach-yang insufficiency with damp obstruction and qi stagnation patterns of stomach pain and glomus fullness: faint stomach pain, epigastric and abdominal distension, vomiting of sour fluid, lack of desire to eat, and fatigue of the four limbs. This is the canonical "warm the center and nourish the stomach" formula in the Golden Mirror of Medicine, evolved from the Xiangsha Liujunzi Tang base by the addition of cyperus (Xiāng Fù) to course the liver and regulate qi, agastache (Huò Xiāng) to transform dampness and harmonize the center, white peony (Bái Sháo) to relax urgency and stop pain, and Chinese angelica (Dāng Guī) to nourish blood and harmonize the network vessels. The full formula thus expands from the original "tonify qi and regulate qi" pattern into a four-pronged "warm the center, move qi, transform dampness, nourish the stomach" combination that addresses the typical chronic gastric presentation of "stomach cold + abdominal distension + poor appetite + post-meal discomfort", and is one of the most frequently cited formulas in modern TCM digestive clinics for the "spleen-stomach cold and damp with qi stagnation" pattern.
In tradition
In TCM tradition, associated with the "spleen-stomach cold and damp with qi stagnation" pattern: poor appetite, abdominal fullness, nausea, belching, loose stools, a heavy sensation in the body, and a tendency to feel worse in cold or damp weather. It is one of the most commonly suggested formulas for the "I can't eat cold food, I bloat after meals, and I feel heavy all over" patient, frequently discussed in the context of chronic gastritis and functional dyspepsia in TCM clinics.
Formula composition
Monarch4
- White atractylodes (Bái Zhú / 白术)
- Poria (Fú Líng / 茯苓)
- Cyperus rhizome (Xiāng Fù / 香附)
- Amomum fruit (Shā Rén / 砂仁)
Minister4
- Pinellia rhizome, processed (Bàn Xià / 半夏)
- Tangerine peel (Chén Pí / 陈皮)
- Aucklandia root (Mù Xiāng / 木香)
- Agastache (Huò Xiāng / 藿香)
Assistant3
- Bitter orange (Zhǐ Shí / 枳实)
- Cardamom fruit (Dòu Kòu / 豆蔻)
- Magnolia bark, ginger-processed (Jiāng Zhì Hòu Pò / 姜厚朴)
Envoy3
- Licorice root (Gān Cǎo / 甘草)
- Ginger (Shēng Jiāng / 生姜)
- Chinese date (Dà Zǎo / 大枣)
International availability
Japan (Kampo)
- Tsumura & Co.ツムラOTC香砂養胃湯Kōsha-yōi-tō
Korea (Hanbang)
- Kyungdong경동OTC향사양위탕Hyangsa-yangwi-tang
Taiwan & Hong Kong
- 順天堂OTC香砂養胃丸Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan
Cautions & context
- Not appropriate for active fever, acute infection, or what TCM describes as "yin deficiency with fire" patterns, the formula is warming and drying.
- Contains pinellia, which is generally considered inappropriate during pregnancy unless under qualified guidance.
- Long-term daily use may over-warm the body in some constitutions, periodic breaks are typically recommended.
- Persistent abdominal pain, vomiting, blood in the stool, or significant weight loss requires medical evaluation before any herbal remedy is considered.
Related formulas
Other formulas from this text· "Golden Mirror of Medicine"
Other formulas by this contributor· Imperial Medical Academy (Wu Qian, ed.)
Related concerns
Concern · digestion
Digestion
Upper-abdominal heaviness, bloating, sour reflux, loose stools, traveler's stomach, and the aftermath of a meal that was richer, spicier, or larger than usual.
Editorial note
Compiled from "Golden Mirror of Medicine" (1742).
Last reviewed: July 18, 2026
Three layers of evidence
Classical source
≈ 300 years · "Golden Mirror of Medicine" (1742)
Pharmacopoeia indication
"Warm the middle and harmonize the stomach. Used for stomach yang insufficiency with damp obstruction and qi stagnation: stomach pain and glomus fullness, faint stomach pain, epigastric and abdominal distension, vomiting of sour fluid, lack of desire to eat, and fatigue of the four limbs."
Modern research status
As of 2026-07-18, a PubMed search using the formula name and the Latin / Korean / Japanese transliterations together with "systematic review" and "meta-analysis" did not identify a dedicated systematic review for this formula. Any clinical evidence that does exist is fragmented across small individual trials or covered in broad herbal-medicine umbrella reviews, which do not allow a per-formula evidence assessment; the absence of a dedicated SR is itself the relevant editorial fact here.
References
References reviewed on July 18, 2026 · PubMed search on 2026-07-18
- 01ClassicalWu Qian (吴谦) et al. (eds.), 《医宗金鉴·删补名医方论》 (Yī Zōng Jīn Jiàn · Shān Bǔ Míng Yī Fāng Lùn / Golden Mirror of Medicine · "Edited and Supplemented Formulas of Famous Physicians"), Qing dynasty, completed 1742, vol. 1, the section on Xiāng Shā Yǎng Wèi Wán being the canonical text for the "warm the center and nourish the stomach" variation of the Xiangsha Liujunzi Tang base, addressing the "stomach-yang insufficiency with damp obstruction and qi stagnation" pattern.
- 02TextbookDuan Fuqin (段富津) et al. (eds.), 《方剂学》 (Fāngjìxué / Textbook of Formulas), Shanghai Scientific and Technical Publishers, 1995, the standard modern university-level formula textbook in mainland China, with Xiāng Shā Yǎng Wèi Wán analysed as the representative "warm the center, regulate qi, transform dampness, nourish the stomach" formula for chronic "spleen-stomach cold and damp with qi stagnation" patterns.
- 03PharmacopoeiaChinese Pharmacopoeia Commission, 《中华人民共和国药典》 2020 年版一部 (Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Yàodiǎn, Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, 2020 Edition, Vol. I), China Medical Science Press, 2020, the official monograph for Xiāng Shā Yǎng Wèi Wán dosage forms, with the "functional indications" reading "温中和胃" (warm the middle and harmonize the stomach).