Jianpi Paste for Pediatric Malnutrition

Because children have weak constitutions, a weak stomach and intestines, and poor digestion, they may eat little and lack energy, develop poorly, and easily suffer vomiting and diarrhea, making it hard for them to gain weight. In TCM this belongs to spleen deficiency, and treatment should focus on fortifying the spleen. Jianpi Paste (Spleen-Fortifying Paste) fortifies the spleen and nourishes the stomach, aids digestion and promotes transport, and has a certain effect on children with spleen-deficiency poor appetite and emaciation.

Jianpi Paste originates from the Quanguo Zhongchenyao Chufang Ji (National Collection of Chinese Patent Medicine Prescriptions); it is an empirical formula developed by contemporary TCM practitioners. Its composition is as follows: Dangshen (Codonopsis Radix) 90g, Huaishanyao (Dioscoreae Rhizoma) 180g, Qianshi (Euryales Semen) 180g, Yunfuling (Poria) 180g, Biandou (Dolichoris Lablab Semen) 180g, Lianzi (Nelumbinis Semen) 180g, Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium) 45g, Shijunzi (Quisqualis Fructus) 180g, Nuomi (glutinous rice) 810g, Jingmi (non-glutinous rice) 1890g, Yiyiren (Coicis Semen) 180g, Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) 60g.

Stir-fry the above herbs together lightly until fragrant, then grind them into a fine powder. Separately steam the glutinous rice and non-glutinous rice until cooked, sun-dry, then fry until puffed and grind into a fine powder; mix well with the herbal powders, adding 7.5kg of white sugar. Use molds to press into blocks and dry. Take 3–6g each time, 2–3 times daily, adjusted according to the child's age and weight.

There are many causes of pediatric indigestion. Some children have a congenital poor digestive capacity; some have had a major illness—such as cancer—after treatment of which the digestive system is affected and can no longer absorb nutrients like a healthy child; some have intestinal parasites.

In this formula, Dangshen, Huaishanyao, Fuling, Biandou, Nuomi, Jingmi, Yiyiren, and Baizhu are all spleen-fortifying herbs. Shijunzi kills parasites and fortifies the spleen; Qianshi, Biandou, and Lianzi also astringe the intestines and stop diarrhea; Chenpi moves qi and dispels distension. Used together, the formula achieves fortification of the spleen, parasite expulsion, diarrhea cessation, and qi regulation.