Liu Miao Yin for Damp-Heat Vomiting

Liu Miao Yin (Six-Marvel Drink) comes from the Ming-dynasty physician Sun Wenyin's Dantai Yu'an (Jade Records of the Cinnabar Platform). Composition: Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), Banxia (Pinelliae Rhizoma, processed with ginger and alum), Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma, stir-fried in ginger juice), Zhiren (Gardeniae Fructus, stir-fried in wine), and Binglang (Arecae Semen), each 3 qian (9 g), plus Lao Shengjiang (old fresh ginger) 5 qian (15 g).

This is a decoction. Method: decoct in water, strain, and take warm, twice daily. Its action is to clear heat, transform dampness, regulate qi, and harmonize the stomach. It treats internal accumulation of damp-heat with disharmony of stomach qi, incessant vomiting, thirst, and fever.

Liu Miao Yin is a very effective formula for reflux gastritis. In it, Chenpi and Banxia are excellent antiemetics; Huanglian has a specific effect on gastroenteritis; Zhiren relieves symptoms such as damp-heat with dark urine; Binglang regulates qi and disperses distension; old ginger harmonizes the stomach and stops vomiting. Used together, the herbs treat both root and branch, rapidly relieving acid regurgitation, nausea, gastric distension, and stomach pain caused by reflux gastritis and acute gastroenteritis.

Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, taking targeted drugs, or even taking some antitumor Chinese medicines also often develop these symptoms; they may take this formula alongside.

Patients with chronic reflux esophagitis or reflux gastritis who frequently have acid regurgitation, heartburn, and vomiting may, on the basis of this formula, add Wuzeigu (Sepiae Endoconcha) 9 g and Baiji (Bletillae Rhizoma) 9 g, and take the decoction. Or, keeping the proportions, grind all herbs to a fine powder and make honey pills or water pills long-term (those allergic to honey should use only water pills). Those with accompanying anxiety may combine Erzhi Wan, which has an anti-anxiety effect.