Pipa Powder: Benefiting the Stomach, Descending Counterflow, and Stopping Vomiting

Pipa San (Loquat Leaf Powder) originates from the Gujin Yijian (Mirror of Medical Matters, Ancient and Modern). Its composition is: Pipaye (loquat leaf, hairs removed) and Juhong (tangerine peel) each 1 liang (30g), Banxia (Pinellia, soaked in broth), Chifuling (red Poria, peeled), and Renshen (ginseng) each 5 qian (15g), Maimendong (Ophiopogon, core removed) and Qingzhuru (green bamboo shavings) each 1 liang 2 qian (36g), and Gancao (Glycyrrhiza) 4 qian (12g). Preparation: file the above herbs into coarse powder; take 5 qian (15g) each time, add 3 slices of Shengjiang (fresh ginger), and decoct with 300ml water down to 150ml, strain out the dregs, and take on an empty stomach. The formula's action is to benefit the stomach and descend counterflow; it mainly treats incessant retching and vomiting caused by stomach vacuity.

This is a prescription for nausea and vomiting. What TCM calls ouyue (retching and vomiting) roughly corresponds to modern diseases such as reflux gastritis and reflux esophagitis. In this formula, Pipaye, Juhong, Banxia, and Qingzhuru all resolve phlegm and descend counterflow; Renshen, Fuling, and Gancao fortify the spleen; Maimendong nourishes yin and moistens the lung, benefiting the stomach and generating fluids. Used together, it fortifies the spleen and benefits the stomach, descends counterflow and stops vomiting. Qingzhuru and Maimendong also clear heat, so such patients often have a burning sensation in the stomach.

This formula can treat nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy in cancer patients. Taking powder form is somewhat troublesome; it can be converted directly to a decoction. Decoction dosage: Pipaye (loquat leaf) 10g, Juhong (tangerine peel) 10g, Fabanxia (processed Pinellia) 5g, Chifuling (red Poria) 5g, Renshen (ginseng) 5g, Maimendong (Ophiopogon) 12g, Qingzhuru (green bamboo shavings) 12g, Gancao (Glycyrrhiza) 4g. One dose daily, once in the morning and once in the evening.