Bloating Formula

INGREDIENTS

Each pill contains the equiv. to dry:

Hawthorn Berry, Fruit 73.2mg

Barley, sprout 65.0mg

Mandarin, peel 55.8mg

Wolfporia, fruit 45.7mg

Radish, seed 45.7mg

Weeping Forsythia, fruit 45.7mg

Green Dragon, tuber 44.0mg

Store below 30°C

Contains 200 x 200mg pills.

AUSTL 482234

Manufactured In Australia. 

Indications: indigestion, bloating after eating, fullness, belching, nausea after eating.

Actions: promotes digestion, harmonises the stomach and intestines.

Dosage: 8 pills before food. If you forget take them after food.

Children: 6 months an over 1 pill per year of age up to the age of 10 as directed above.

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Use with Indigestion for long-term problems and Acid Reflux.

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Bao He Tang – "Bloating"

A classical Chinese herbal formula traditionally used to relieve bloating, food stagnation and digestive discomfort following overeating or difficult-to-digest meals.

What is Bao He Tang?

Almost everyone has experienced it.

You eat a little too much...

Or perhaps a rich meal that simply doesn't agree with you.

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A few hours later your stomach feels:

• full

• tight

• uncomfortable

• bloated

You burp repeatedly.

Food seems to sit in the stomach for hours.

You may even lose your appetite for the next meal.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recognised this pattern centuries ago as Food Stagnation—a temporary failure of the digestive system to properly process what has been eaten.

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Bao He Tang (保和汤) was developed specifically for these situations.

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At Chiron Medical we call it "Bloating", because abdominal fullness and bloating are the symptoms people notice first.

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Rather than masking symptoms, Bao He Tang helps the digestive system catch up and restore normal digestion.

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A Formula with More Than 500 Years of Clinical History

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Bao He Tang was first recorded in the Dan Xi Xin Fa (Danxi's Mastery of Medicine) by the renowned physician Zhu Danxi during the Yuan Dynasty in the 14th century.

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Zhu Danxi believed that many digestive illnesses began with excessive eating or impaired digestion leading to stagnation within the stomach and intestines.

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Today Bao He Tang remains one of Chinese medicine's most widely prescribed formulas for acute digestive overload.

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Why We Call It "Bloating"

Most people know when they have eaten more than their digestive system can comfortably manage.

Typical symptoms include:

• abdominal bloating

• fullness after meals

• excessive burping

• acid reflux

• nausea

• foul-smelling wind

• loss of appetite

• sluggish digestion

R

ather than being a disease itself, bloating is often the body's way of saying:

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"I haven't finished digesting the last meal yet."

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Chinese medicine responds by helping the digestive system clear the backlog.

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What Is It Traditionally Used For?

Traditionally, Bao He Tang is prescribed for Food Stagnation in the Stomach.

Digestive Overload

• overeating

• rich meals

• excessive fatty foods

• food sitting heavily in the stomach

• post-feast discomfort

Digestive Symptoms

• bloating

• abdominal fullness

• excessive burping

• acid reflux (pattern dependent)

• nausea

• bad breath

• sluggish bowel movements

Children

Children frequently develop food stagnation because their digestive systems are still developing.

The formula has traditionally been used (under practitioner guidance) when children present with:

• bloating

• poor appetite

• foul-smelling stools

• abdominal discomfort after overeating

The Herbs That Make the Formula

Digestion is like a well-organised production line. Food should move steadily through the stomach and intestines, be broken down efficiently and absorbed before waste is carried away.

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When that process slows, food begins to sit where it shouldn't. Fermentation follows, gas develops, pressure builds and the stomach feels overloaded.

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Bao He Tang gets the production line moving again. Some herbs break down accumulated food, others restart digestive movement, while several relieve bloating, nausea and the inflammation that prolonged food stagnation can create.

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Shan Zha (Hawthorn Fruit)

Traditional Role

Shan Zha is the head chef of the formula. It breaks down rich, heavy and fatty meals that have overwhelmed the digestive system, relieving fullness after overeating.

Biomedical Role

Modern research suggests Hawthorn stimulates digestive enzyme activity, improves gastric emptying and supports healthy lipid metabolism while providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven)

Traditional Role

Shen Qu finishes the work that digestion has left incomplete. It helps break down grains, starches and fermented foods, allowing the stomach to catch up after dietary excess.

Biomedical Role

Research suggests Shen Qu enhances digestive enzyme activity, improves carbohydrate digestion and supports a healthy intestinal microbiome.

Lai Fu Zi (Radish Seed)

Traditional Role

When pressure builds, Lai Fu Zi opens the exit. It relieves bloating, excessive belching and abdominal fullness by restoring the normal downward movement of digestion.

Biomedical Role

Studies demonstrate improved gastrointestinal motility, reduced intestinal gas and enhanced bowel transit.

Ban Xia (Prepared Pinellia)

Traditional Role

Ban Xia settles an overloaded stomach. It relieves nausea, reduces fullness and helps restore comfortable digestion when food has stopped moving.

Biomedical Role

Experimental studies suggest processed Pinellia possesses antiemetic, anti-inflammatory and gastric motility regulating effects while supporting upper gastrointestinal function. Only properly processed Pinellia is suitable for clinical use.

Chen Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel)

Traditional Role

Chen Pi keeps digestion flowing. It relieves bloating and abdominal distension while encouraging food to continue its journey through the digestive tract.

Biomedical Role

Research demonstrates improved gastric emptying, enhanced digestive motility and reduced intestinal gas together with antioxidant activity.

Fu Ling (Poria Mushroom)

Traditional Role

Fu Ling restores balance once digestion begins moving again. It strengthens the digestive system while helping regulate excess fluid and preventing lingering stagnation.

Biomedical Role

Studies suggest Poria supports gut microbiome health, immune regulation and inflammatory balance while promoting healthy gastrointestinal function.

Lian Qiao (Forsythia Fruit)

Traditional Role

When food remains stagnant for too long it begins to generate irritation. Lian Qiao clears this lingering Heat, helping settle inflammation that can develop within the digestive tract.

Biomedical Role

Research demonstrates antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity that complements the formula's actions during prolonged digestive stagnation.

Why These Herbs Work Together

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The problem with food stagnation is not simply what has been eaten.

It is that digestion has stopped moving.

As food sits within the stomach and intestines, fermentation begins. Gas accumulates, bloating develops and the digestive system struggles to complete the work it has already started.

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Bao He Tang restores that movement. Shan Zha and Shen Qu help digest accumulated food, while Lai Fu Zi, Chen Pi and Ban Xia restart healthy gastric movement and relieve bloating, nausea and fullness. Fu Ling strengthens digestion during recovery, and Lian Qiao helps settle inflammation that may develop when food stagnation persists.

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In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the formula reduces food stagnation, harmonises the Stomach, relieves abdominal fullness and restores normal digestive movement. It is particularly suited to overeating, indigestion, bloating and digestive discomfort following rich or excessive meals.

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From a modern biomedical perspective, the constituent herbs have demonstrated digestive enzyme stimulation, improved gastric emptying, gastrointestinal motility regulation, anti-inflammatory activity and support for healthy gut microbiome function.

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Rather than simply relieving bloating, Bao He Tang helps the digestive system finish the meal it was unable to complete.

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What Does Modern Research Say?

Modern research has investigated the constituent herbs for:

Functional Dyspepsia

• post-meal fullness

• delayed gastric emptying

• abdominal bloating

• indigestion

Gastrointestinal Function

Studies suggest improvements in:

• gastric motility

• digestive enzyme secretion

• intestinal transit

• reduction of abdominal gas

Gut Microbiome

Research indicates several herbs may:

• support healthy microbial diversity

• reduce intestinal inflammation

• improve digestive efficiency

These findings closely reflect the traditional concept of clearing Food Stagnation.

Bloating Is Often a Signal—Not the Problem

Chinese medicine teaches that bloating is usually the result of impaired digestion rather than the disease itself.

Sometimes the cause is:

• overeating

• eating too quickly

• rich foods

• poor digestive strength

• emotional stress

The key is identifying why digestion has slowed.

Bao He Tang is most effective when food overload is the primary problem.

Comparing the Chiron Medical Digestive Formulas

Each digestive formula addresses a different stage of digestive dysfunction.

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Bao He Tang - Bloating - Food overload and digestive stagnation - Food Stagnation

Jian Pi Tang - Indigestion - Weak digestion - Spleen Qi Deficiency

Shu Gan Wan - Stress Belly - Stress-related digestive upset - Liver Qi Stagnation

Run Chang Tang - Constipation - Dry sluggish bowels - Intestinal Dryness

Shen Ling Bai Zhu Tang - Control Sugar - Chronic digestive weakness and metabolic dysfunction - Spleen Qi Deficiency with Dampness

How Bao He Tang Fits into Digestive Recovery

Think of digestion as a production line.

Step 1 – Remove the Backlog

Food accumulates.

Digestion slows.

Bloating develops.

Bao He Tang ("Bloating") clears the congestion.

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Step 2 – Rebuild Digestion

If digestion remains weak after the backlog has cleared...

Jian Pi Tang ("Indigestion") strengthens the digestive system.

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Step 3 – Improve Long-Term Metabolism

Once digestion becomes efficient again...

Shen Ling Bai Zhu Tang ("Control Sugar") helps support healthy metabolism and nutrient utilisation.

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Step 4 – Manage Specific Patterns

If stress becomes the dominant trigger...

Shu Gan Wan ("Stress Belly") restores healthy communication between the brain and gut.

If constipation develops because digestion has become dry and sluggish...

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Run Chang Tang ("Constipation") helps lubricate the bowel and restore healthy elimination.

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Together these formulas provide a comprehensive approach to digestive health—from clearing excess, to rebuilding digestive strength, to supporting long-term gut and metabolic function.

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For Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners

Classical Pattern

Food Stagnation in the Stomach

Typical presentation:

• abdominal fullness

• bloating

• foul-smelling belching

• acid regurgitation

• poor appetite

• thick greasy tongue coating

• slippery pulse

Formula Strategy

Bao He Tang:

• Reduces food stagnation.

• Harmonises the stomach.

• Regulates Qi.

• Relieves bloating.

• Supports healthy digestion.

Common Clinical Modifications

Frequently adapted for:

• functional dyspepsia

• delayed gastric emptying

• post-prandial fullness

• paediatric food stagnation

• indigestion after rich meals

For Medical Doctors

Proposed Biomedical Actions

Current research suggests the constituent herbs influence:

• gastric emptying

• digestive enzyme secretion

• gastrointestinal motility

• gut microbiota

• inflammatory cytokines

• intestinal gas production

Major bioactive compounds include:

• flavonoids (hawthorn)

• digestive enzymes from Shen Qu

• hesperidin

• pachymic acid

• forsythosides

• alkaloids from processed Pinellia

Collectively these compounds demonstrate prokinetic, digestive, anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective properties.

Potential Herb–Drug Considerations

Clinical monitoring is advisable in patients taking:

• proton pump inhibitors

• prokinetic medications

• antacids

• anticoagulants (general botanical precaution)

• diabetic medications where meal timing may be affected

Persistent bloating associated with unexplained weight loss, vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, anaemia or difficulty swallowing requires prompt medical investigation to exclude structural gastrointestinal disease.

Sometimes Your Stomach Just Needs a Helping Hand

Your digestive system is remarkably efficient.

But even the healthiest stomach can become overwhelmed.

A large meal.

Too much rich food.

Eating in a hurry.

Sometimes it simply needs help catching up.

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Bao He Tang has been doing exactly that for more than 600 years.

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That is why we call it "Bloating."

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Because when food has stopped moving, the answer isn't always to suppress the symptoms—it is to help the digestive system get moving again.

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Key Takeaways

• Bao He Tang is a classical Chinese herbal formula first recorded during the Yuan Dynasty for digestive overload and food stagnation.

• At Chiron Medical it is called "Bloating" because abdominal fullness, gas and post-meal discomfort are its hallmark indications.

• It helps improve gastric emptying, digestive motility and the breakdown of food following overeating or difficult-to-digest meals.

• It complements Jian Pi Tang ("Indigestion"), Shu Gan Wan ("Stress Belly"), Run Chang Tang ("Constipation") and Shen Ling Bai Zhu Tang ("Control Sugar"), with each formula addressing a different stage or cause of digestive dysfunction.

• Modern research supports actions on gastric motility, digestive enzyme activity, the gut microbiome and gastrointestinal inflammation, making it one of the best-understood classical digestive formulas.

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Clinical Insights

Acid Reflux, Heartburn & Nausea

When food remains in the stomach longer than it should, pressure increases and stomach contents may begin moving in the wrong direction. Reflux, heartburn and nausea often reflect impaired gastric emptying rather than excessive stomach acid alone.

Bao He Tang combines particularly well with:

• Angry Gallbladder (Wen Dan Tang) when nausea, reflux and poor stomach motility predominate.

• Clear the Throat (Ban Xia Hou Po Tang) when reflux is accompanied by throat tightness, swallowing discomfort or stress-related upper digestive symptoms.

Together these formulas restore healthy stomach movement while reducing upper gastrointestinal irritation.

Chronic Poor Digestion

Some people simply never feel as though they digest food properly. Meals sit heavily, bloating is common and energy levels gradually decline because nutrients are not being efficiently processed.

Depending on the underlying presentation, combine with:

• Indigestion (Jian Pi Wan)to strengthen digestion and improve nutrient absorption.

• Phlegm Buster (Er Chen Wan)where excessive mucus, bloating and digestive congestion remain prominent.

• Control Sugar (Shen Ling Bai Zhu San) when chronic digestive weakness, loose stools and malabsorption are present.

Together these formulas restore both digestive efficiency and long-term gastrointestinal resilience.

Epigastric Pain

Pain beneath the breastbone often develops when food stagnation combines with muscle tension, poor digestive movement or chronic gastric irritation.

Bao He Tang combines particularly well with:

• Free Flow (Chai Hu Shu Gan Wan) when stress and upper abdominal tension contribute to discomfort.

• Food Allergies (Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan) when poor digestion, bloating and stomach weakness are the dominant features.

These combinations help restore comfortable digestion while addressing the underlying reason food has stopped moving efficiently through the stomach.