Adjusting the Dà Chéngqì Decoction，From *The Collection for Preserving Life*, Volume Middle.，For severe abdominal masses and diarrhea presenting with symptoms of both the Taiyin and Yangming meridians.
Adjusting the Dà Chéngqì Decoction
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All references in this article to TCM syndrome differentiation, herbal medicines, teas, and decoctions are intended to promote TCM culture and are provided solely for educational and reference purposes.
Formulas Name : Adjusting the Dà Chéngqì Decoction
Chinese Name : 进退大承气汤
Drug Formulation
Da Cheng Qi Decoction.
Source
From *The Collection for Preserving Life*, Volume Middle.
Benefits
For severe abdominal masses and diarrhea presenting with symptoms of both the Taiyin and Yangming meridians.
Instructions for Use
In Taiyin syndrome, where the patient cannot eat, one should first tonify and then purge; this is the proper method of administration. First, decoct half a liang of Houpo, prepared according to the modifications in this formula, in one and a half zhan of water until reduced to half, then administer it. If diarrhea persists after taking three liang, indicating undigested food remains, add two qian of Zhishi and decoct together before administration.If diarrhea persists even after taking 3 liang, and the patient is able to eat slightly but still exhibits signs of heat-toxin, add 3 qian of rhubarb (Da Huang) to induce a purgative effect until the diarrhea stops. If the diarrhea does not stop, it indicates that the intestines and stomach have accumulated long-standing, sticky, and slimy residues; add half a he of sodium sulfate (Mang Xiao). Once the accumulated residues are completely removed, the condition will be cured.This is a Yangming syndrome, characterized by a normal appetite; treatment should begin with purgation followed by tonification—this is known as the “retreating medication” method. First, use 5 qian of Da Chengqi Decoction with 1 zhan of water; decoct according to the previous method until reduced to 7 fen, and take while still slightly warm. If diarrhea persists, remove the sodium silicate; once the fever has subsided slightly, reduce the rhubarb dose by half and take two more doses.If the fever has subsided but the patient still experiences fullness in the chest and abdomen, reduce the rhubarb further and prepare another 3 liang of Zhishi-Houpo Decoction to be taken in two doses. Once the abdominal distension and fullness subside, the diarrhea will resolve on its own. Subsequently, take several doses of Houpo Decoction, and the condition will be cured.
Copyright: Excerpt from From *The Collection for Preserving Life*, Volume Middle., Copyright belongs to the Original Author and all original sources, This article was shared by DeDe on August 26, 2026, Please credit the source and include a link to the original article when reposting.
Terminology Proofreading: [Cheng Bo] | August 26, 2026 Reviewed by: [Wang Zhongxiang, Associate Chief TCM Physician (China)] | August 26, 2026
Correct Content Errors: Errors may occur during the writing, editing, translation, and publication of website content. If you find any errors or inaccurate information in this article, please feel free to Contact Us to report them, and we will correct them promptly.
FDA Disclaimer: The descriptions of the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicines, herbal teas, decoctions, and formulas, as well as the content on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnostic theory and traditional TCM therapies contained on this site, are intended solely for the purpose of popularizing TCM culture and serving as an educational reference; they do not constitute medical diagnosis or treatment advice. Please do not attempt to use these products on your own without proper guidance. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are experiencing any physical discomfort, please consult a licensed healthcare professional and seek treatment at a reputable medical institution. This platform assumes no responsibility for any consequences resulting from the use of herbs or formulas by any individual based on the information provided on this site. Please read Medical Disclaimer.
Adjusting the Dà Chéngqì Decoction,For severe abdominal masses and diarrhea presenting with symptoms of both the Taiyin and Yangming meridians.