Atractylodes and Pork Tripe Soup，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Strengthens the spleen and stimulates the appetite. Suitable for children with anorexia caused by spleen and stomach deficiency
given the warm nature, caution is advised if the tongue is red with scant coating or there is tidal fever and night sweats; in the absence of frank deficiency, or where an excess or heat pattern prevails, indiscriminate warming tonic use is inadvisable; the formula is potent in driving out pathogens; use with caution in the weak and in pregnancy, and avoid long-term or excessive use; the tonifying-warming action may aggravate internal heat; avoid during feverish or inflammatory episodes
Commentary
With atractylodes macrocephala as the sovereign, with warm nature and bitter, sweet flavor, having Spleen, Stomach tropism, it tonifies the spleen, dries dampness, promotes urination and secures the exterior, and this opening sets the main therapeutic direction. The ministerial layer, areca nut (with warm nature and bitter, pungent flavor, having Stomach, Large Intestine tropism, expels parasites, reduces food stagnation, and moves qi and promotes diuresis), and pork stomach (with warm nature and sweet flavor, having Spleen, Stomach tropism, tonifies the spleen and harmonizes the stomach), lends support that reinforces the sovereign’s main effect. Together the herbs converge on this action, in accord with the spleen-stomach pattern.