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Bao He Wan is a Jing Tang TCVM herbal formula recommended by holistic veterinarians to promote appetite, resolve food stasis, and dispel Damp in dogs, cats, and horses. Based directly on the classical Bao He Wan from Dan Xi Xin Fa (Teachings of Zhu Dan-xi) written by Zhu Dan-xi in 1481, this eight-ingredient formula is one of the most celebrated classical Chinese digestive formulas used in TCVM - combining food stasis-resolving, Qi-moving, Damp-resolving, and Phlegm-clearing ingredients to address the full pattern of food accumulation with Damp and Phlegm. Available in a 90g Concentrated Powder, 0.2g Concentrated Capsules (50 count), 0.5g Concentrated Capsules (100 count), and Teapills (200 count). No contraindications listed. Dosing varies by species and body weight; your authorizing veterinarian will provide specific guidance.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
What It Supports
- Appetite promotion: Promotes appetite and supports normal digestive function by resolving the food stasis and Qi stagnation that suppresses appetite and disrupts the Spleen and Stomach's transforming and transporting functions
- Food stasis resolution: Resolves food stasis and accumulation in the Stomach and intestines, addressing the food retention that disrupts normal digestive Qi descending and generates the bloating, discomfort, and irregular stool associated with food accumulation patterns
- Damp dispelling: Dispels the Damp and Phlegm-Damp that accumulates alongside food stasis when the Spleen's transforming and transporting function is overwhelmed by food retention, restoring the Spleen's ability to transform Damp and maintain normal fluid metabolism in the digestive system
TCVM Principles
- Primary action: Promote appetite, resolve food stasis, dispel Damp
- Classical antecedent: Bao He Wan from Dan Xi Xin Fa (Teachings of Zhu Dan-xi) written by Zhu Dan-xi in 1481
Available Forms
- 90g Concentrated Powder: Highly concentrated granule format; mix into food for easy daily administration. One 90g bottle lasts approximately 2 weeks
- 0.5g Concentrated Capsules (100 Count): Concentrated capsule format for precise dosing in medium to large dogs; can be given directly or hidden in food or a soft treat
- 0.2g Concentrated Capsules (50 Count): Small concentrated capsule format for cats and small dogs; can be given directly or hidden in food or a soft treat
- Teapills (200 Count): Traditional small pill format; can be hidden in food or a soft treat for easy administration
Suggested Use
Horse (90g Concentrated Powder): 3g (2.5 large scoops) twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian. 1 level large scoop holds approximately 1.2g of powder. One 90g Concentrated Powder bottle lasts approximately 2 weeks.
Dog and Cat (90g Concentrated Powder): 0.5 to 1 small scoop per 10 to 20 lb body weight twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian. 1 level small scoop holds approximately 0.25g of powder.
Dog and Cat (Concentrated Capsules): One capsule per 10 to 20 lb body weight twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian. Use the 0.5g capsule for dogs 20 lb and above; use the 0.2g capsule for cats and small dogs under 10 lbs once daily.
Dog and Cat (Teapills): Dose as directed by your veterinarian. Teapills can be hidden in food or a soft treat for easy administration.
Veterinary authorization is required before use.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
Ingredients
Active ingredients: Ban Xia (Pinellia ternata) - Pinellia rhizome, Chen Pi (Citrus reticulata) - Tangerine peel (aged), Fu Ling (Poria cocos) - Poria sclerotium, Lai Fu Zi (Raphanus sativus) - Radish seed, Lian Qiao (Forsythia suspensa) - Forsythia fruit, Mai Ya (Hordeum vulgare) - Barley sprout, Shan Zha (Crataegus pinnatifida) - Hawthorn fruit, Shen Qu (Massa Fermentata Medicinalis) - Medicated leaven (fermented digestive medicinal). Inactive ingredients vary by format: gluten-free maltodextrin (concentrated powder); bovine gelatin and gluten-free maltodextrin (concentrated capsules); activated carbon, botanical wax, and talcum (teapills).
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
Active Ingredient TCVM Actions
Bao He Wan is one of the most celebrated classical Chinese digestive formulas, organized around three food stasis-resolving ingredients as its core, supported by Qi-moving, Damp-resolving, and Heat-clearing herbs that address the full pattern of food accumulation with Damp, Phlegm, and stagnation Heat:
- Shan Zha (Crataegus pinnatifida) - Hawthorn fruit: Resolves food stasis, particularly from meat and fatty foods; the formula's primary food stasis-resolving ingredient and the most important classical digestive herb in the Chinese materia medica for meat and fat accumulation; Shan Zha directly breaks down food stasis in the Stomach and intestines, restoring the Stomach's descending function and the Spleen's transforming capacity that are overwhelmed by food retention; its sour, sweet nature makes it specifically effective at dissolving the protein and fat accumulations that other food stasis herbs do not address as directly
- Shen Qu (Massa Fermentata Medicinalis) - Medicated leaven: Resolves food stasis, promotes digestion, and harmonizes the Stomach; the formula's second primary food stasis-resolving ingredient, and one of the most unique medicinals in the Chinese materia medica - Shen Qu is a fermented preparation of wheat flour, bran, and other digestive herbs rather than a single plant-derived herb, making it a probiotic-type fermented medicinal; its fermented nature gives it a specific ability to resolve food stasis from grain, starchy foods, and general food accumulation that complements Shan Zha's meat and fat-resolving action
- Mai Ya (Hordeum vulgare) - Barley sprout: Resolves food stasis from grain and starchy foods, promotes digestion, and gently moves Liver Qi; the formula's third food stasis-resolving ingredient, specifically targeting grain and starchy food accumulation; Mai Ya's sprouted grain nature gives it a specific enzymatic digestive action on starchy food stasis; its additional Liver Qi-moving action gently addresses any Liver overacting on Spleen component that may accompany digestive stagnation
- Ban Xia (Pinellia ternata) - Pinellia rhizome: Dries Damp, resolves Phlegm, harmonizes the Stomach, and descends rebellious Qi; the formula's primary Damp-drying and Phlegm-resolving herb, addressing the Damp and Phlegm-Damp that accumulates alongside food stasis when the Spleen's transforming function is overwhelmed; Ban Xia's combined Phlegm-resolving and Stomach-harmonizing actions directly restore the Stomach's descending function that is disrupted by food stasis and Phlegm accumulation
- Chen Pi (Citrus reticulata) - Tangerine peel (aged): Moves Qi, dries Damp, resolves Phlegm, and harmonizes the Stomach; the formula's primary Qi-moving and Damp-drying herb, working with Ban Xia as the classical Ban Xia and Chen Pi pair for Phlegm-Damp in the digestive system; Chen Pi's Qi-moving action addresses the Qi stagnation that develops secondary to food accumulation, while its Damp-drying action complements Ban Xia's Phlegm-resolving strategy; aged Tangerine peel (Chen Pi, where Chen means aged) is preferred over fresh peel for its more balanced and less acrid action
- Fu Ling (Poria cocos) - Poria sclerotium: Tonifies Spleen Qi, resolves Damp, and calms the Shen; the formula's Spleen-tonifying and Damp-resolving herb, addressing the Spleen Qi weakness that both contributes to food stasis (when the Spleen cannot transform food normally) and results from food stasis (when prolonged food accumulation further burdens the Spleen); Fu Ling's gentle tonification and Damp-resolving action supports the Spleen's recovery while the formula's stasis-resolving herbs clear the accumulation
- Lai Fu Zi (Raphanus sativus) - Radish seed: Descends Qi, resolves food stasis, and reduces bloating and distension; the formula's primary Qi-descending and bloating-resolving herb, directly addressing the Qi rebellion and abdominal distension that food stasis causes when accumulated food prevents the Stomach Qi from descending normally; Lai Fu Zi's strong downward-moving and gas-dispersing action makes it particularly effective at resolving the bloating and distension associated with food accumulation in the digestive tract
- Lian Qiao (Forsythia suspensa) - Forsythia fruit: Clears Heat and resolves toxin; the formula's Heat-clearing herb, addressing the stagnation Heat that food accumulation generates over time when food retained in the Stomach begins to generate Heat through fermentation and stagnation; Lian Qiao prevents the food stasis from transforming into Heat toxin and clears the mild Heat signs that accompany food accumulation patterns, including bad breath, warm abdomen, and restlessness
Potential Drug Interactions
Bao He Wan contains food stasis-resolving ingredients (Shan Zha, Shen Qu, Mai Ya), Qi-moving and Damp-drying herbs (Ban Xia, Chen Pi), a Spleen-tonifying and Damp-resolving herb (Fu Ling), a Qi-descending herb (Lai Fu Zi), and a Heat-clearing herb (Lian Qiao) that may interact with certain medications. Ban Xia should be used under veterinary supervision in patients on cardiovascular or respiratory medications due to its alkaloid content. Shan Zha may interact with cardiovascular medications given its documented effects on cardiac function in human research. Pets on prescription medications should use this formula under veterinary supervision, as herb-drug interaction research in dogs, cats, and horses remains limited.
Medication categories warranting extra caution include cardiovascular medications, gastrointestinal medications (including prokinetics and antacids), and multiple concurrent prescription medications. Your veterinarian can determine appropriateness based on the patient's condition, medications, and laboratory results.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bao He Wan used for in TCVM?
Bao He Wan is used in TCVM for food stasis patterns in which food accumulates in the Stomach and intestines and disrupts the Spleen and Stomach's normal transforming, transporting, and descending functions. In TCVM, the Spleen is responsible for transforming food into Qi and Blood and transporting nutrients upward, while the Stomach receives food and descends it downward through the digestive tract. When food accumulates and stagnates - due to overeating, dietary irregularity, or Spleen Qi weakness - the entire digestive Qi dynamic is disrupted: the Stomach cannot descend, the Spleen cannot transform, Damp and Phlegm accumulate from untransformed food, and mild stagnation Heat develops as retained food generates Heat through fermentation. Bao He Wan addresses all of these components simultaneously. The manufacturer lists no contraindications for this formula.
How is Bao He Wan administered and dosed?
For horses, give 3g (2.5 large scoops) of concentrated powder twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian; the large scoop holds approximately 1.2g. For dogs and cats using the 90g Concentrated Powder, give 0.5 to 1 small scoop per 10 to 20 lb body weight twice daily; the small scoop holds approximately 0.25g. For concentrated capsules, give one capsule per 10 to 20 lb body weight twice daily; use the 0.5g capsule for dogs 20 lb and above, and the 0.2g capsule for cats and small dogs under 10 lbs once daily. For teapills, dose as directed by your veterinarian. All formats can be given directly or hidden in food.
What is the classical source of Bao He Wan and who was Zhu Dan-xi?
Bao He Wan comes directly from Dan Xi Xin Fa (Teachings of Zhu Dan-xi), written by Zhu Dan-xi in 1481 during the Ming dynasty. Zhu Dan-xi (also known as Zhu Zhenheng) is one of the Four Great Masters of Chinese medicine from the Jin-Yuan period (1115-1368) and the founder of the Nourishing Yin school (Yang Sheng Pai), known for his teaching that "Yang is always in excess and Yin is always deficient." He was one of the most innovative and influential physicians in the history of Chinese medicine, and Dan Xi Xin Fa is his most important clinical text. Bao He Wan is one of the most widely used classical Chinese digestive formulas in both human TCM and TCVM practice to this day, and its eight-ingredient composition has remained essentially unchanged since Zhu Dan-xi formulated it in the 15th century.
What is Shen Qu and how does it work as a digestive ingredient?
Shen Qu (Massa Fermentata Medicinalis), also known as Medicated Leaven or Medicated Ferment, is one of the most unique medicinals in the Chinese materia medica because it is not a single plant-derived herb but a fermented preparation traditionally made by combining wheat bran, wheat flour, and several medicinal herbs and allowing the mixture to ferment. The fermentation process creates a preparation with enzymatic and probiotic-like properties that are particularly effective at resolving food stasis from grain, starch, and general food accumulation. In TCVM, Shen Qu is classified as a food stasis-resolving medicinal that harmonizes the Stomach, reduces food accumulation, and restores the Stomach's transforming function. Its fermented nature gives it a specific ability to address the grain and starchy food accumulation component of food stasis that complements Shan Zha's action on meat and fat accumulation and Mai Ya's action on starchy grain foods, making the three-ingredient food stasis-resolving core of Bao He Wan a comprehensive approach to food accumulation from all dietary sources.
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