Altarulm

A popular Western formula for irritation of the gastrointestinal system is called Robert's Formula, which is based on the combination of marshmallow root and slippery elm bark to provide soothing mucilage (starch that forms a protective coating). There have been numerous revisions of the original formulation- which contained only two to three herbs along with mallow and elm- to the point that the amount of the key ingredients often becomes miniscule. In this formula, they are restored as major components, and the formula is joined with a well-known traditional Chinese prescription that has a similar application: Gegen Huanglian Huangqin Tang (Pueraria, Coptis, and Scute Combination). That formula is indicated for heat in the stomach and intestines, and relies on a high dose of pueraria to provide a soothing mucilage (in Japan, pueraria starch is used for this purpose). The formula has three other ingredients: licorice, coptis, and scute. These three herbs have anti-inflammatory action and the latter two have antiseptic and anti-hemorrhagic properties as well. In this case, deglycerized licorice has been used, as this form of licorice retains effectiveness for gastrointestinal inflammation but does not include the component of licorice that some people find worrisome (in fact, glycyrrhizic acid is rarely problematic, but for gastrointestinal irritation, it is not an essential component).