Natural Digestive Remedies First Aid: Po Chai Pills and Curing Pills (Chinese Medicine Herbs!)

If you’ve ever found yourself feeling bloated, nauseous, or dealing with an upset stomach after eating or drinking too much, Po Chai Pills or Curing Pills are two Chinese herbal remedies you need to know about. Sometimes you know "have a little ginger" isn't going to do it. These over-the-counter products have been trusted for generations, providing fast relief from digestive discomforts like indigestion, gas, bloating, and even hangovers. They’re basically two versions of the same thing. 

The History: A Quick Look (or, Why Two of the Same Thing?)

Both Po Chai Pills and Curing Pills have fascinating histories, although they emerged at different times.

Po Chai Pills have been around since 1896, created by Li Shiu Kei in China. Originally designed to treat stomach upsets and food poisoning, they quickly became a household staple in China and beyond. We aren't the first place in the world to discover overindulgence! With over 100 years of history, these pills have been a go-to for generations.

Curing Pills, also called Culing Pills, are a bit more recent, developed in the 20th century by the Tianjin Drug Manufactory in China. While newer to the scene, they’re just as widely used and respected for handling the same types of stomach issues. They are in most Chinese herbal stores I've ever visited in the United States, and often at the larger Asian markets. They are easily bought online on Amazon and other retailers. My office at San Diego Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture carries them in the retail section. The reason they are sometimes spelled Curing or Culing is because the "r" and "l" are pronounced the same in Chinese, much like how "b" and "v" sound the same in Spanish, and this made it to the labeling of some versions.

The main thing to know: Whether you're dealing with indigestion, bloating, or a hangover, Curing Pills or Po Chai Pills have got you covered.

When to Take Them

Both Po Chai Pills and Curing Pills are there to save you from those uncomfortable moments when your stomach just isn’t happy. Here’s what they help with:

• Indigestion and Overeating: When you've eaten too much, both of these products can help settle your stomach and get you back on track.

• Bloating and Gas: Feeling gassy or bloated from something you ate? These pills can help relieve that discomfort quickly.

• Diarrhea: If your digestive system is off balance, whether from food or travel, Po Chai and Curing Pills can help control mild diarrhea.

• Hangovers: Had one too many drinks? Both pills can ease that queasy, bloated feeling and help with nausea after a night out. They also help hangover and over-eating headaches, because the source of hangover headaches is a clogged digestive system.

• Food Poisoning or Stomach Flu: For those moments when you feel like something you ate just isn’t sitting right, these pills can help expel some toxins and regulate your system. They might not be enough, but they can help some. For stomach flu or food poisoning, you might look into having on hand a formula for that kind of severe diarrhea and vomitting: Huo Xiang Zheng Qi (often sold in tincture form to be able to keep it down and absorb when you are vomiting so much). Make sure to keep hydrated, and check-in with your doctor or Urgent Care if it gets too bad.

Same Purpose, Two Similar Versions - Either is OK!

Though they have different origin stories and slightly different blends of herbs, Po Chai Pills and Curing Pills work in very similar ways with similar effects. They’re both formulated to help you recover from digestive distress by balancing your stomach, regulating energy flow (known as Qi in Chinese medicine), and expelling dampness (think: improves digestion, absorption, processing, and detoxing), and including herbs known to digest particular substances such as meat, carbs, and alcohol. 

If you see either product at your local Asian grocery store or online, know that they’re equally good options for tackling the same set of problems. Whether it’s a big meal, a night out with friends, or just feeling under the weather, Po Chai and Curing Pills are your herbal allies. Both formulas are fast-acting and effective, so you can’t really go wrong with either one.

Common Ingredients

While the exact ingredients vary between them, both products share some herbs that make them effective for digestive issues. Here are a few herbs found in these formulas (terms are in chinese medical terms):

• Pinellia Rhizome (Ban Xia): Reduces nausea, clears phlegm, and calms the stomach.

• Bitter Orange (Zhi Shi): Helps with indigestion and promotes proper movement of qi in the digestive system.

• Magnolia Bark (Hou Po): Relieves bloating and helps reduce stagnation in the gut.

• Atractylodes Root (Bai Zhu): Strengthens the digestive system and reduces bloating and dampness.

• Pogostemon Leaf (Huo Xiang): Treats nausea and bloating, especially after overeating or drinking.

These herbs are curated with others into synergistic formulas to calm your stomach, reduce nausea, diarrhea, stomach acid, and help with any of the problems associated with digestive upset. Chinese herbology is a "potion-making" herbology and these remedies are no different. It isn't any one ingredient, but the skilled combination of herbal options, that makes Chinese herbology so effective and flexible.

How to Take Them

Both Po Chai and Curing Pills are incredibly easy to use. They come in various forms (I like the tiny pills in vials!) so make sure you read the directions on the packaging. They original versions I use come in a small vial of tiny tiny pills, and when symptoms hit, you can take one dose (the whole vial) with warm water. A box comes with 10 elaborately packaged vials. Prices vary, but a box is less than $10. My office sells them for $15.

Extra Strength Tip: If you're dealing with more severe discomfort—like after a particularly heavy meal or a rough night out—you can take another dose after a few hours. If symptoms persist, you can continue taking them every 6-8 hours, as needed, throughout the next day to help ease ongoing digestive problems and headaches. Always check the packaging for specific directions, but both are safe and effective when used as directed. There are non-original versions out there in tablet and capsule form, and these are likely effective too. I prefer the originals, but you do you!

Prevent Hangovers Tip: If you know you're going to drink more than usual (think weddings, big celebrations, or a girls' night out), you can also take them preventatively. Try taking a dose before heading out, and again when you get home, and in the morning. This kind of proactive approach can help you wake up feeling much better the next day—or even prevent digestive problems and headaches altogether!

Why You Need These in Your First Aid Kit

Honestly, there’s no reason not to keep Po Chai or Curing Pills on hand. They’re reliable, easy to carry around, and can get you out of those uncomfortable “oops” moments quickly. Whether you’ve eaten something that didn’t agree with you, overindulged at dinner, or had a few too many drinks, these herbal remedies will help you feel better fast.

Both Po Chai and Curing Pills are classic staples in Chinese medicine for good reason—they’re natural, effective, and can be used for a wide range of digestive issues. Next time you’re stocking your first aid kit or medicine cabinet, grab a box of either one and keep them handy for when your stomach - expected or unexpectedly - needs a little help.

Go get some!