Having a "lump in one's throat" is a feeling of localized obstruction and blockage of the throat and is called in Chinese medicine as "Plum-Pit Qi." Most people feeling this have no actual physical obstruction of the throat, yet they experience an uncomfortable sensation of blockage that is often exacerbated with stress or emotional tension, and may experience persistent phlegm or a sensation of phlegm that cannot be easily expectorated or swallowed.

While Ban Xia Hou Po Tang, created in the second century A.D. by one of the great pioneers of Chinese medicine, Zhang Zhong-Jing, was originally indicated primarily for a problem affecting the throat, its use has expanded in the modern day to encompass a variety of conditions that are associated with discomfort in the abdomen and chest, as well as emotional distress.

According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the principle pattern treated by Ban Xia Hou Po Tang is one of phlegm and Qi binding in the throat, manifesting in Plum-Pit Qi syndrome. There is a sensation of "lump" in the throat that cannot be relieved by expectorating or swallowing. There may also be fullness in the chest and diaphragm. The tongue is white and moist and the pulse is wiry and moderate or wiry and slippery.

When there are swings in emotion, binding of liver Qi causes the lung and stomach to lose their ability to diffuse and conduct Qi downward; the body fluids are then not dispersed so they accumulate to form phlegm. Phlegm and Qi bind together in the throat to cause the principle symptoms of obstruction in the throat that cannot be expectorated or swallowed, while poor movement of Qi causes discomfort in the chest.

As a whole, Ban Xia Hou Po Pian moves Qi and disperses lumps while transforming phlegm. Ban Xia (Pinellia rhizome) enters the lung and stomach and transforms phlegm while dispersing binds; it is considered to be the chief herb here. Hou Po (Magnolia cortex) is acrid and moves Qi downward while eliminating fullness, thus helping Ban Xia. Fu Ling (Poria) strengthens the spleen while helping Ban Xia to transform phlegm, while Sheng Jiang (Fresh ginger) disperses binds and harmonizes the stomach to relieve vomiting. Zi Su Ye (Perilla leaf) is aromatic and moves Qi to rectify the lung and soothe the liver, and it assists in moving Qi and opening the chest. This combination naturally resolves all the symptoms seen in this pattern.