【Source】

Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Coffer, Volume II.

 【Composition】

Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia Fruit), (Sichuan)Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root), Chuan Xiong (Szechuan Lovage Root), (White) Shao Yao (Peony Root), Ren Shen (Ginseng), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), E Jiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Bark), Gan Cao (Licorice Root), Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber), Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Root)
(12 ingredients)

 【Categories by Herb Function】

<Tonify Blood>: Shao Yao (Peony Root), Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root), E Jiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin)

<Nourish Yin>: Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Root)

<Clear Heat and Cool Blood>: Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Bark)

<Tonify Spleen and Middle Jiao>: Gan Cao (Licorice Root)

<Tonify Qi>: Ren Shen (Ginseng)

<Acrid-Warm to Release the Exterior>: Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger)

<Warm the Interior>: Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia Fruit)

<Invigorate Blood and Resolve Stasis>: Chuan Xiong (Szechuan Lovage Root)

<Transform Phlegm>: Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber)

【Formula Rationale】

“Han Dian” states: The Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Root), Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root), Ren Shen (Ginseng), E Jiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin), etc., in this formula have the effect of nourishing and strengthening. Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root), Shao Yao (Peony Root), Chuan Xiong (Szechuan Lovage Root), E Jiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin), etc., have the effect of nourishing blood and stopping bleeding. Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber) combined with Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Root) treats upward surging Qi. Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia Fruit), etc., invigorate metabolism and dispel cold. Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Bark) combined with Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) can treat blood stasis. Gan Cao (Licorice Root) regulates the effects of all the above herbs.

 【Functions】

Warms the channels and nourishes blood, invigorates blood and regulates menstruation, dispels cold, transforms blood stasis.

 【Indications】

Women’s diseases, women with blood stasis and Yin stagnation, coldness and distension/urgency discomfort in the lower abdomen, menstrual irregularities due to deficiency cold (early or late periods, heavy or scanty flow, prolonged or continuous bleeding), evening fever, long-term infertility, and other such conditions. “Han Dian” states: This formula originates from the “Women’s Miscellaneous Diseases” chapter of Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Coffer and is primarily used for women’s diseases. According to Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Coffer, it targets conditions such as irregular menstruation, uterine bleeding, cold syndrome, fullness and cramping in the lower abdomen, vexing heat in the palms, and dry lips and mouth.

 【Clinical Applications】

Menopausal syndrome, infertility, irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, delayed menstruation, uterine hypoplasia, irregular uterine bleeding, menopausal uterine bleeding, habitual miscarriage, deficiency-cold abdominal pain, palmar hyperkeratosis, eczema, etc.

 【Contraindications】

(1) This formula is not suitable for patients with abdominal distention and masses, which indicate a robust pattern of blood stasis. (2) Patients with metrorrhagia or metrostaxis (heavy or prolonged uterine bleeding) may experience a normal increase in bleeding after taking this formula.

 【Mnemonic】

Chuan Gui Jiao Ai Tang (Si Wu Tang with stir-fried E Jiao and Ai Ye, minus Di Huang and Ai Ye) + Xiao Jian Zhong Tang (minus Da Zao and Yi Tang) + Ban Xia (Xia), Wu Zhu Yu (Wu), Ren Shen (Ren), Mu Dan Pi (Dan), Mai Men Dong (Mai) → sounds like “Nobody sells single items in summer” (夏天無人單賣 – xiàtiān wúrén dānmài).

 【Modifications】

(1) For severe cold pain in the lower abdomen, remove Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Bark) and Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Root), and add Ai Ye (Mugwort Leaf) and Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel Fruit) to strengthen the effects of dispelling cold and relieving pain.

(2) For severe Qi deficiency, add Huang Qi (Astragalus Root) to tonify Qi.

(3) For Qi stagnation, add Xiang Fu (Cyperus Rhizome) and Wu Yao (Lindera Root) to regulate Qi and relieve pain.

(4) For continuous pale-colored metrorrhagia/metrostaxis, remove the cooling Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Bark), and add Pao Jiang (Processed Ginger), Jiao Ai (Charred Mugwort Leaf), and Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) to warm the channels, nourish blood, and stop bleeding.

(5) If this formula removes Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia Fruit), E Jiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin), Ban Xia (Pinellia Tuber), Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Root), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), and adds E Zhu (Zedoary Rhizome), Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark), Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root), it is named Wen Jing Tang from Fu Ren Liang Fang (Good Prescriptions for Women), which treats cold Qi invading the Blood Chamber, stagnation of Qi and blood causing umbilical and abdominal pain, with a deep and tight pulse.

 【Pharmacology】

It has effects such as promoting the secretion of luteinizing hormone and reducing prolactin levels.