Warm the Menses Decoction
Chinese Prescription: Wen Jing Tang
English Translation: Warm the Menses Decoction
Formula Type: Warm the Menses and Dispel Blood Stasis
Actions: Warms the vessels, dispels cold, nourishes the blood, & dispels blood stasis.
Indications: Mild, persistent uterine bleeding, irregular menstruation (either early or late), extended or continuous menstrual flow, bleeding between periods, pain, distention, & cold in the lower abdomen, infertility, dry lips & mouth, low-grade fever at dusk, & warm palms & soles. The tongue body may be purplish, & the pulse fine & rough. This formula is also used to treat infertility in women.
Contraindications: Contraindicated in cases with abdominal masses due to blood stasis from excess.
Pinyin | English | Suggested Dosage |
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view: Wu Zhu Yu |
Evodia | 9g |
view: Gui Zhi |
Cinnmon Twig | 6g |
view: Dang Gui |
Angelica Sinensis | 6g |
view: Chuan Xiong |
Sichuan Lovage Rhizome / Ligusticum Wallichi | 6g |
view: Bai Shao Yao |
Peony | 6g |
view: E Jiao |
Donkey Hide Gelatin | [dissolve in the strained decoction] - 6g |
view: Mai Men Dong |
Ophiopogon | 9g |
view: Mu Dan Pi |
Moutan root Bark | 6g |
view: Ren Shen |
Panax Ginseng | 6g |
view: Gan Cao |
Licorice | 6g |
view: Sheng Jiang |
Fresh Ginger | 6g |
view: Ban Xia |
Pinellia | 6g |
Wu Zhu Yu / Evodia Fruit | |||
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Taste: Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Hot • Category: Warm Interior & Expel Cold • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Warms the middle, disperses cold, relieves constraint in the Liver channel, & alleviates pain: for both Liver & Stomach channel disorders from cold or phlegm manifesting as headaches, epigastric pain with nausea, drooling, reduced taste sensation, pale tongue, & a very wiry or weak pulse. Also for cold hernial disorders in the area traversed by the Liver channel.2. Redirects rebellious qi downward & stops vomiting: for flank pain, regurgitation of sour fluid, a wiry, rapid pulse, & a red tongue due to Liver &/or Stomach disharmony. 3. Warms the Spleen, stops diarrhea, & expels damp-cold: for diarrhea due to cold from deficiency of the Spleen & Kidneys, & damp-cold leg qi. 4. Leads fire downward: for sores of the mouth & tongue. For this purpose the herb is ground into a powder, mixed with vinegar, & placed on the center of the soles of the feet. |
MeridiansKidney, Liver, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsSlighlty toxic. This herb is very drying & can injure the qi. It should not be used long-term or in cases with yin deficiency & heat signs. According to some traditional sources, this herb antagonizes dan shen & counteracts zi shi ying. Overdose may cause the throat to become extremely dry. Toxicity: Large doses of whu zhu yu have shown a stimulatory effect on the central nervous system & can lead to visual disturbances & hallucinations. |
Gui Zhi / Cinnamon Twig | |||
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Taste: Acrid, Sweet • Temperature: Warm • Category: Exterior Releasing - Warm • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Adjusts the nutritive & protective qi levels: for exterior cold from deficiency patterns where sweating occurs without any improvement in the patient's condition.2. Warms the channels & disperses cold: for wind-cold-damp painful obstruction in joints & limbs, especially the shoulders. Also for gynecological problems, such as dysmenorrhea, caused by cold obstructing the blood. 3. Unblocks the yang & transforms the qi: for edema due to accumulation of cold phlegm or weak movement of the yang qi. 4. Warms & facilitates the flow of yang qi in the chest: for palpitations due to obstruction to the flow of yang qi in the chest. This can be due to either stagnation or deficiency. 5. Warms & facilitates the flow in the blood vessels: for dysmennorrhea with or without abdominal masses. |
MeridiansHeart, Lung, Bladder |
CautionsContraindcated for warm-febrile diseases, yin deficiency with heat signs, & heat in the blood with vomiting. Use with caution during pregnancy or excessive menstruation. |
Dang Gui / Angelica (Chinese) Root | |||
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Taste: Sweet, Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Blood | |||
Dosage3-15g |
Actions1. Tonifies the blood & regulates the meses: for patterns of blood deficiency with such symptoms as a pallid, ashen complexion, tinnitus, blurred vision, & palpitations. Also very commonly used fro blood deficiency associated with menstrual disorders such as irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, etc.2. Invigorates & harmonizes the blood & disperses cold: an important herb for stopping pain due to blood stasis. Commonly used for abdominal pain, traumatic injury, & carbuncles due to blood stasis, especially when there is also cold from deficiency. Also used in the treatment of blood deficiency with chronic wind-damp painful obstruction. 3. Moistens the Intestiones & unblocks the bowels: for dry Intestines due to blood deficiency. 4. Reduces swelling, expels pus, generates flesh, & alleviates pain: used in treating sores & abscesses where its ability to both tonify & invigorate the blood leads to improvement. |
MeridiansHeart, Liver, Spleen |
CautionsUse with caution in cases of diarrhea or abdominal distention due to damp obstruction. Contraindicated for yin deficiency with heat signs. |
Chuan Xiong / Lovage Root (Ligusticum) | |||
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Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Regulate Blood • Sub Category: Invigorate Blood | |||
Dosage3-6g, up to 9g for irregular menstruation |
Actions1. Invigorates the blood & promotes the movement of qi: for any blood stasis pattern. This is an important herb in gynecology & is used for such problems as dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, difficult labor, or lochioschesis. It is also indicated for patterns of stagnant qi & blood stasis with pain & soreness in the chest, flanks, & hypochondria.2. Expels wind & alleviates pain: a leading herb for any externally contracted wind disorder characterized by headache, dizziness, or painful obsstruction. Also used for a variety of skin problems caused by wind. 3. Headaches: moves the qi upward & alleviates pain. Depending with which other herbs it is combined, it can be used for headaches due to wind, heat, cold, or blood deficiency. |
MeridiansLiver, Gallbladder, Pericardium |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with heat signs, headaches due to ascendant Liver yang, qi deficiency, or excessive menstrual bleeding. Vomiting & dizziness may occur from overdosage. May antagonize shan zhu yu & huang qi, may counteract hua shi & huang lian, & may be incompatible with li lu. |
Bai Shao Yao / Peony (White) | |||
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Taste: Bitter, Sour • Temperature: Cool • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Blood | |||
Dosage6-15g, very large doses up to 30 g |
Actions1. Nourishes the blood & regulates the menses: for blood deficiency with such symptoms as menstrual dysfunction, vaginal discharge, & uterine bleeding. This is a very commonly used herb for treating women's disorders.2. Calms & curbs the Liver yang & alleviates pain: for such symptoms as flank, chest, or abdominal pain from either constrained Liver qi or disharmony between the Liver & Spleen. In general, this herb is used to "soften & comfort" the Liver, stop painful spasms in the abdomen, stop cramping pain or spasms in the hands & feet, & alleviate abdominal pain associated with dysentric disorders. It is also used for headache & dizziness due to ascendant Liver yang. 3. Preserves the yin & adjusts the nutritive & protective levels: for vaginal discharge & spermatorrhea, as well as exterior wind-cold from deficiency patterns with continuous sweating that does not resolve the problem. It is also used for yin deficiency where the yang floats to the surface causing spontaneous sweating or night sweats. |
MeridiansLiver, Spleen |
CautionsUse with caution in cases of diarrhea due to cold from deficiency, & in patients with weak yang & cold from deficiency. May antagonize shi hu & mang xiao, may counteract with bie jia & xiao ji, & may be incompatible with li lu. |
E Jiao / Donkey Hide Gelatin | |||
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Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Blood | |||
Dosage3-15g pill or dissolved into strained decoction or wine |
Actions1. Tonifies the blood: for such symptoms as dizziness, sallow complexion, & palpitations due to blood deficiency.2. Nourishes the blood & stops bleeding: for any type of bleeding, but is best for consumptive disorders with coughing of blood, blood in the stool, excessive menstrual bleeding, or uterine bleeding. 3. Nourishes & moistens the yin: for yin deficiency with such symptoms as irritability & insomnia in the aftermath of a febrile disease. Also used for dry Lung coughs due to yin deficiency or consumption. |
MeridiansKidney, Liver, Lung |
CautionsContraindicated in cases with exterior disorders. Use with caution in cases of Spleen &/or Stomach deficiency. May counteract da huang. |
Mai Men Dong / Ophiopogon | |||
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Taste: Sweet, Slightly Bitter • Temperature: Slightly Cold • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Yin | |||
Dosage6-15g |
Actions1. Moistens the Lungs & stops cough: used whenever the Lung yin has been injured with such signs as dry cough, thick sputum that is difficult to expectorate, & coughing up blood.2. Augments the Stomach yin & generates fluids: for dry tongue & mouth due to insufficient Stomach yin. 3. Clears the Heart & eliminates irritability: for irritability due to yin deficiency or a warm-febrile disese at the nutitive level. In both cases, the feverishness & irritability worsen at night. 4. Moistens the Intestines: for constipation, dry mouth, & irritiability as an the aftermath of a febrile disease or any pattern of yin deficiency. |
MeridiansHeart , Lung , Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases with diarrhea due to cold frm deficiency, & in cases of congested fluids. May antagonize kuan dong hua & counteract ku shen & bai mu er. |
Mu Dan Pi / Moutan root bark - tree peony root bark | |||
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Taste: Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Cool • Category: Clear Heat • Sub Category: Cool Blood | |||
Dosage6-12g |
Actions1. Clears heat & cools the blood: for heat entering the blood level during a warm-febrile disease with such symptoms as nosebleed, blood in the sputum or vomit, or subcutaneous bleeding. Also for frequent & profuse menstruation due to heat in the blood.2. Clears fire from deficiency: for yin deficiency patterns such as steaming-bone disorder, particularly in the aftermath of a warm-febrile disease. Most suitable in the absence of sweating. 3. Invigorates the blood & dispels blood stasis: for Liver blood stasis patterns with amenorrhea, abdominal masses, lumps, or bruises due to traumatic injury. 4. Clears ascending Liver fire: for such symptoms as headaches, eye pain, flank pain, flushing, & dysmenorrhea. 5. Drains pus & reduces swelling: used topically for firm non-draining sores or internally for Intestinal abscess. |
MeridiansHeart, Liver, Kidney |
CautionsContraindicated for cold disorders, during pregnancy or excessive menstruation, & for yin deficiency with excessive sweating. May counteract the effects of tu si zi, bei mu, & da huang, & should be avoided when using garlic. |
Ren Shen / Panax Ginseng | |||
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Taste: Sweet, Slightly Bitter • Temperature: Slightly Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Qi | |||
Dosage1-9g, up to 30 grams (hemorrhagic shock) |
ActionsRen Shen / Panax Ginseng is used in treating patterns of qi, yang & yin deficiency.1. Strongly tonifies the basal qi: for extreme collapse of the qi or abandoned conditions that manifest in shallow respiration, shortness of breath, cold limbs, profuse sweating, & a minute or weak pulse. The herb is used alone for this condition after severe loss of blood. 2. Tonifies the Lungs & augments the qi: for wheezing, shortness of breath, & labored breathing with exertion caused by Lung qi deficiency. There is usually also a concurrent failure of the Kidneys to grasp the qi. 3. Strengthens the Spleen & tonifies the Stomach: for lethargy, lack of appetite, chest & abdominal distention, chronic diarrhea, & in severe cases, prolapse of the stomach, uterus, or rectum. 4. Generates fluids & stops thirst: for wasting & thirsting disorders, as well as in cases when the qi & fluids have been injured by high fever & profuse sweating. 5. Benefits the Heart qi & calms the spirit: for palpitations with anxiety, insomnia, forgetfulness, & restlessness due to qi & blood deficiency. Notes: Red Ginseng is more warming than White Ginseng. American Ginseng is considered cool and is better suited for those patients having a tendency towards heat signs. |
MeridiansLung, Spleen |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with heat signs, heat excess, or in the absence of significant qi deficiency. Contraindicated for hypertensive patient with ascendant Liver yang, & in cases of very high blood pressure (systolic over 180mmHg). Overdose can lead to headache, insomnia, palpitations, & a rise in blood pressure. The traditional antidote is mung bean soup. This herb may antagonize wu ling zhi & may be incompatible with li lu. Patients taking this herb are advised to abstain from drinking tea & eating tunips, as this may reduce the effect of the herb. |
Gan Cao / Licorice Root (Chinese) | |||
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Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Neutral (raw root) • Category: Tonic / Harmonize • Sub Category: Tonify Qi | |||
Dosage2-12g |
Actions1. Tonifies the Spleen & augments the qi: commonly used for Spleen deficiency with shortness of breath, lassitude, & loose stools. Also for qi or blood deficiency patterns with an irregular or intermittent pulse & /or palpitations.2. Moistens the Lungs & stops coughing: for coughing & wheezing. Because of its neutral properties, it can be used for either heat or cold in the Lungs. 3. Clears heat & relieves fire toxicity: used raw for carbuncles, sores, or sore throat due to fire toxin. For this purpose, it can be taken internally or applied topically. 4. Moderates spasms & alleviates pain: for painful spasms of the abdomen or legs. 5. Moderates & harmonizes the characteristics of other herbs: by virtue of its sweet, neutral, & moderating properties, this herb moderates hot & cold herbs, & mitigates the violent properties of other herbs. Since it is said to enter all 12 primary channels, it can lead & conduct other herbs into the channels. 6. Used as an antidote for a variety of toxic substances, both internally & topically. 7. The raw root clears heat & relieves toxicity, the honey-fried tonifies the middle & moderates spasms. |
MeridiansAll 12 channels (principally the Heart, Lung, Spleen, & Stomach) |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of excess dampness, nausea, or vomiting. May be in compatible with jing da ji, yuan hua, gan sui, & hai zao, & may antagonize yuan zhi. The toxicity of gan cao is very low, but if taken long-term it may cause hypertension &/or edema. Glycyrrhetinic acid has been reported to cause a reduction in the activity of the thyroid & a reducation in the basal metabolic rate. |
Sheng Jiang / Ginger (market fresh) Rhizome | |||
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Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Exterior Releasing - Warm • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Releases the exterior & disperses cold: for exterior cold patterns.2. Warms the middle burner & alleviates vomiting: for cold in the Stomach, especially where there is vomiting. 3. Disperses cold & stops coughing: for coughing due to both acute wind-cold cough patterns & chronic Lung disorders with phlegm. 4. Reduces the toxicty of other herbs: for detoxifying or treating overdoses from other herbs such as fu zi or ban xia. 5. Adjusts the nutritive & protective qi: for patients suffering from exterior deficiency who sweat without an improvement in their condition. |
MeridiansLung, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of Lung heat, or Stomach heat with vomiting. |
Ban Xia / Pinellia (Prepared) | |||
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Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Transform Phlegm & Stop Coughing • Sub Category: Warm & Transform Phlegm Cold | |||
Dosage4.5-12g |
Actions1. Dries dampness, transforms phlegm, & causes rebellious qi to descend: for cough with copious sputum, as in conditions of phlegm-cold in the Lungs. Especially effective in transforming phlegm due to dampness of the Spleen.2. Harmonizes the Stomach & stops vomiting: for lingering phlegm-dampness in the Stomach that rebels upward, causing nausea & vomiting. 3. Dissipates nodules & reduces distention: for nodules, pressure, distention, or pain due to phlegm lingering in the chest, phlegm nodules in the neck (such as those of goiter & scrofula), or obstructions caused by phlegm anywhere in the body. Also for focal distention in the chest & epigastrium. |
MeridiansLung, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in all cases of bleeding, cough due to yin deficiency, or depleted fluids. Use with caution in all cases with heat. May be incompatible with wu tou. Toxic: overdosage symptoms include feeling of burning & numbness in the throat, lips, queasy stomach & nausea, & a feeling of pressure in the chest. For recovery, administer raw ginger orally. |