Chinese: 麻子仁丸
Pinyin: Má Zǐ Rén Wán
Other names: Hemp Seed Pill, Cannabis Pill,
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that moisten Intestines and unblock bowels
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: HemorrhoidsConstipationReflux gastritis and five other conditions
- Moistens the Intestines
- Invigorates Qi
- Unblocks the bowels
- Drains Heat
Contraindications: Contraindicated during pregnancy. It should also be used with caution when... Contraindicated during pregnancy. It should also be used with caution when treating constipation only due to Blood Deficiency or these who are very weak. It is because the formula is very strong and most herbs has the function of draining, dispersing, or purgative. see more
Source date: 220 AD
Source book: Discussion of Cold Damage
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Ma Zi Ren Wan is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Hemp Seeds (Huo Ma Ren) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that moisten Intestines and unblock bowels. Its main actions are: 1) moistens the Intestines and 2) invigorates Qi.
In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.
In this case Ma Zi Ren Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Heat in the Large Intestine or Large Intestine Dryness. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as incomplete intestinal obstruction, postoperative ileus or atrophic gastritis for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the seven ingredients in Ma Zi Ren Wan, we review the patterns and conditions that Ma Zi Ren Wan helps treat.
The seven ingredients in Ma Zi Ren Wan
Huo Ma Ren is a king ingredient in Ma Zi Ren Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Hemp Seeds (Huo Ma Ren)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: Large intestineSpleenStomach
Category: Laxative herbs that drain downward
In general Huo Ma Ren's main actions are as follows: "Moistens the Intestines and unblocks Food Stagnation caused by Dryness. Nourishes the Yin and relieves constipation caused by Yin Deficiency. Cools Heat and aids healing of sores."
In the context of Ma Zi Ren Wan, it is used because it is rich in oils which can be used to moisten the Intestines and unblock the bowels.
Xing Ren is a deputy ingredient in Ma Zi Ren Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. Apricot Seeds (Xing Ren)
Part used: Dried ripe seeds
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: Large intestineLung
Category: Herbs that relieve coughing and wheezing
In general Xing Ren's main actions are as follows: "Stops cough and wheezing caused by either Heat or Cold. Lubricates the Intestines and relieves constipation."
In the context of Ma Zi Ren Wan, it is used because it is rich in oil which helps bowel movement. It also support Qi descending.
Bai Shao is a deputy ingredient in Ma Zi Ren Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Bai Shao is bitter, sour, and slightly cold. It enters the Spleen, nourishes the Yin and harmonizes the interior.
Zhi Shi is an assistant ingredient in Ma Zi Ren Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
4. Immature Bitter Oranges (Zhi Shi)
Part used: Dried unripe fruit
Nature: Cool
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomachLarge intestine
Category: Herbs that regulate Qi
In general Zhi Shi's main actions are as follows: "Regulates the flow of Qi in the Middle Burner and reduces Food Stagnation. Moves Qi downward and helps constipation. Reduces Stagnant Phlegm and lessens distention and pain. For prolapse of organs when used with the appropriate herbs."
In the context of Ma Zi Ren Wan, it is used because it breaks up accumulation, particularly in the Intestines.
Hou Pu is an assistant ingredient in Ma Zi Ren Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
5. Houpu Magnolia Bark (Hou Pu)
Part used: Dried stem bark, root bark or branch bark
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: LungSpleenStomach
Category: Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
In general Hou Pu's main actions are as follows: "Moves Rebellious Qi downward, dries Dampness and relieves Food Stagnation. Transforms Phlegm and redirects Rebellious Qi of the Lung."
In the context of Ma Zi Ren Wan, it is used because it removes the feeling of fullness or distention.
Da Huang is an assistant ingredient in Ma Zi Ren Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. Rhubarb (Da Huang)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomachLarge intestineLiverPericardium
Category: Purgative herbs that drain downward
In general Da Huang's main actions are as follows: "Drains Excess Heat and eliminates Dampness, especially when in the Bright Yang stage according to the Six Stages Theory. Cools the Blood and stops bleeding. Invigorates Blood, breaks up Stasis and relieves pain. Clears Heat and toxins from Excess. Applied topically for Hot sores and Blood Stasis."
In the context of Ma Zi Ren Wan, it is used because it is a purgative.
Feng Mi is an envoy ingredient in Ma Zi Ren Wan. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
7. Honey (Feng Mi)
Part used: Honey
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: StomachLarge intestineLung
Category: Laxative herbs that drain downward
Feng Mi is sweet and it harmonizes the actions of the other herbs. It also moistens the Intestines and helps forming the pill shape.
Conditions and patterns for which Ma Zi Ren Wan may be prescribed
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Ma Zi Ren Wan is used by TCM practitioners to treat two different patterns which we describe below.
But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:
Incomplete intestinal obstruction Postoperative ileus Atrophic gastritis Reflux gastritis Hemorrhoids Bleeding post-hemorrhoidectomy Habitual constipation Constipation
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Ma Zi Ren Wan treats incomplete intestinal obstruction" for instance. Rather, Ma Zi Ren Wan is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind incomplete intestinal obstruction.
Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Ma Zi Ren Wan.
The Large Intestine is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Large Intestine in Chinese Medicine
Heat in the Large Intestine
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Full (Shi)
Symptoms: Dry stools Dry tongue Constipation Anus swelling Scanty and dark urine Burning sensation in the anus Burning sensation in the mouth
Ma Zi Ren Wan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Heat in the Large Intestine. This pattern leads to symptoms such as constipation, burning sensation in the mouth, burning sensation in the anus and scanty and dark urine. Patients with Heat in the Large Intestine typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or full (Shi) pulses.
Generally speaking, this pattern happens more as acute condition. The Full Heat burns the Body Fluids in the Large Intestine and give rises to Dryness, hence the symptoms of dry stools, burning and swelling of anus, thick yellow dry coating and a Rapid pulse.
The Stomach is closely related to the... read more about Heat in the Large Intestine
The Large Intestine is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Large Intestine in Chinese Medicine
Large Intestine Dryness
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi)
Symptoms: Dry mouth Thin body Dizziness Dry stools Dry throat Bad breath
Ma Zi Ren Wan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Large Intestine Dryness. This pattern leads to symptoms such as dry stools, dry mouth, dry throat and thin body. Patients with Large Intestine Dryness typically exhibit fine (Xi) pulses.
This pattern is featured by a state of Dryness and Body Fluids Deficiency in the Large Intestine and the Stomach, hence the symptoms of dry mouth, dry throat and dry stools. Also, it always happens together with Stomach Yin Deficiency, because the Stomach and the Large Intestine are closely... read more about Large Intestine Dryness
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