Chinese: 润肠丸
Pinyin: Rùn Cháng Wán
Other names: Moisten the Intestines Pill from Master Shen's Book
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that moisten Intestines and unblock bowels
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: ConstipationLong-standing constipation
- Moistens the Intestines
- Unblocks the bowels
Source date: 1773 AB
Source book: Shen's Book for Revering Life
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.
Run Chang Wan is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Hemp Seeds (Huo Ma Ren) and Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 1773 AB, it belongs to the category of formulas that moisten Intestines and unblock bowels. Its main actions are: 1) moistens the Intestines and 2) unblocks the bowels.
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.
From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as constipation or long-standing constipation for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the five ingredients in Run Chang Wan, we review the patterns and conditions that Run Chang Wan helps treat.
The five ingredients in Run Chang Wan
Huo Ma Ren is a king ingredient in Run Chang 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
Huo Ma Ren contains a high concentration of oils that moisturize the Intestines and unclog the guts. Hemp seeds along with peach kernels help in situations of constipation caused by Yin Deficiency.
Tao Ren is a king ingredient in Run Chang Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Peach Kernels (Tao Ren)
Part used: Dried ripe seed
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: HeartLarge intestineLiver
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Tao Ren contains a high concentration of oils that moisturize the Intestines and unclog the guts. Hemp seeds along with peach kernels help in situations of constipation caused by Yin Deficiency.
Dang Gui is a deputy ingredient in Run Chang Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Dong Quai (Dang Gui)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Dang Gui's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation."
In the context of Run Chang Wan, it is used because it nourishes the Blood and helps in moistening the desiccated Intestines.
Di Huang is an assistant ingredient in Run Chang Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
4. Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang)
Part used: Prepared dried root tuber
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
In general Di Huang's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat by Cooling Blood. Tonifies Yin by promoting Fluid production. Soothes the Heart by calming Blazing Fire. Cools and nourishes."
In the context of Run Chang Wan, it is used because it nourishes the Yin which is the root of this condition.
Zhi Ke is an assistant ingredient in Run Chang Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
5. Bitter Oranges (Zhi Ke)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Herbs that regulate Qi
Zhi Ke reinforces the laxative effect of the formula thanks to its ability to moves Qi. It also prevents the other herbs cloying nature from injuring the Spleen and Stomach.
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