Chinese: 少腹逐瘀汤
Pinyin: Shǎo Fù Zhú Yū Tāng
Other names: Drive Out Stasis from the Lower Abdomen Decoction
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
Mother formula: Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: Menstrual crampsLate menstruationScanty menstruation and one other condition
- Expels Cold and warm the menstruation Blood
- Stops pain
- Invigorates Blood
- Dispels Blood stagnation
Source date: 1830 AD
Source book: Correction of Errors Among Physicians
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.
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 1830 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation. Its main actions are: 1) expels Cold and warm the menstruation Blood and 2) stops pain.
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 Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Blood Stagnation, Cold in the Uterus or Qi And Blood Stagnation. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as scanty menstruation, menstrual cramps or late menstruation for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the ten ingredients in Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang helps treat.
The ten ingredients in Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Chuan Xiong is a king ingredient in Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
Meridian affinity: GallbladderLiverPericardium
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Chuan Xiong's main actions are as follows: "Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches."
In the context of Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it invigorates the Blood and dispels Blood Stagnation.
2. Fennel Seeds (Xiao Hui Xiang)
Part used: Dried ripe fruits
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
In general Xiao Hui Xiang's main actions are as follows: "Expels Cold and relieves pain. Regulates Qi of the Stomach."
In the context of Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it warms the Uterus and expels Cold.
3. Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang)
In general Gan Jiang's main actions are as follows: "Warms the Spleen and expels Cold. Restores collapse of Yang and expels Interior Cold. Warms the Lungs and assists expectoration of Cold Phlegm. Stops chronic bleeding caused by Cold."
In the context of Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it warms the Uterus and expels Cold.
4. Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui)
In general Rou Gui's main actions are as follows: "Warms the Spleen and Kidneys and tonifies the Yang. Expels Cold, Warms the meridians, promotes circulation of Qi and Blood and relieves pain. Used with tonics to assist in the generation of Qi and Blood."
In the context of Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it warms the Uterus and expels Cold.
5. Corydalis Tubers (Yan Hu Suo)
Part used: Dried tuber
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenHeartLiverLung
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Yan Hu Suo's main actions are as follows: "Moves the Blood, breaks Blood Stagnation and reduces associated pain. Regulates Stagnant Qi and reduces associated pain."
In the context of Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it invigorates Blood, eliminates Stagnation and stops pain.
6. Myrrh (Mo Yao)
Part used: Dried resin of the tree
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: SpleenHeartLiver
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Mo Yao's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood and relieves Stagnation and pain caused by Blood Stagnation. Assists in wound healing."
In the context of Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it invigorates Blood and stops pain.
7. Flying Squirrel Faeces (Wu Ling Zhi)
Part used: Dried faeces
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenLiver
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Wu Ling Zhi's main actions are as follows: "Disperses congealed Blood in the lower abdomen and uterus and relieves pain. Promotes childhood nutrition with Cold Stagnation and focal abdominal swelling."
In the context of Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it invigorates Blood, eliminates Stagnation and stops pain.
8. 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 Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it invigorates the Blood and dispels Blood Stagnation. It also nourishes the Blood and moistens.
9. Red Peony Roots (Chi Shao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Cool
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: Liver
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Chi Shao's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood, relieves pain and reduces swelling. Cools the Blood and the Liver."
In the context of Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it invigorates the Blood and dispels Blood Stagnation.
10. Cattail Pollen (Pu Huang)
Part used: Dried pollen
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: SpleenHeartLiverPericardium
Category: Herbs that stop bleeding
In general Pu Huang's main actions are as follows: "Stops bleeding by Cooling pathogenic Heat. Moves Blood and relieves Blood Stagnation."
In the context of Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it invigorates Blood and stops pain.
Conditions and patterns for which Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang 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 Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang is used by TCM practitioners to treat four 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:
Scanty menstruation Menstrual cramps Late menstruation Absence of menstruation
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang treats scanty menstruation" for instance. Rather, Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind scanty menstruation.
Now let's look at the four patterns commonly treated with Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang.
Blood (Xue) is one of Chinese Medicine's vital subtances. Learn more about Blood in Chinese Medicine
Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Firm (Lao), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Reddish-Purple
Symptoms: Lumps Tremor Numbness Dark face Dizziness Purple lips Purple nails Blotchy skin Restlessness Itching scalp Painful period Abdominal mass Scanty periods Abdominal pain Abdominal masses Skin capillaries Hesitant periods Tendency to bleed Premenstrual pain Dark colored blood Traumatic swelling Shoulder stiffness Absence of menstruation Boring fixed stabbing pain Frequent bleeding episodes Dark clots in menstrual blood Abdominal distention and fullness
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Blood Stagnation. This pattern leads to symptoms such as dark face, purple lips, boring fixed stabbing pain and abdominal masses. Patients with Blood Stagnation typically exhibit choppy (Se), firm (Lao) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as Purple tongue .
Blood Stagnation - also often referred to as "Blood Stasis" - is where the Blood flow is heavily restricted in all or parts of the body. It is one of the most important diagnostic conditions in Chinese Medicine because it is frequently the cause of intractable pain syndromes anywhere in the... read more about Blood Stagnation
The Uterus is a so-called "Extraordinary" Organ. Learn more about the Uterus in Chinese Medicine
Cold in the Uterus
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Soggy (Ru)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Symptoms: Fatigue Diarrhea Lassitude Sore back No period Sore legs Pale face Tiredness Amenorrhea Cold limbs Infertility Late period Loose stools Poor appetite Scanty periods Painful period Abdominal pain Feeling of cold Low sexual desire Frequent urination Dark colored blood Cold hands and feet Lower abdominal pain Irregular menstruation Pain relieved with heat Dark clots in menstrual blood Thin and watery vaginal discharge
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Cold in the Uterus. This pattern leads to symptoms such as loose stools, poor appetite, fatigue and lassitude. Patients with Cold in the Uterus typically exhibit deep (Chen) or soggy (Ru) pulses as well as Pale tongue with white coating.
O'Cold in the Uterus' is one the most common TCM pattern for women. It can be responsible for many gynecological diseases such as menstrual cramps, irregular periods, late period, scanty period, amenorrhea, infertility, etc.
The Cold here mainly refers to Wind-Cold or Damp-Cold which can invade the... read more about Cold in the Uterus
Qi is one of Chinese Medicine's vital subtances. Learn more about Qi in Chinese Medicine
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Deep (Chen), Fine (Xi)
Symptoms: Insomnia Dark face Moodiness Dizziness Chest pain Depression Amenorrhea Purple lips Mood swings Breast pain Hot flushes Purple nails Irritability Blotchy skin Restlessness Breast lumps Restlnessness Chest fullness Painful period Scanty periods Clots in blood Abdominal pain Abdominal masses Lochia retention Breast distention Dark colored blood Abdominal fullness Intense period pain High blood pressure Swelling of the feet Lower abdominal pain Dark menstrual blood Flooding and leaking Abdominal distension Pre-menstrual tension Black and tarry stools Irregular menstruation Boring fixed stabbing pain Pre-menstrual irritability Dark clots in menstrual blood Menstruation decreases gratually Feeling of fullness in the chest Abdominal distention and fullness Pain relief after clots discharge
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Qi And Blood Stagnation. This pattern leads to symptoms such as chest fullness, chest pain, boring fixed stabbing pain and dark face. Patients with Qi And Blood Stagnation typically exhibit choppy (Se), deep (Chen) or fine (Xi) pulses.
The typical symptoms of Qi stagnation are distension, oppression and swelling. There are also emotional issues like mood swing, depression or irritability. However, the Blood Stagnation is more on pains and purple color manifestation on skin, face, lips and nails.
Qi Stagnation can cause the... read more about Qi And Blood Stagnation
The Triple Burner is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Triple Burner in Chinese Medicine
Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner caused by Cold
Symptoms: Painful period Lower back pain Abdominal masses Lower abdominal pain Abnormal uterine bleeding Lower abdominal distension Dark clots in menstrual blood
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner caused by Cold. This pattern leads to symptoms such as abdominal masses, lower abdominal pain, lower abdominal distension and lower back pain.
Learn more about Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner caused by Cold
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