Chinese: 宣郁通经汤
Pinyin: Xuān Yù Tōng Jīng Tāng
Other names: Dispersing Stagnation and Unblock Meridians Decoction, Diffuse Constraint and Unblock the Channels Decoction
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: Menstrual cramps
- Pacifies the Liver
- Removes Stagnation
- Drains Fire
- Unblocks the Meridians
Source date: 1826 AD
Source book: Fu Qing-Zhu's Women's Disorders
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.
Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with White Peony Roots (Bai Shao) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 1826 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation. Its main actions are: 1) pacifies the Liver and 2) removes Stagnation.
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 Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as menstrual cramps for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the ten ingredients in Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang helps treat.
The ten ingredients in Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang
Bai Shao is a king ingredient in Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Bai Shao enters the Liver and Spleen. It nourishes the Blood, pacifies the Liver and relieves spasmodic abdominal pain. It is also able to unblock the Blood vessels and promote water metabolism.
2. Dong Quai (Dang Gui)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Dang Gui is acrid, sweet, and warm. It nourishes and invigorates the Blood and it supports the White peony root in harmonizing the Liver.
3. Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi)
Part used: Root barks
Nature: Cool
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
In general Mu Dan Pi's main actions are as follows: "Cools the Blood, activates Blood circulation and resolves Blood stasis."
In the context of Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, it is used because it clears Liver Heat.
4. Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: GallbladderHeartLungSanjiao
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
In general Zhi Zi's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and calms spirit. Drains Damp-Heat affecting the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears Heat in the Blood and stops bleeding. Anti-inflammatory."
In the context of Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, it is used because it clears Liver Heat.
5. King Solomon's Seal Roots (Huang Jing)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLungSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Huang Jing's main actions are as follows: "Supply Qi and nourish Ying. Tonifies the Spleen. Moistens Dryness. Tonifies the Kidneys and supplements Essence."
In the context of Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, it is used because it clears Liver Heat.
6. White Mustard Seeds (Bai Jie Zi)
In general Bai Jie Zi's main actions are as follows: "Warms the lungs. Eliminates Phlegm and regulated Qi. Dissipates nodules and unblocks the Meridians to relieve pain."
In the context of Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, it is used because it regulates Qi in the diaphragm and thus helps to pacify Liver Qi.
7. Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu)
In general Chai Hu's main actions are as follows: "Harmonizes exterior and interior. Smoothes the Liver and upraises the Yang."
In the context of Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, it is used because it pacifies the Liver, moves Qi and eliminates Stagnation.
8. Coco-Grass Rhizomes (Xiang Fu)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSanjiaoSpleen
Category: Herbs that regulate Qi
In general Xiang Fu's main actions are as follows: "Unblocks Stagnant Liver Qi and relieves pain. Regulates the Liver and Spleen. Assists the regulation of menses and relieves pain."
In the context of Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, it is used because it pacifies the Liver, moves Qi and eliminates Stagnation.
9. Turmeric Tubers (Yu Jin)
Part used: Dried root tuber
Nature: Cold
Meridian affinity: HeartLiverLung
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Yu Jin's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood, breaks Stasis and reduces associated pain. Regulates the Liver and relieves patterns of Stagnant Qi with pain. Clears the Heart and Cools the Blood. Relieves Stagnation and clears Heat in the Liver and Gallbladder. Relieves jaundice."
In the context of Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, it is used because it pacifies the Liver, relieve pain, moves Qi and eliminates Stagnation.
10. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."
In the context of Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, it is used because it harmonizes all ingredients.
Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang is used to treat Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
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 Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang is mostly used to treat the pattern "Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire" which we describe below.
But before we delve into Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire it is worth mentioning that it is often associated with the condition "menstrual cramps". Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang treats menstrual cramps". Rather, Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang is used to treat Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire, which is sometimes the root cause behind menstrual cramps.
Now let's look at Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire, a pattern that TCM practitioners commonly treat with Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Red points on the sides
Symptoms: Anger Thirst Red face Red eyes Red lips Insomnia Moodiness Dizziness Headaches Melancholy Depression Dry stools Dense milk Irritability Constipation Heavy periods Abdominal pain Feeling of heat Menstrual cramps Breast distention Outbursts of anger Sore and weak limbs Premenstrual tension Dark menstrual blood Epigastric distension Scanty and dark urine Irregular menstruation Hypochondrial distention Bitter taste in the mouth Feeling of lump in the throat Premenstrual breast distension Feeling of oppression of the chest Distention and pain in the chest and hypochondria
Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire. This pattern leads to symptoms such as hypochondrial distention, epigastric distension, feeling of oppression of the chest and irritability. Patients with Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire typically exhibit wiry (Xian) pulses as well as Red on the sides .
This pattern develops from Liver Qi Stagnation, which creates excessive amount of Heat and then turn into Liver Heat. It manifests with a feeling of heat, a red face and desire to drink.
From a mental emotional perspective, patients tend to be irritable, anxious, moody and prone to outbursts of... read more about Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
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