Chinese: 温脐化湿汤
Pinyin: Wēn Qí Huà Shī Tāng
Other names: Warming the Umbilicus and Resolving Dampness Decoction
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold, Formulas that warm Yang and tonify
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: Menstrual cramps
- Supports Kidney Yang
- Supplies Spleen Qi
- Expels Cold and Dampness from the Uterus
Source date: 1827 AD
Source book: Fu Qing Zhu's Gynecology
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.
Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 1827 AD, it belongs to the categories of formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold and formulas that warm Yang and tonify. Its main actions are: 1) supports Kidney Yang and 2) supplies Spleen 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 Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Cold in the Uterus. 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 seven ingredients in Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang helps treat.
The seven ingredients in Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang
Bai Zhu is a king ingredient in Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Bai Zhu's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi."
In the context of Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang, it is used because it nourishes the Qi of the back and umbilicus.
2. Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
Part used: Dried sclerotium
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLungSpleen
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
In general Fu Ling's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit."
In the context of Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang, it is used because it resolves Dampness.
3. Morinda Roots (Ba Ji Tian)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency
In general Ba Ji Tian's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Kidney Yang. Expels Wind-Damp-Cold painful obstruction (Bi Pain)."
In the context of Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang, it is used because it removes obstructions from the Directing Vessel (Ren Mai).
4. Ginkgo Nuts (Bai Guo)
Part used: Dried ripe seed
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: Lung
Category: Herbs that stabilize and bind
In general Bai Guo's main actions are as follows: "Assists the Lung Qi, stops cough and expels Phlegm. Stops leakage of Bodily Fluids."
In the context of Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang, it is used because it removes obstructions from the Directing Vessel (Ren Mai).
5. Hyacinth Beans (Bai Bian Dou)
Part used: Dried ripe seeds
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Bai Bian Dou's main actions are as follows: "Treats Summer Heat. Strengthens the Spleen and clears Damp-Heat. Relieves diarrhea and vomiting."
In the context of Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang, it is used because it protects the Penetrating Vessel (Chong Mai).
6. Yam (Shan Yao)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLungSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Shan Yao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing."
In the context of Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang, it is used because it protects the Penetrating Vessel (Chong Mai).
7. Lotus Seeds (Lian Zi)
Part used: Dried ripe seed
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneySpleen
Category: Herbs that stabilize and bind
In general Lian Zi's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen, stops diarrhea. Strengthens the Kidneys, reinforces Essence. Nourishes the Blood and calms the mind."
In the context of Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang, it is used because it protects the Penetrating Vessel (Chong Mai).
Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang is used to treat Cold in the Uterus
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 Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang is mostly used to treat the pattern "Cold in the Uterus" which we describe below.
But before we delve into Cold in the Uterus it is worth mentioning that it is often associated with the condition "menstrual cramps". Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang treats menstrual cramps". Rather, Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang is used to treat Cold in the Uterus, which is sometimes the root cause behind menstrual cramps.
Now let's look at Cold in the Uterus, a pattern that TCM practitioners commonly treat with Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang.
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
Wen Qi Hua Shi 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
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