Formula Formulas that secure irregular uterine bleeding and stop vaginal discharge

Gu Jing Wan

固经丸

Also known as:

Stabilize the Menses Pill

Formula Composition

Gui Ban
Gui Ban
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Huang Qin
Huang Qin
Huang Bo
Huang Bo
Chun Pi
Chun Pi
Xiang Fu
Xiang Fu
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Nourishes Yin
  2. Clears Heat
  3. Stops bleeding
  4. Stabilizes the menses

Patterns Treated

Heat in Uterus Blood, Heat in the Blood

Historical Origin

Essential Teachings of [Zhu] Dan-X (1481 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Gu Jing Wan

Main Actions

Nourishes Yin
Clears Heat
Stops bleeding
Stabilizes the menses

Key TCM Concepts

Gu Jing Wan is a 6-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Tortoise Plastrons (Gui Ban) and White Peony Roots (Bai Shao) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1481 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that secure irregular uterine bleeding and stop vaginal discharge. Its main actions are: 1) nourishes Yin and 2) clears Heat.

 

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 Gu Jing Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Heat in Uterus Blood or Heat in the Blood. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as dysfunctional uterine bleeding or chronic pelvic inflammatory disease for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Heat in Uterus Blood
  • Heat in the Blood

Common Applications

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease

Ingredients in Gu Jing Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Gu Jing Wan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Gui Ban
Gui Ban

Tortoise plastrons

Temperature Cool
Taste Salty, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Carapace and plastron
Role in Gu Jing Wan
Gui Ban is salty, sweet, and cooling. It tonifies the Yin Essence and descends the Fire. The combination of key and deputy herbs controls the Fire (yang) by directing it downward, as well as by fortifying the water (Yin) itself.
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Bai Shao
Bai Shao

White peony roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Gu Jing Wan
Bai Shao is sour, bitter, and cooling. It preserves the Yin and nourishes the Blood. The combination of key and deputy herbs controls the Fire (yang) by directing it downward, as well as by fortifying the water (Yin) itself.
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Huang Qin
Huang Qin

Baikal skullcap roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Large Intestine, Lungs, Small Intestine, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Gu Jing Wan
Huang Qin is bitter and cooling. It drains Heat from the Upper Burner and Blood to stop the bleeding. The combination of key and deputy herbs controls the Fire (yang) by directing it downward, as well as by fortifying the water (Yin) itself.
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Huang Bo
Huang Bo

Phellodendron bark

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys, Large Intestine
Parts Used Dried bark
Role in Gu Jing Wan
Huang Bo drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner. The combination of key and deputy herbs controls the Fire (yang) by directing it downward, as well as by fortifying the water (Yin) itself.
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Chun Pi
Chun Pi

Ailanthus barks

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Stomach, Large Intestine
Parts Used The dried bark
Role in Gu Jing Wan
Chun Pi bitter and astringent. It holds the Blood and prevents an abandoned disorder from developing, which is otherwise likely with long-term blood loss. It is considered to be of less importance than the other ingredients because, if the Heat is cleared and the Yin is enriched, the Blood will resume its normal movement in the channels and the bleeding will stop by itself. The use of an astringent, binding substance only serves to hasten this effect.
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Xiang Fu
Xiang Fu

Coco-grass rhizomes

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen, San Jiao (Triple Burner)
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Gu Jing Wan
Xiang Fu is acrid. It regulates the Qi and relieves Liver Qi Stagnation. The small dosage ensures that its warmingnature does not add to the Fire.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Gu Jing Wan

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any TCM herbal formula.

Contraindications

Contraindicated for patients with Heat due to Blood Stagnation.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Gu Jing Wan may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.