Formula Formulas that moisten Intestines and unblock bowels

Ji Chuan Jian

济川煎

Also known as:

Benefit the River Decoction

Formula Composition

Rou Cong Rong
Rou Cong Rong
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Niu Xi
Niu Xi
Ze Xie
Ze Xie
Zhi Ke
Zhi Ke
Sheng Ma
Sheng Ma
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistant
Supports
Envoys
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Warms the Kidneys
  2. Nourishes the Blood
  3. Strengthens the Essence
  4. Moistens the Intestines
  5. Unblocks bowels

Patterns Treated

Kidney Yang Deficiency

Historical Origin

Collected Treatises of Zhang Jing-Yue (1624 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Ji Chuan Jian

Main Actions

Warms the Kidneys
Nourishes the Blood
Strengthens the Essence
Moistens the Intestines
Unblocks bowels

Key TCM Concepts

Ji Chuan Jian is a 6-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Desert-Living Cistanches (Rou Cong Rong) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1624 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that moisten Intestines and unblock bowels. Its main actions are: 1) warms the Kidneys and 2) nourishes the Blood .

 

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 Ji Chuan Jian is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Kidney Yang Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as constipation, constipation in the elderly or habitual constipation for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Kidney Yang Deficiency

Common Applications

Constipation Constipation in the elderly Habitual constipation Postpartum constipation

Ingredients in Ji Chuan Jian

Detailed information about each herb in Ji Chuan Jian and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Rou Cong Rong
Rou Cong Rong

Desert-living cistanches

Temperature Warm
Taste Salty, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Large Intestine
Parts Used Dried stem
Role in Ji Chuan Jian
Rou Cong Rong warms and tonifies the Kidney Yang, warms the lower back, and moistens the Intestines to unblock the bowels.
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Dang Gui
Dang Gui

Dong quai

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Ji Chuan Jian
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 Ji Chuan Jian, it is used because it nourishes and harmonizes the Blood and moistens the Intestines.
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Niu Xi
Niu Xi

Achyranthes roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Ji Chuan Jian
Niu Xi strengthens the lower back and the Kidneys. It also has a descending nature that focuses theactions of the formula on the Lower Burner.
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Ze Xie
Ze Xie

Water plantain

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried tuber
Role in Ji Chuan Jian
Ze Xie has a descending nature that drains turbidity from the Kidneys. Together with Achyranthes root, it facilitates movement and guides the actions of the other herbs downward. It also prevents the moistening property of the key herb from causing Stagnation.
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Zhi Ke
Zhi Ke

Bitter oranges

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent, Sour
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Ji Chuan Jian
In general Zhi Ke's main actions are as follows: "To regulate the flow of Qi, remove its stagnation, and alleviate distension."

In the context of Ji Chuan Jian, it is used because it relaxes the Intestines and directs the Qi downward, thus helping to unblock the bowels.
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Sheng Ma
Sheng Ma

Bugbane rhizomes

Temperature Cool
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Large Intestine, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Ji Chuan Jian
Sheng Ma raises the clear Yang as a subtle inducement to the descent of the turbid Yin. In combination with Bitter orange, one ascending and the other descending, they enhance the Kidney Qi circulation.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Ji Chuan Jian

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

Herb-Drug Interactions

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