Formula Formulas that harmonize Liver-Spleen

Jia Wei Xiao Yao San

加味逍遥散

Also known as:

Bupleurum and Peony Combination , Augmented Rambling Powder

Formula Composition

Chai Hu
Chai Hu
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
Mu Dan Pi
Mu Dan Pi
Zhi Zi
Zhi Zi
Bo He
Bo He
Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Clears Liver and Spleen Qi Stagnation
  2. Tonifies Spleen
  3. Clears Deficient Heat
  4. Nourishes the blood

Patterns Treated

Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire, Qi And Blood Stagnation, Liver Qi Stagnation, Heat in the Blood, Liver Qi Stagnation with Spleen Qi Deficiency that transforms into Heat

Historical Origin

Summary of Internal Medicine (Ming dynasty)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Jia Wei Xiao Yao San

Main Actions

Clears Liver and Spleen Qi Stagnation
Tonifies Spleen
Clears Deficient Heat
Nourishes the blood

Key TCM Concepts

Jia Wei Xiao Yao San is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in Ming dynasty, it belongs to the category of formulas that harmonize Liver-Spleen. Its main actions are: 1) clears Liver and Spleen Qi Stagnation and 2) tonifies Spleen.

 

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 Jia Wei Xiao Yao San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire, Qi And Blood Stagnation or Liver Qi Stagnation. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as menstrual cramps, absence of menstruation or early menstruation for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
  • Qi And Blood Stagnation
  • Liver Qi Stagnation
  • Heat in the Blood
  • Liver Qi Stagnation with Spleen Qi Deficiency that transforms into Heat

Common Applications

Menstrual cramps Absence of menstruation Early menstruation Infertility Menorrhagia Menopausal syndrome Painful menstruation

Ingredients in Jia Wei Xiao Yao San

Detailed information about each herb in Jia Wei Xiao Yao San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Chai Hu
Chai Hu

Bupleurum roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Chai Hu spreads the Liver Qi, relieves stagnation and helps guide the other herbs into the Liver. Because of its cooling nature, it is also particularly dealing with Qi Stagnation that has started to generate Heat.
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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 Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
In general Bai Shao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain."

In the context of Jia Wei Xiao Yao San, it is used because it moves Qi and is specific for menstrual problems, especially from emotional stress.
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Fu Ling
Fu Ling

Poria-cocos mushrooms

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried sclerotium
Role in Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
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 Jia Wei Xiao Yao San, it is used because it strengthens the Spleen.
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Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Gan Cao tonifies the Spleen and, when combined with White peony roots (as is the case here), helps reduce the spasms that are often a symptoms for patients that use this formula.
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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 Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Dang Gui works together with White peony roots, the other deputy in this formula, to nourish Blood. This nourishing role also in turn helps strengthen the Liver since it stores Blood and is nourished by it.
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Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu

Atractylodes rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Bai Zhu works together with Poria mushrooms (Fu Ling) to strengthen the Spleen. Indeed, as described in the famous TCM treaty Essentials from the Golden Cabinet: "When one sees a Liver disorder, one knows that the Liver will transmit it to the Spleen. Therefore, one should first treat the Spleen." Strengthening the Spleen, since it "rules transformation and transportation", has a direct positive impact on Blood-Deficiency.
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Mu Dan Pi
Mu Dan Pi

Mudan peony bark

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Root barks
Role in Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
In general Mu Dan Pi's main actions are as follows: "Cools the Blood, activates Blood circulation and resolves Blood stasis."
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Zhi Zi
Zhi Zi

Cape jasmine fruits

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Lungs, Sanjiao, San Jiao (Triple Burner)
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
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."
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Bo He
Bo He

Wild mint

Temperature Cool
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried aerial parts
Role in Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
In general Bo He's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Wind-Heat. Clears Wind-Heat from the head, eyes and throat. Allows the release of toxins from the skin. Moves Stagnant Liver Qi"
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Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang

Fresh ginger

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Fresh root
Role in Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
In general Sheng Jiang's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning."
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Jia Wei Xiao Yao San

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, Jia Wei Xiao Yao San may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.