Formula Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation

Wen Jing Tang

温经汤

Also known as:

Flow-Warming Decoction , Warming the Menses Decoction

Formula Composition

Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi
Wu Zhu Yu
Wu Zhu Yu
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Mu Dan Pi
Mu Dan Pi
Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang
Dang Shen
Dang Shen
Mai Dong
Mai Dong
Ban Xia
Ban Xia
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
E Jiao
E Jiao
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistant
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Warms the Uterus and vessels
  2. Nourishes Blood
  3. Dispels Cold
  4. Dispels Blood Stagnation

Patterns Treated

Cold in the Uterus, Qi And Blood Stagnation, Full Cold in the Directing and Penetraing Vessels, Dampness and Phlegm in the Uterus

Historical Origin

Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (220 AD )

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Wen Jing Tang

Main Actions

Warms the Uterus and vessels
Nourishes Blood
Dispels Cold
Dispels Blood Stagnation

Key TCM Concepts

Wen Jing Tang is a 12-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) and Evodia Fruits (Wu Zhu Yu) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation. Its main actions are: 1) warms the Uterus and vessels and 2) nourishes 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 Wen Jing Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Cold in the Uterus, Qi And Blood Stagnation or Full Cold in the Directing and Penetraing Vessels. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as menstrual cramps, late menstruation or menopausal syndrome for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Cold in the Uterus
  • Qi And Blood Stagnation
  • Full Cold in the Directing and Penetraing Vessels
  • Dampness and Phlegm in the Uterus

Common Applications

Menstrual cramps Late menstruation Menopausal syndrome Dysfunctional uterine bleeding Uterine hypoplasia Endometrial hyperplasia Endometriosis Leiomyoma Polycystic ovaries Infertility Habitual miscarriage Threatened abortion Perimenopausal syndrome Vaginitis Erectile dysfunction Oligospermia Benign prostatic hypertrophy Sciatica

Ingredients in Wen Jing Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Wen Jing Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi

Cinnamon twigs

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried young branches
Role in Wen Jing Tang
In general Gui Zhi's main actions are as follows: "Adjusts the nutritive Ying and defensive Wei Qi. Relieves the Exterior through sweating. Warms and disperses Cold. Removes obstruction of Yang. Promotes the circulation of Yang Qi in the chest. Regulates and moves blood."

In the context of Wen Jing Tang, it is used because it enters the Food Qi (nutritive Qi) to improve circulation in the Blood vessels and disperse Cold.
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Wu Zhu Yu
Wu Zhu Yu

Evodia fruits

Temperature Hot
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried nearly ripe fruit
Role in Wen Jing Tang
Wu Zhu Yu is acrid, bitter, and heating. It enters the Liver and Kidney Channels to disperse Cold and stop pain.
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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 Wen Jing Tang
Dang Gui nourishes and invigorates Blood, which is necessary because the obstruction of the Uterus by Cold prevents new Blood from taking its proper place there. It also regulates the menstruation, tonifies the Yin and regulates the Liver.
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Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong

Szechuan lovage roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Wen Jing Tang
In general Chuan Xiong's main actions are as follows: "Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches."

In the context of Wen Jing Tang, it is used because it invigorates and nourishes the Blood, unblocks Blood Stagnation and regulates the menses.
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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 Wen Jing Tang
Bai Shao nourishes and invigorates Blood, which is necessary because the obstruction of the Uterus by Cold prevents new Blood from taking its proper place there. It also regulates the menstruation, tonifies the Yin and regulates the Liver.
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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 Wen Jing Tang
Mu Dan Pi dispels Blood Stagnation and facilitates the menses, clear any Empty Heat which might arise from Blood Deficiency
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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 Wen Jing Tang
Sheng Jiang tonifies Qi and harmonizes the Spleen and Stomach to strengthen the source of production and transformation so that Yang can produce Yin and the Blood may not be Deficient.
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Dang Shen
Dang Shen

Codonopsis roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Wen Jing Tang
Dang Shen tonifies Qi and harmonizes the Spleen and Stomach to strengthen the source of production and transformation so that Yang can produce Yin and the Blood may not be Deficient.
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Mai Dong
Mai Dong

Dwarf lilyturf roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root tuber
Role in Wen Jing Tang
Mai Dong nourishes the Blood, tonifies the Yin, and regulates the Liver. In this formula, together with Donkey-hide gelatin, they focus on nourishing the Yin, moistening Dryness, and clearing Heat from Deficiency.
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Ban Xia
Ban Xia

Crow-dipper rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome and tuber
Role in Wen Jing Tang
Ban Xia tonifies Qi and harmonizes the Spleen and Stomach to strengthen the source of production and transformation so that Yang can produce Yin and the Blood may not be Deficient. It also harmonizes the Uterus via the Stomach channel to which it is connected through the Penetrating Meridian.
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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 Wen Jing Tang
Gan Cao tonifies Qi and harmonizes the Spleen and Stomach to strengthen the source of production and transformation so that Yang can produce Yin and the Blood may not be Deficient. It also harmonizes the actions of the various herbs in the formula.
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E Jiao
E Jiao

Donkey-hide gelatin

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Solid glue prepared from the dried or fresh skin of donkeys
Role in Wen Jing Tang
E Jiao nourishes the Blood, tonifies the Yin, and regulates the Liver. In this formula, together with Dwarf lilyturf root, they focus on nourishing the Yin, moistening Dryness, and clearing Heat from Deficiency.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Wen Jing Tang

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated for people who have abdominal masses due to Blood Stagnation from excess.

Herb-Drug Interactions

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