Formula Composition

Ma Huang

Ma Huang

Bai Zhi

Bai Zhi

Fu Ling

Fu Ling

Gan Jiang

Gan Jiang

Rou Gui

Rou Gui

Cang Zhu

Cang Zhu

Hou Pu

Hou Pu

Chen Pi

Chen Pi

Ban Xia

Ban Xia

Jie Geng

Jie Geng

Zhi Ke

Zhi Ke

Dang Gui

Dang Gui

Bai Shao

Bai Shao

Chuan Xiong

Chuan Xiong

Gan Cao

Gan Cao

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Kings

Main ingredient

Deputies

Assists main

Assistants

Supports

Envoy

Directs formula

Formula Formulas that Release the Exterior and Warm the Interior

Wu Ji San

五积散

Also known as:

Five-Accumulation Powder

Formula Properties

Main Actions

Releases the Exterior
Warms the Interior
Smoothes the flow of Qi
Transforms Phlegm
Invigorates the Blood
Reduces Stagnation

Patterns Treated

Wind-Cold, Interior Cold

Historical Origin

Secret Formulas to Manage Trauma and Reconnect Fractures Received from an Immortal (846 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Wu Ji San

Main Actions

Releases the Exterior

Warms the Interior

Smoothes the flow of Qi

Transforms Phlegm

Invigorates the Blood

Reduces Stagnation

Key TCM Concepts

Wu Ji San is a 15-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Ephedra (Ma Huang), Angelica Roots (Bai Zhi) and Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling) as principal ingredients.

Invented in 846 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that Release the Exterior and Warm the Interior. Its main actions are: 1) releases the Exterior and 2) warms the Interior.

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 Wu Ji San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Wind-Cold or Interior Cold. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as bronchiolitis, sciatica or recurrent upper respiratory tract infections for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

Wind-Cold
Interior Cold

Common Applications

Bronchiolitis Sciatica Recurrent upper respiratory tract infections Gastritis

Ingredients in Wu Ji San

Detailed information about each herb in Wu Ji San and their roles

Kings

Deputies

Assistants

Envoys

Ma Huang

Ma Huang

Ephedra

Temperature Warm

Taste Bitter, Pungent

Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Lungs

Parts Used Dried herbaceous stems

Role in Wu Ji San

Ma Huang release Cold from the Exterior. The four key herbs in the formula work together to addresses Cold Evil in both the Exterior and Interior.

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Bai Zhi

Bai Zhi

Angelica roots

Temperature Warm

Taste Pungent

Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Lungs

Parts Used Dried root

Role in Wu Ji San

Bai Zhi release Cold from the Exterior. The four key herbs in the formula work together to addresses Cold Evil in both the Exterior and Interior.

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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 Wu Ji 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 Wu Ji San, it is used because it strengthens the Spleen and transform Phlegm.

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Gan Jiang

Gan Jiang

Dried ginger

Temperature Hot

Taste Pungent

Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Stomach

Parts Used Dried rhizome

Role in Wu Ji San

Gan Jiang warms the Interior and expel Cold. The four key herbs in the formula work together to addresses Cold Evil in both the Exterior and Interior.

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Rou Gui

Rou Gui

Cinnamon bark

Temperature Hot

Taste Pungent, Sweet

Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver, Spleen

Parts Used Dried stem bark

Role in Wu Ji San

Rou Gui warms the Interior and expel Cold. The four key herbs in the formula work together to addresses Cold Evil in both the Exterior and Interior.

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Cang Zhu

Cang Zhu

Black atractylodes rhizomes

Temperature Warm

Taste Bitter, Pungent

Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach

Parts Used The dried rhizome

Role in Wu Ji San

In general Cang Zhu's main actions are as follows: "Dries Damp and tonifies the Spleen. Relieves the Exterior for invasion of Wind-Cold-Damp. Relieves Wind-Damp painful obstruction. Dries Damp for either Damp-Cold or Damp-Heat when combined with the correct herbs. Clears the eyes and improves sight."

In the context of Wu Ji San, it is used because it dries Dampness and eliminates its Stagnation.

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Hou Pu

Hou Pu

Houpu Magnolia bark

Temperature Warm

Taste Bitter, Pungent

Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach

Parts Used Dried stem bark, root bark or branch bark

Role in Wu Ji San

In general Hou Pu's main actions are as follows: "Moves Rebellious Qi downward, dries Dampness and relieves Food Stagnation. Transforms Phlegm and redirects Rebellious Qi of the Lung."

In the context of Wu Ji San, it is used because it dries Dampness and eliminates its Stagnation.

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Chen Pi

Chen Pi

Tangerine peel

Temperature Warm

Taste Bitter, Pungent

Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen

Parts Used Dried pericarp of the ripe fruit

Role in Wu Ji San

In general Chen Pi's main actions are as follows: "Warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi. Dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. Reduces the potential for Stagnation caused by tonifying herbs."

In the context of Wu Ji San, it is used because it strengthens the Spleen and transform Phlegm.

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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 Wu Ji San

In general Ban Xia's main actions are as follows: "Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention."

In the context of Wu Ji San, it is used because it strengthens the Spleen and transform Phlegm.

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Jie Geng

Jie Geng

Platycodon roots

Temperature Neutral

Taste Bitter, Pungent

Organ Affinity Lungs

Parts Used Dried root

Role in Wu Ji San

In general Jie Geng's main actions are as follows: "Opens the Lungs and smoothes the flow of Lung Qi. Expels Phlegm and pus from the Lungs and throat, can be used for either Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat according to the other herbs in the formula. Directs the actions of other herbs to the Upper Burner. "

In the context of Wu Ji San, it is used because it guides the Qi to ascend.

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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 Wu Ji San

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 Wu Ji San, it is used because it causes the Qi to descend. It resolves Qi Stagnation and assists in the transformation of Phlegm.

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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 Wu Ji San

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 Wu Ji San, it is used because it nourishes and invigorates the Blood.

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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 Wu Ji 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 Wu Ji San, it is used because it nourishes and invigorates the Blood.

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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 Wu Ji San

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 Wu Ji San, it is used because it nourishes and invigorates the Blood.

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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 Wu Ji San

In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."

In the context of Wu Ji San, it is used because it harmonizes the actions of the other herbs and strengthens the Middle Burner.

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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Wu Ji San

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated in cases with Damp-Heat or Yin Deficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Wu Ji 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.