Formula Formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness

Wu Lin San

五淋散

Also known as:

Powder for Five Types of Painful Urinary Dribbling

Formula Composition

Zhi Zi
Zhi Zi
Chi Fu Ling
Chi Fu Ling
Chi Shao
Chi Shao
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
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King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistant
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Clears heat
  2. Cools the Blood
  3. Promotes urination
  4. Unblocks painful urinary dribbling

Patterns Treated

Damp-Cold in the Bladder

Historical Origin

Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People in the Taiping Era (1107 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Wu Lin San

Main Actions

Clears heat
Cools the Blood
Promotes urination
Unblocks painful urinary dribbling

Key TCM Concepts

Wu Lin San is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1107 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness. Its main actions are: 1) clears heat and 2) cools 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 Wu Lin San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Damp-Cold in the Bladder. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as urethritis, cystitis or urinary stones for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Damp-Cold in the Bladder

Common Applications

Urethritis Cystitis Urinary stones Gonorrhea Appendicitis

Ingredients in Wu Lin San

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

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
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 Wu Lin San
Zhi Zi clears Heat from the Qi aspect via the Triple Burner and cools and moves the Blood. It is ideally suited for a pattern characterized by Damp-Heat leading to reckless movement of the Blood.
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Chi Fu Ling
Chi Fu Ling

Red poria

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys
Parts Used The outer red part of the dried sclerotium
Role in Wu Lin San
Chi Fu Ling drains Damp-Heat from the Heart, Small Intestine, and Bladder by promoting urination and unblocking the lower body orifices.
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Chi Shao
Chi Shao

Red peony roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Liver
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Wu Lin San
Chi Shao enters into the Blood aspect to dispel Stagnated Heat, enhancing the efficacy of the key herb Zhi Zi in that respect. It also moves the Blood, stops abdominal pain and promotes urination.
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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 Lin San
Dang Gui moves the Blood to dispel Stasis and stops the abdominal pain. It also nourishes the Blood to compensate for any blood loss.
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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 Lin 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 Lin San, it is used because it drains Fire, resolves toxicity, and harmonizes the actions of the other ingredients.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Wu Lin San

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

Contraindications

To be used for Excess acute conditions. Avoid using it to treat chronic conditions or patterns characterized by Deficiency and Cold.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Wu Lin 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.