Formula Formulas that expel parasites

Wu Mei Wan

乌梅丸

Also known as:

Mume Pill

Formula Composition

Wu Mei
Wu Mei
Hua Jiao
Hua Jiao
Xi Xin
Xi Xin
Huang Lian
Huang Lian
Huang Bo
Huang Bo
Gan Jiang
Gan Jiang
Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi
Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Zhi Fu Zi
Zhi Fu Zi
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Warms the Organs
  2. Drains Heat
  3. Calms roundworms
  4. Drains the Liver
  5. Calms the Stomach

Patterns Treated

Terminal Yin stage, Intestinal Parasite

Historical Origin

Discussion of Cold Damage (220 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Wu Mei Wan

Main Actions

Warms the Organs
Drains Heat
Calms roundworms
Drains the Liver
Calms the Stomach

Key TCM Concepts

Wu Mei Wan is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Chinese Plums (Wu Mei) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that expel parasites. Its main actions are: 1) warms the Organs and 2) drains Heat.

 

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 Mei Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Terminal Yin stage or Intestinal Parasite. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as ascariasis, biliary ascariasis or hookworm for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Terminal Yin stage
  • Intestinal Parasite

Common Applications

Ascariasis Biliary ascariasis Hookworm Chronic bacillary dysentery Ulcerative colitis Irritable bowel syndrome Cholelithiasis Cholecystitis Peptic ulcers Keratitis Corneal ulcers Glaucoma Apthous ulcers Purulent otitis Meniere's disease Abdominal pain due to parasites Intestinal parasites Parasites Liver fluke Ascaris migration to the diaphragm

Ingredients in Wu Mei Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Wu Mei Wan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Wu Mei
Wu Mei

Chinese plums

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sour
Organ Affinity Large Intestine, Liver, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Wu Mei Wan
Wu Mei is a very sour substance that is quite effective in calming roundworms. It also guides the entire formula into the Terminal Yin.
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Hua Jiao
Hua Jiao

Sichuan pepper

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried pericarp of ripe fruit
Role in Wu Mei Wan
In general Hua Jiao's main actions are as follows: "Warms the body core, relieves pain, kills parasites and relieves itching"

In the context of Wu Mei Wan, it is used because it expels parasites and warms the Organs.
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Xi Xin
Xi Xin

Wild ginger

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Wu Mei Wan
In general Xi Xin's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and warms the Yang. Expels Cold and relieves pain. Warms the Lungs and reduces Phlegm. Moves the Qi and disperses Phlegm to open the nasal passages."

In the context of Wu Mei Wan, it is used because it expels parasites and warms the Organs.
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Huang Lian
Huang Lian

Goldthread rhizomes

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Large Intestine, Liver, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Wu Mei Wan
In general Huang Lian's main actions are as follows: "Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Lower Burner. Eliminates Fire toxicity especially when there is associated Dampness. Acts as a sedative by eliminating Heart Fire. Eliminates Stomach Fire. Expel parasites"

In the context of Wu Mei Wan, it is used because it makes the worms move downward.
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Huang Bo
Huang Bo

Phellodendron bark

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys, Large Intestine
Parts Used Dried bark
Role in Wu Mei Wan
In general Huang Bo's main actions are as follows: "Expels Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner. Clears Kidney Yin Deficient Heat. Applied externally or toxic Fire, especially associated with Dampness."

In the context of Wu Mei Wan, it is used because it makes the worms move downward.
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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 Mei Wan
In general Gan Jiang's main actions are as follows: "Warms the Spleen and expels Cold. Restores collapse of Yang and expels Interior Cold. Warms the Lungs and assists expectoration of Cold Phlegm. Stops chronic bleeding caused by Cold."

In the context of Wu Mei Wan, it is used because it warms the Interior and is very useful in dispersing internal Cold.
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Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi

Cinnamon twigs

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried young branches
Role in Wu Mei Wan
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 Wu Mei Wan, it is used because it warms the Interior and is very useful in dispersing internal Cold.
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Ren Shen
Ren Shen

Ginseng

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Wu Mei Wan
In general Ren Shen's main actions are as follows: "Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit)."

In the context of Wu Mei Wan, it is used because it tonifies the Qi and nourishes the Blood to prevent further injury to the Normal Qi.
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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 Mei Wan
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 Mei Wan, it is used because it tonifies the Qi and nourishes the Blood to prevent further injury to the Normal Qi.
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Zhi Fu Zi
Zhi Fu Zi

Prepared aconite

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Spleen
Parts Used Processed daughter root
Role in Wu Mei Wan
In general Zhi Fu Zi's main actions are as follows: "Raises the collapse of Yang. Warms the meridians and relieves pain caused by Cold. Reduces Damp caused by Deficiency in Yang."

In the context of Wu Mei Wan, it is used because it disperses Cold and Dampness, warms the channels and stops pain.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Wu Mei Wan

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

Contraindications

This formula is contraindicated for explosive diarrhea or Damp-Heat dysenteric disorders.

Herb-Drug Interactions

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