Formula Formulas that drive out excess water

Zhou Che Wan

舟车丸

Also known as:

Vessel and Vehicle Pill

Formula Composition

Gan Sui
Gan Sui
Yuan Hua
Yuan Hua
Jing Da Ji
Jing Da Ji
Qian Niu Zi
Qian Niu Zi
Da Huang
Da Huang
Qing Pi
Qing Pi
Chen Pi
Chen Pi
Bing Lang
Bing Lang
Mu Xiang
Mu Xiang
Qing Fen
Qing Fen
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Promotes Qi movement
  2. Harshly drives out Water and Heat Stagnation

Patterns Treated

Oedema

Historical Origin

Formulas from Benevolent Sages Compiled during the Taiping Era (992 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Zhou Che Wan

Main Actions

Promotes Qi movement
Harshly drives out Water and Heat Stagnation

Key TCM Concepts

Zhou Che Wan is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Kansui Roots (Gan Sui), Genkwa Flowers (Yuan Hua) and Peking Spurge Roots (Jing Da Ji) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 992 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that drive out excess water. Its main actions are: 1) promotes Qi movement and 2) harshly drives out Water and Heat Stagnation.

 

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 Zhou Che Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Oedema. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as schistosomiasis or uremia for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Oedema

Common Applications

Schistosomiasis Uremia

Ingredients in Zhou Che Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Zhou Che Wan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Gan Sui
Gan Sui

Kansui roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Spleen, Kidneys, Large Intestine, Lungs
Parts Used The dried root
Role in Zhou Che Wan
In general Gan Sui's main actions are as follows: "Relieves water retention and congestion of Fluids. Cools swellings and reduces inflammation when applied topically. Strong purgative, driving water and Food Stagnation out though the stool."

In the context of Zhou Che Wan, it is used because it is a harsh expellants that purge water from the abdomen and chest.
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Yuan Hua
Yuan Hua

Genkwa flowers

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Large Intestine, Lungs
Parts Used Dried flower bud
Role in Zhou Che Wan
In general Yuan Hua's main actions are as follows: "Relieves chronic congestion of Fluids in the chest and stops cough. Drains congested Fluids through the urine and the stool. Expels parasites."

In the context of Zhou Che Wan, it is used because it is a harsh expellants that purge water from the abdomen and chest.
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Jing Da Ji
Jing Da Ji

Peking spurge roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Spleen, Kidneys, Lungs
Parts Used Dried roots
Role in Zhou Che Wan
In general Jing Da Ji's main actions are as follows: "Drains water downward and drives out Phlegm-Fluids. Reduces swellings and dispels lumps."

In the context of Zhou Che Wan, it is used because it is a harsh expellants that purge water from the abdomen and chest.
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Qian Niu Zi
Qian Niu Zi

Morning glory seeds

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Large Intestine, Lungs
Parts Used Seeds
Role in Zhou Che Wan
Qian Niu Zi purges Heat and water from the Small and Large Intestines through urination. It also interacts synergistically with the Key herbs.
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Da Huang
Da Huang

Rhubarb

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Zhou Che Wan
Da Huang purges Heat and water from the Small and Large Intestines. It also interacts synergistically with the Key herbs.
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Qing Pi
Qing Pi

Green tangerine peel

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Stomach, Liver
Parts Used Dried pericarp of the young or immature fruits
Role in Zhou Che Wan
Qing Pi promotes Qi circulation so as to supports the key and deputy ingredients. It also spreads the Liver Qi and breaks up clumping in the abdomen.
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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 Zhou Che Wan
Chen Pi promotes Qi circulation so as to supports the key and deputy ingredients. It also promotes movement of the Lung and Spleen Qi, helping to smooth Qi circulation in the diaphragmatic and thoracic regions.
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Bing Lang
Bing Lang

Areca nuts

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Large Intestine, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe seed
Role in Zhou Che Wan
In general Bing Lang's main actions are as follows: "Destroys parasites. Regulates Qi circulation. Promotes urination."

In the context of Zhou Che Wan, it is used because it promotes urination, directs the Qi downward, and breaks up clumping in the abdomen.
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Mu Xiang
Mu Xiang

Costus roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Large Intestine, Liver, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Zhou Che Wan
In general Mu Xiang's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Stagnation of Qi of the digestion in the Spleen, Stomach and Intestines. Relieves Qi Stagnation of the Liver and Gallbladder. Strengthens the Spleen and is used with tonifying herbs to prevent their potential cloying effects."

In the context of Zhou Che Wan, it is used because it removes Qi Stagnation in the Triple Burners..
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Qing Fen
Qing Fen

Calomelas

Temperature Cold
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used The mineral
Role in Zhou Che Wan
In general Qing Fen's main actions are as follows: "Relieves toxicity, kills parasites, used as an external wash for scabies and syphilitic sores. Inhibits bleeding, diarrhea, dysentery with blood in the stools, abnormal uterine bleeding and leukorrhea. The powder can be applied topically for any type of bleeding. Anti-inflammatory and expectorant for difficult-to-expectorate Phlegm and Wind-Phlegm conditions such as mania, coma and convulsions."

In the context of Zhou Che Wan, it is used because it unblocks the bowels, expels water, and reinforces the actions of the key and deputy ingredients.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Zhou Che 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 not recommended during pregnancy or in people who are weak or impaired. Liquorice is not recommended for use with this mixture because it is incompatible with certain of its constituents. Because the recipe contains several extremely dangerous ingredients, the dosage and duration of administration must be strictly controlled. Following the resolution of the acute condition, formulas that regulate and tonify the Spleen and Kidney should be provided to promote full recovery.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Zhou Che 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.