Chinese: 固冲汤
Pinyin: Gù Chōng Tāng
Other names: Stabilize Gushing Decoction
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that secure irregular uterine bleeding and stop vaginal discharge
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: Postpartum bleedingPeptic ulcer bleedingDysfunctional uterine bleeding
- Augments Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Stabilizes the Penetrating Vessel
- Stops bleeding
Contraindications: This formula is inappropriate for cases in which the bleeding is so severe that... This formula is inappropriate for cases in which the bleeding is so severe that it leads to an disorder characterized by profuse sweating, cold limbs, and a pulse that is faint to the point of being imperceptible. In such cases, either modify the formula or prescribe Unaccompanied Ginseng Decoction (Du Shen Tang) until the condition has stabilized. see more
Source date: 1918-1934
Source book: Essays on Medicine Esteeming the Chinese and Respecting the Western
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Gu Chong Tang is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Cornelian Cherries (Shan Zhu Yu) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 1918-1934, it belongs to the category of formulas that secure irregular uterine bleeding and stop vaginal discharge. Its main actions are: 1) augments Qi and 2) strengthens the Spleen.
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 Gu Chong Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as dysfunctional uterine bleeding, postpartum bleeding or peptic ulcer bleeding for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the ten ingredients in Gu Chong Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Gu Chong Tang helps treat.
The ten ingredients in Gu Chong Tang
Shan Zhu Yu is a king ingredient in Gu Chong Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Cornelian Cherries (Shan Zhu Yu)
Part used: Dried ripe sarcocarp
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sour
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that stabilize and bind
Shan Zhu Yu tonifies the Kidneys and benefits the Liver but also has a binding action on the Penetrating and Directing vessels. Experts claims that this herb strongly holds the Original Qi, lifts the Mind and stop Body Fluids leaking.
Bai Zhu is a deputy ingredient in Gu Chong Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Bai Zhu strengthens the Spleen Qi. The combination of Atractylodes rhizome and Milkvetch root is particularly effective in helping the Spleen govern the Blood and stabilize the Penetrating Vessel, especially with the rather large dosage used in this formula.
Huang Qi is a deputy ingredient in Gu Chong Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi)
Huang Qi strengthens the Spleen Qi. The combination of Atractylodes rhizome and Milkvetch root is particularly effective in helping the Spleen govern the Blood and stabilize the Penetrating Vessel, especially with the rather large dosage used in this formula.
Long Gu is a deputy ingredient in Gu Chong Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. Dragon Bones (Long Gu)
Part used: The fossilized bone or vertebrae
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that anchor and calm the Spirit
Long Gu is frequently used to stop Body Fluid leakage (secure leakage) The combination of Dragon bones and Oyster shells focuses on stabilizing the Penetrating Vessel. It also works with the key herb to strenghten the Original Qi of the Lower Burner. Both ingredients should be calcined as this process enhances their astringent, binding properties further.
Mu Li ke is a deputy ingredient in Gu Chong Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
5. Oyster Shells (Mu Li ke)
Part used: The shell
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Salty
Meridian affinity: BladderGallbladderKidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that anchor and calm the SpiritHerbs that pacify Internal Liver Wind and stop Tremors
Mu Li ke is frequently used to stop Body Fluid leakage (secure leakage) The combination of Dragon bones and Oyster shells focuses on stabilizing the Penetrating Vessel. It also works with the key herb to strenghten the Original Qi of the Lower Burner. Both ingredients should be calcined as this process enhances their astringent, binding properties further.
Bai Shao is an assistant ingredient in Gu Chong Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Bai Shao treats the instability of the Penetrating Vessel and the injury to the Yin and Blood from chronic blood loss. It nourishes the Yin and Blood of the Liver and Kidneys and exerts an astringent, binding effect on the Blood.
Hai Piao Shao is an assistant ingredient in Gu Chong Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
7. Cuttlebones (Hai Piao Shao)
Part used: The bones
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenKidney
Category: Herbs that stabilize and bind
Hai Piao Shao restrain Body Fluids leakage and stop bleeding. Because of the importance of quickly stopping the bleeding, the dosage of this ingredients is rather large. However, there is an potential risk that it may cause Blood Stagnation.
Zong Lu is an assistant ingredient in Gu Chong Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
8. Windmill Palm Bark (Zong Lu)
Part used: Dried petiole
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: Large intestineLiverLung
Category: Herbs that stop bleeding
Zong Lu restrain Body Fluids leakage and stop bleeding. Because of the importance of quickly stopping the bleeding, the dosage of this ingredients is rather large. However, there is an potential risk that it may cause Blood Stagnation.
Wu Bei Zi is an assistant ingredient in Gu Chong Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
9. Chinese Gall (Wu Bei Zi)
Part used: The dried parasite gall
Nature: Cold
Meridian affinity: KidneyLarge intestineLung
Category: Herbs that stabilize and bind
Wu Bei Zi restrain Body Fluids leakage and stop bleeding. Because of the importance of quickly stopping the bleeding, the dosage of this ingredients is rather large. However, there is an potential risk that it may cause Blood Stagnation.
Qian Cao is an assistant ingredient in Gu Chong Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
10. Indian Madder Roots (Qian Cao)
Part used: Dried roots and rhizomes
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: Liver
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
Qian Cao stops bleeding and invigorates the Blood. It is therefore able to prevent the formation of Blood Stagnation.
Gu Chong Tang is used to treat Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Gu Chong Tang is mostly used to treat the pattern "Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency" which we describe below.
But before we delve into Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency here is an overview of the Western conditions it is commonly associated with:
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding Postpartum bleeding Peptic ulcer bleeding
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Gu Chong Tang treats dysfunctional uterine bleeding" for instance. Rather, Gu Chong Tang is used to treat Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency, which is sometimes the root cause behind dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
Now let's look at Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency, a pattern that TCM practitioners commonly treat with Gu Chong Tang.
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Symptoms: Palpitation Spermatorrhea Poor appetite Short of breath Prolonged menses Pale menstrual blood Thin menstrual blood Profuse menstrual bleeding Menstrual blood gushes out Listlessness and shiny white complexion
Gu Chong Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as profuse menstrual bleeding, pale menstrual blood, thin menstrual blood and prolonged menses. Patients with Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency typically exhibit weak (Ruo) pulses as well as a pale tongue with thin white coating.
This pattern particularly related to Penetration Vessel Deficiency, with symptoms such as: uterine or menstrual bleeding, presents with thin, pale blood that either gushes or trickles incessantly.
Accompanying symptoms include palpitations, shortness of breath, a pale tongue, and a deficient... read more about Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency
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