Formula Formulas that tonify Blood

Guo Qi Yin

过期饮

Also known as:

Delayed Menstruation Drink

Formula Composition

Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Hong Hua
Hong Hua
Tao Ren
Tao Ren
E zhu
E zhu
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Xiang Fu
Xiang Fu
Mu Tong
Mu Tong
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Rou Gui
Rou Gui
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Warms the menses
  2. Dispels blood Stagnation
  3. Nourishes the blood

Patterns Treated

Qi And Blood Stagnation, Qi and Blood Deficiency

Historical Origin

Indispensable Tools for Pattern Treatment (1602 AD )

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Guo Qi Yin

Main Actions

Warms the menses
Dispels blood Stagnation
Nourishes the blood

Key TCM Concepts

Guo Qi Yin is a 11-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Dong Quai (Dang Gui) and Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1602 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Blood. Its main actions are: 1) warms the menses and 2) dispels blood 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 Guo Qi Yin is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Qi And Blood Stagnation or Qi and Blood Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as irregular menstruation or dysmenorrhea for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Qi And Blood Stagnation
  • Qi and Blood Deficiency

Common Applications

Irregular menstruation Dysmenorrhea

Ingredients in Guo Qi Yin

Detailed information about each herb in Guo Qi Yin and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Dang Gui
Dang Gui

Dong quai

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Guo Qi Yin
Dang Gui nourishes and invigorates the Blood, warms the menses, and relieves pain. The two key herbs tonify insufficiency in the Nutritive Level and the Blood.
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Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang

Prepared rehmannia

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Prepared dried root tuber
Role in Guo Qi Yin
In general Shu Di huang's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys."

In the context of Guo Qi Yin, it is used because it nourishes and tonifies the Blood, replenishes the Essence, and tonify the body.
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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 Guo Qi Yin
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 Guo Qi Yin, it is used because it invigorates the Blood and moves Blood Stagnation.
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Hong Hua
Hong Hua

Safflowers

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver
Parts Used Dried flower
Role in Guo Qi Yin
In general Hong Hua's main actions are as follows: "Moves Stagnant Blood and regulates menses. Relieves pain caused by Blood Stasis."

In the context of Guo Qi Yin, it is used because it invigorates the Blood and moves Blood Stagnation.
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Tao Ren
Tao Ren

Peach kernels

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Large Intestine, Liver
Parts Used Dried ripe seed
Role in Guo Qi Yin
In general Tao Ren's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood and breaks up Stasis. Moistens the Intestines. Relieves coughing."

In the context of Guo Qi Yin, it is used because it invigorates the Blood and moves Blood Stagnation.
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E zhu
E zhu

Zedoary rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Liver
Parts Used Rhizoma
Role in Guo Qi Yin
In general E zhu's main actions are as follows: "Invigorates Qi and removes Blood Stagnation. Relieves pain. "

In the context of Guo Qi Yin, it is used because it invigorates the Blood and moves Blood Stagnation.
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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 Guo Qi Yin
Bai Shao softens the Liver and moderates the pain. Cold contributes to the Blood Stagnation and intensifies Blood Stagnation by causing the vessels to contract.
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Xiang Fu
Xiang Fu

Coco-grass rhizomes

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen, San Jiao (Triple Burner)
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Guo Qi Yin
In general Xiang Fu's main actions are as follows: "Unblocks Stagnant Liver Qi and relieves pain. Regulates the Liver and Spleen. Assists the regulation of menses and relieves pain."

In the context of Guo Qi Yin, it is used because it supports the body's Qi dynamic.
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Mu Tong
Mu Tong

Akebia stems

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Small Intestine
Parts Used Dried stem
Role in Guo Qi Yin
In general Mu Tong's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and clears Heat. Clears Heat and inflammation of the Heart. Promotes lactation. Moves and smoothes the flow of Blood. Used for painful obstruction associated with either Dampness, Blood Stagnation, Wind or Heat."

In the context of Guo Qi Yin, it is used because it promotes the flow of Body Fluids.
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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 Guo Qi Yin
Gan Cao softens the Liver and moderates the pain. Cold contributes to the Blood Stagnation and intensifies Blood Stagnation by causing the vessels to contract.
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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 Guo Qi Yin
Rou Gui warms the Lower Burner and thwart congealing and clumping from Cold. It disperses Cold, and for this reason is combined with Liquorice and White peony root as a remedy for cold abdominal pain.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Guo Qi Yin

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

Contraindications

This formula is inappropriate for those who do not present with Blood Deficiency and Cold. Also, because it contains blood-moving herbs, it should not be given to those who bleed heavily during menses or to those who may be pregnant.

Herb-Drug Interactions

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