Chinese: 济川煎
Pinyin: Jì Chuān Jiān
Other names: Benefit the River Decoction
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that moisten Intestines and unblock bowels
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: ConstipationHabitual constipationPostpartum constipation and one other condition
- Warms the Kidneys
- Nourishes the Blood
- Strengthens the Essence
- Moistens the Intestines
- Unblocks bowels
Source date: 1624 AD
Source book: Collected Treatises of Zhang Jing-Yue
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.
Ji Chuan Jian is a 6-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Desert-Living Cistanches (Rou Cong Rong) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 1624 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that moisten Intestines and unblock bowels. Its main actions are: 1) warms the Kidneys and 2) nourishes 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.
From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as constipation, constipation in the elderly or habitual constipation for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the six ingredients in Ji Chuan Jian, we review the patterns and conditions that Ji Chuan Jian helps treat.
The six ingredients in Ji Chuan Jian
Rou Cong Rong is a king ingredient in Ji Chuan Jian. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Desert-Living Cistanches (Rou Cong Rong)
Part used: Dried stem
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: KidneyLarge intestine
Category: Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency
Rou Cong Rong warms and tonifies the Kidney Yang, warms the lower back, and moistens the Intestines to unblock the bowels.
Dang Gui is a deputy ingredient in Ji Chuan Jian. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. Dong Quai (Dang Gui)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
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 Ji Chuan Jian, it is used because it nourishes and harmonizes the Blood and moistens the Intestines.
Niu Xi is a deputy ingredient in Ji Chuan Jian. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Achyranthes Roots (Niu Xi)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Niu Xi strengthens the lower back and the Kidneys. It also has a descending nature that focuses the
actions of the formula on the Lower Burner.
Ze Xie is an assistant ingredient in Ji Chuan Jian. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
4. Water Plantain (Ze Xie)
Part used: Dried tuber
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: BladderKidney
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
Ze Xie has a descending nature that drains turbidity from the Kidneys. Together with Achyranthes root, it facilitates movement and guides the actions of the other herbs downward. It also prevents the moistening property of the key herb from causing Stagnation.
Zhi Ke is an envoy ingredient in Ji Chuan Jian. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
5. Bitter Oranges (Zhi Ke)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Herbs that regulate Qi
In general Zhi Ke's main actions are as follows: "To regulate the flow of Qi, remove its stagnation, and alleviate distension."
In the context of Ji Chuan Jian, it is used because it relaxes the Intestines and directs the Qi downward, thus helping to unblock the bowels.
Sheng Ma is an envoy ingredient in Ji Chuan Jian. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
6. Bugbane Rhizomes (Sheng Ma)
Sheng Ma raises the clear Yang as a subtle inducement to the descent of the turbid Yin. In combination with Bitter orange, one ascending and the other descending, they enhance the Kidney Qi circulation.
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