Chinese: 五积散
Pinyin: Wǔ Jī Sǎn
Other names: Five-Accumulation Powder
Number of ingredients: 15 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that Release the Exterior and Warm the Interior
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: SciaticaGastritisBronchiolitis and one other condition
- Releases the Exterior
- Warms the Interior
- Smoothes the flow of Qi
- Transforms Phlegm
- Invigorates the Blood
- Reduces Stagnation
Contraindications: Contraindicated in cases with Damp-Heat or Yin Deficiency.
Source date: 846 AD
Source book: Secret Formulas to Manage Trauma and Reconnect Fractures Received from an Immortal
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.
Wu Ji San is a 15-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Ephedra (Ma Huang), Angelica Roots (Bai Zhi) and Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 846 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that Release the Exterior and Warm the Interior. Its main actions are: 1) releases the Exterior and 2) warms the Interior.
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 Ji San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Wind-Cold or Interior Cold. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as bronchiolitis, sciatica or recurrent upper respiratory tract infections for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the fifteen ingredients in Wu Ji San, we review the patterns and conditions that Wu Ji San helps treat.
The fifteen ingredients in Wu Ji San
Ma Huang is a king ingredient in Wu Ji San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Ephedra (Ma Huang)
Ma Huang release Cold from the Exterior. The four key herbs in the formula work together to addresses Cold Evil in both the Exterior and Interior.
Bai Zhi is a king ingredient in Wu Ji San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Angelica Roots (Bai Zhi)
Bai Zhi release Cold from the Exterior. The four key herbs in the formula work together to addresses Cold Evil in both the Exterior and Interior.
Fu Ling is a king ingredient in Wu Ji San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
3. Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
Part used: Dried sclerotium
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLungSpleen
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
In general Fu Ling's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit."
In the context of Wu Ji San, it is used because it strengthens the Spleen and transform Phlegm.
Gan Jiang is a deputy ingredient in Wu Ji San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang)
Gan Jiang warms the Interior and expel Cold. The four key herbs in the formula work together to addresses Cold Evil in both the Exterior and Interior.
Rou Gui is a deputy ingredient in Wu Ji San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
5. Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui)
Rou Gui warms the Interior and expel Cold. The four key herbs in the formula work together to addresses Cold Evil in both the Exterior and Interior.
Cang Zhu is an assistant ingredient in Wu Ji San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. Black Atractylodes Rhizomes (Cang Zhu)
Part used: The dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
In general Cang Zhu's main actions are as follows: "Dries Damp and tonifies the Spleen. Relieves the Exterior for invasion of Wind-Cold-Damp. Relieves Wind-Damp painful obstruction. Dries Damp for either Damp-Cold or Damp-Heat when combined with the correct herbs. Clears the eyes and improves sight."
In the context of Wu Ji San, it is used because it dries Dampness and eliminates its Stagnation.
Hou Pu is an assistant ingredient in Wu Ji San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
7. Houpu Magnolia Bark (Hou Pu)
Part used: Dried stem bark, root bark or branch bark
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: LungSpleenStomach
Category: Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
In general Hou Pu's main actions are as follows: "Moves Rebellious Qi downward, dries Dampness and relieves Food Stagnation. Transforms Phlegm and redirects Rebellious Qi of the Lung."
In the context of Wu Ji San, it is used because it dries Dampness and eliminates its Stagnation.
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Wu Ji San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
8. Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi)
In general Chen Pi's main actions are as follows: "Warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi. Dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. Reduces the potential for Stagnation caused by tonifying herbs."
In the context of Wu Ji San, it is used because it strengthens the Spleen and transform Phlegm.
Ban Xia is an assistant ingredient in Wu Ji San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
9. Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia)
Part used: Dried rhizome and tuber
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
In general Ban Xia's main actions are as follows: "Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention."
In the context of Wu Ji San, it is used because it strengthens the Spleen and transform Phlegm.
Jie Geng is an assistant ingredient in Wu Ji San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
10. Platycodon Roots (Jie Geng)
In general Jie Geng's main actions are as follows: "Opens the Lungs and smoothes the flow of Lung Qi. Expels Phlegm and pus from the Lungs and throat, can be used for either Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat according to the other herbs in the formula. Directs the actions of other herbs to the Upper Warmer."
In the context of Wu Ji San, it is used because it guides the Qi to ascend.
Zhi Ke is an assistant ingredient in Wu Ji San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
11. 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 Wu Ji San, it is used because it causes the Qi to descend. It resolves Qi Stagnation and assists in the transformation of Phlegm.
Dang Gui is an assistant ingredient in Wu Ji San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
12. 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 Wu Ji San, it is used because it nourishes and invigorates the Blood.
Bai Shao is an assistant ingredient in Wu Ji San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
13. White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Bai Shao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain."
In the context of Wu Ji San, it is used because it nourishes and invigorates the Blood.
Chuan Xiong is an assistant ingredient in Wu Ji San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
14. Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
Meridian affinity: GallbladderLiverPericardium
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
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 Wu Ji San, it is used because it nourishes and invigorates the Blood.
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Wu Ji San. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
15. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."
In the context of Wu Ji San, it is used because it harmonizes the actions of the other herbs and strengthens the Middle Burner.
Conditions and patterns for which Wu Ji San may be prescribed
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 Wu Ji San is used by TCM practitioners to treat two different patterns which we describe below.
But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:
Bronchiolitis Sciatica Recurrent upper respiratory tract infections Gastritis
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Wu Ji San treats bronchiolitis" for instance. Rather, Wu Ji San is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind bronchiolitis.
Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Wu Ji San.
'Cold' as a body pattern in Chinese Medicine is one of the so-called "Eight Principles". Learn more about Cold pattern in Chinese Medicine
Wind-Cold
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Floating (Fu)
Symptoms: Fever Chills Sneezing Coughing No sweat Headaches No thirst Runny nose Body aches Sore throat Blocked nose Itchy throat Aversion to cold White watery mucus Occipital headaches Occipital stiffness
Wu Ji San is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Wind-Cold. This pattern leads to symptoms such as aversion to cold, fever, sneezing and coughing. Patients with Wind-Cold typically exhibit tight (Jin) or floating (Fu) pulses.
This pattern is similar to Wind-Heat, but the Wind is combined with Cold rather than Heat. The shared symptoms are aversion to cold, sneezing, coughing, runny nose (with different mucus color), fever, occipital stiffness and ache. The different symptoms are the white watery mucus, no thirst, no... read more about Wind-Cold
The Interior in Chinese Medicine is one of the so-called "Eight Principles". Learn more about Interior in Chinese Medicine
Interior Cold
Pulse type(s): Hidden (Fu), Weak (Ruo), Wiry (Xian)
Symptoms: Flank pain Hernial pain Cold abdominal Postpartum abdominal pain abdominal pain relieved by presure and warmth
Wu Ji San is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Interior Cold. This pattern leads to symptoms such as postpartum abdominal pain, cold abdominal, hernial pain and flank pain. Patients with Interior Cold typically exhibit hidden (Fu), weak (Ruo) or wiry (Xian) pulses.
This pattern, particularly seen in the context of postpartum conditions or in individuals with constitutional Blood Deficiency, is characterized by a Deficiency of Blood and Essence leading to Interior Coldness.
After childbirth, women are especially susceptible due to the significant loss of Blood... read more about Interior Cold
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