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 Zhu Yu Tang 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:

Acute gastroenteritis Cholecystitis Morning sickness Pyloric spasm Neurogenic headache Migraine headache Hypertension Trigeminal neuralgia Meniere's disease Eye fatigue Corneal ulcers Conjunctivitis Acute congestive glaucoma Recalcitrant hordeolum Acute gastritis Peptic ulcers Chronic hepatitis Bacillary dysentery Ulcerative colitis Chronic gastritis Recalitrant perimenopausal vomiting Chronic cholecystitis

Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Wu Zhu Yu Tang treats acute gastroenteritis" for instance. Rather, Wu Zhu Yu Tang is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind acute gastroenteritis.

Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Wu Zhu Yu Tang.

The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine

Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold

Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)

Symptoms: No thirst Tiredness Weak limbs Cold limbs Poor appetite Pale complexion Vomiting of clear fluids Preference for warm drinks and foods Epigastric pain relieved with pressure or eating

Wu Zhu Yu Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold. This pattern leads to symptoms such as epigastric pain relieved with pressure or eating, poor appetite, preference for warm drinks and foods and vomiting of clear fluids. Patients with Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold typically exhibit deep (Chen), slow (Chi) or weak (Ruo) pulses.

Also called Stomach Yang Deficiency, this pattern is normally associated with Spleen-Yang Deficiency, which leads to Internal Cold, resulting in cold limbs, loose stools, vomiting of clear fluids, no thirst, preference for warm drinks and foods and a Weak pulse.

When Stomach Qi is deficient, it may... read more about Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold

The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine

Cold invading the Stomach

Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Tight (Jin)

Symptoms: Nausea Cold limbs Feeling of cold Severe epigastric pain Vomiting of clear fluids Preference for warm drinks and foods Feeling worse after drinking cold drinks

Wu Zhu Yu Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Cold invading the Stomach. This pattern leads to symptoms such as severe epigastric pain, feeling of cold, cold limbs and preference for warm drinks and foods. Patients with Cold invading the Stomach typically exhibit deep (Chen), slow (Chi) or tight (Jin) pulses.

Pathogenic Cold blocks the Stomach and prevents Stomach-Qi from descending, hence the vomiting and the pain.

Cold impairs the Yang of the Stomach and Spleen and prevents the food essences from reaching the body, hence the feeling of cold, the Slow pulse, the preference for warm liquids and... read more about Cold invading the Stomach