Use of the formula according to Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• moves Qi and blood, breaks blood stasis
• softens the liver
• relaxes and relieves pain
• dissipates "masses" in the abdominal cavity (below the diaphragm)

Description:

In 1830, Wang Qing-Ren published a groundbreaking work – Corrections of Errors in Medical Circles, in which he introduced many important formulas for the treatment of so-called "blood stasis" in various parts of the body. Very commonly used is, for example, Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang for stasis in the lower abdomen caused by cold, Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang for stasis in the upper burner, especially in the area of the heart and the vascular system in general, or Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang for painful joint syndromes, so-called Bi Zheng.

This formula – Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang is intended for the treatment of blood stasis below the diaphragm – especially in the area of the middle burner (liver or spleen). The basic manifestation is distending or palpable tenderness in the hypochondrium, epigastrium or abdomen, e.g. in hepatomegaly and splenomegaly (excessive enlargement of the liver and spleen). Western diagnoses corresponding to this include acute and chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) or enlargement of the spleen reacting to various infections, etc. Because the mixture can influence "masses below the diaphragm" in general, it is also successfully used in the treatment of uterine fibroids or painful menstruation with the passage of clots. Typical for the use of Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang is that the masses and pains are "fixed", precisely tied to a given location.

It is a mixture where, to the basic pair for moving blood in the whole body ("above and below, on the surface and inside") – Peach Seed and Safflower Flower, other herbs are added that act "below the diaphragm", in the area of internal organs, both on blood circulation and Qi, as well as herbs that cool the heat that arises from stagnation. The formula thus not only relieves pain but also reduces abdominal masses and calms inflammation. That is why it is so effective and frequently used in the stated indications.

Indications:

• palpable masses in the hypochondria, epigastrium or abdomen
• fixed, sharp, stabbing or distending pain in the same areas, worsening with pressure
• digestive disorders
• constipation or chronic diarrhoea
• vomiting blood or blood in the stool
• amenorrhoea
• irregular menstruation
• painful menstruation
• painful Beng Lou (heavy onset, stopping and spotting after menstruation)

Modern use:

• acute and chronic hepatitis
• liver cirrhosis
• liver haemangioma
• cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
• splenomegaly
• pelvic inflammatory disease
• dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation)
• amenorrhoea (absence of menstruation)
• endometriosis
• ectopic pregnancy
• prostate hypertrophy
• chronic colitis (inflammation of the colon)
• peptic ulcer disease of the stomach and duodenum
• tumours of the liver, uterus and thyroid gland
• pleural adhesions

Tongue:

• purplish
• purple spots on the sides

Pulse:

• xian
• jin
• hua (wiry, tight, slippery)

Contraindications:

Contraindicated in pregnancy!

Use with caution during menstruation or in patients on blood thinners (e.g. Warfarin) – only under the supervision of an experienced TCM practitioner.

Notes:

The most effective mixture for fixed pain and abdominal masses below the diaphragm.

Composition of the formula: