Actions

Tonifies and warms the Spleen and Kidneys.
Astringes the intestines and stops diarrhea.

Indications

Diarrhea with undigested food that occurs around sunrise (cocks-crow diarrhea).
Loss of appetite, cold limbs, soreness in the lower back, fatigue, lethargy, and possible abdominal pain with a sensation of cold.

Western Uses:

Chronic or Habitual Diarrhea Before Dawn in Chronic Colitis
Chronic Dysentery
Intestinal Tuberculosis

Ingredients

4 substances in Si Shen Wan — each links to its full herb monograph.

Bu Gu Zhi120 gTonify Yang

Rou Dou Kou60 gAstringe, Stabilize, Bind

Wu Wei Zi60 gAstringe, Stabilize, Bind

Wu Zhu Yu30 gWarm the Interior and Expel Cold

Preparation & dosage

Pills. Grind all ingredients into an even powder, cook with 240 grams of Sheng Jiang and 100 pieces of Da Zao. After cooking, remove Sheng Jiang and form the rest of the ingredients into pills.

9-12 grams are taken at bedtime.

Can be prepared as a decoction with an appropriate reduction in dosages.

Safety — read before use

Do not use in cases where diarrhea is due to Damp-Heat or food stagnation

Originally Appeared In:

Standards of Patterns and Treatments (Zheng Zhi Zhun Sheng)

Sources & References

Compiled and edited by Thomas Dehli, Founder & Editor, Sacred Lotus

The information here is referenced from numerous sources — teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the books below, and the published research literature, with citations given as resolvable PubMed identifiers. Where sources disagree, I have flagged the discrepancies directly. If facts couldn't be verified, I have left them out. How we source our content.

Reference information for students and practitioners — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner. Terms of use.

Chinese Formulas Books & References

https://amzn.to/4fYI3f8
Dan Bensky
https://amzn.to/4j55NRA
Volker Scheid, Andrew Ellis
https://amzn.to/4gMROyv
Him Che. Yeung
https://amzn.to/4h7msSK
Qiao Yi

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