Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang: Promoting Blood Flow and Relieving Pain
- Hongji Medical
- May 16
- 4 min read
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang, a formula from the book Yilin Gaicuo (Corrections of Errors in Medicine) by the renowned Qing Dynasty physician Wang Qingren, is a classic remedy. Wang Qingren was a celebrated doctor known for his bold exploration of the human body and his challenge to traditional ideas, grounded in a spirit of empirical observation.
Yilin Gaicuo, his most significant work, records numerous cases he personally observed and verified, along with his unique insights into human anatomy, physiology, and pathology. Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang was developed through his deep study of blood stasis conditions, combined with his clinical experience, making it a cornerstone of his contributions.
In Yilin Gaicuo, Wang Qingren emphasized that many diseases are linked to blood stasis, with stasis below the diaphragm being a major cause of various complex disorders. He stressed the importance of promoting blood flow and resolving stasis, creating several formulas for this purpose, with Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang being one of the most widely used.
Formula Explanation of Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang is meticulously formulated with multiple herbs that work together to promote blood flow, resolve stasis, regulate qi, and relieve pain:
Wu Ling Zhi (Main Herb): Promotes blood flow, disperses stasis, and relieves pain.
Dang Gui, Chi Shao, Chuan Xiong (Supporting Herbs): Nourish and promote blood flow, resolve stasis, and relieve pain.
Tao Ren, Hong Hua (Assistant Herbs): Break stasis, promote qi, and enhance blood flow.
Mu Dan Pi (Assistant Herb): Cools blood, promotes blood flow, and clears heat from stasis.
Wu Yao, Xiang Fu, Yan Hu Suo (Assistant Herbs): Regulate qi, relieve pain, and soothe liver stagnation.
Zhi Qiao (Assistant Herb): Regulates qi, opens the chest, and clears stagnation.
Gan Cao (Envoy Herb): Harmonizes the formula and eases pain.
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang promotes blood flow, resolves stasis, regulates qi, and relieves pain.
Wu Ling Zhi, the main herb, powerfully disperses stasis and alleviates pain. Dang Gui, Chi Shao, and Chuan Xiong nourish and promote blood flow, resolving stasis while supporting vitality to prevent excessive blood activation from harming the body.
Tao Ren and Hong Hua enhance stasis resolution by breaking stagnation and promoting qi. Mu Dan Pi cools blood and clears heat from stasis. Wu Yao, Xiang Fu, and Yan Hu Suo regulate qi, relieve pain, and soothe liver stagnation to improve qi flow. Zhi Qiao regulates qi, opens the chest, and clears stagnation to help remove stasis. Gan Cao harmonizes the formula and eases pain.
Together, these herbs effectively resolve stasis while regulating qi and relieving pain, allowing stasis to dissipate, qi to flow smoothly, and symptoms to resolve.
Pathogenesis of Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang targets the core pathogenesis of “blood stasis obstructing the area below the diaphragm.” The “diaphragm” refers to the region below the stomach and above the navel, encompassing organs like the liver and spleen. Trauma, emotional stress, or poor diet can impair qi and blood flow, causing blood stasis to accumulate below the diaphragm, obstructing normal qi movement.
Blood stasis below the diaphragm leads to various pathological changes. Stasis obstructs qi flow, causing fixed, localized pain or a sensation of heaviness in the abdomen when lying down.
Prolonged stasis may form palpable masses or lumps in the abdomen. Stasis can also affect organ function; for example, liver qi stagnation may cause pain in the sides. Stasis in the channels manifests as a purple tongue with spots or dots and a choppy pulse.
Applicable Symptoms of Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang is primarily used for blood stasis below the diaphragm, with symptoms including:
Palpable masses or lumps in the abdomen
Fixed abdominal pain or a sensation of heaviness when lying down
Pain or masses in the sides
Purple tongue with spots or dots
Choppy pulse
These symptoms point to the core issue: blood stasis obstructing the area below the diaphragm. Stasis impairs qi and blood flow, causing abdominal pain and lumps; it presses on organs, leading to a heavy sensation when lying down; liver qi stagnation causes side pain; and stasis manifests as a purple tongue with spots and a choppy pulse.
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang’s main effects are promoting blood flow, resolving stasis, regulating qi, and relieving pain. By promoting blood flow, it clears stasis below the diaphragm, improving circulation. By regulating qi and relieving pain, it alleviates abdominal and side pain.
Specifically, Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang offers:
Promoting Blood Flow and Resolving Stasis: Clears stasis below the diaphragm, improving circulation.
Regulating Qi and Relieving Pain: Soothes liver stagnation, alleviating abdominal and side pain.
Dispersing Masses: Reduces abdominal lumps and masses.
Regulating Menstruation and Relieving Pain: Improves menstrual irregularities and dysmenorrhea.
Modern Applications
Modern research confirms Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang’s diverse pharmacological effects, making it widely applicable for various conditions. For chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, it improves liver circulation, promotes liver cell repair, and relieves liver pain and abdominal bloating.
In liver and colon cancer treatment, Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang can inhibit tumor growth, improving patients’ quality of life and intestinal function.
Additionally, it shows strong efficacy in gynecological conditions. It clears pelvic stasis in chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, relieving abdominal and lower back pain; it suppresses ectopic endometrial growth in endometriosis, reducing dysmenorrhea and menstrual irregularities.
It also improves pelvic circulation, supports ovarian function, and may increase conception rates in infertility cases. Furthermore, it effectively treats dysmenorrhea, menstrual irregularities, and localized swelling or pain from traumatic injuries by promoting blood flow, resolving stasis, and relieving pain.
Precautions
Despite its benefits, Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang requires careful use:
Pattern Differentiation: It is specific to blood stasis below the diaphragm. Consult a Chinese medicine practitioner for proper diagnosis.
Contraindicated in Pregnancy: Its strong blood-promoting effects may cause miscarriage, so it is prohibited during pregnancy.
Caution in Weak Patients: Its potent blood-activating effects may harm vitality in frail individuals, so use cautiously.
Caution in Bleeding Disorders: Its strong blood-promoting effects may worsen bleeding, so use cautiously in bleeding disorders.
Conclusion
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang is a treasure in the treasury of Chinese medicine. With its carefully crafted formula and remarkable effects, it brings health and hope. In modern life, unhealthy lifestyles often lead to blood stasis. Proper use of Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang can promote blood flow, resolve stasis, and relieve discomfort. Always consult a Chinese medicine practitioner before use to ensure safety and efficacy.
