Ji Chuan Jian: A Classic Formula for Relieving Kidney-Deficient Constipation
- Hongji Medical
- May 21
- 4 min read
Ji Chuan Jian comes from the Qing Dynasty physician Zhang Jingyue’s Jing Yue Quan Shu (Complete Works of Zhang Jingyue). Zhang Jingyue, a renowned doctor of the late Ming and early Qing periods, emphasized the importance of yang qi and excelled in using warming and nourishing methods to treat illnesses. Ji Chuan Jian is a key example of his warming and nourishing approach.
The name Ji Chuan Jian, meaning “to aid the river’s flow,” reflects its purpose of moistening the intestines to make bowel movements smooth like a flowing river.
This formula is simple yet cleverly designed, focusing on warming the kidneys, nourishing essence, and relieving constipation. It is commonly used for constipation caused by kidney deficiency and essence depletion.
Formula Explanation of Ji Chuan Jian
Ji Chuan Jian consists of six herbs, organized according to the Chinese medicine principle of “monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy”:
Monarch Herb: Rou Cong Rong. Warm, sweet, and salty, Rou Cong Rong warms kidney yang, nourishes essence and blood, and moistens the intestines to relieve constipation. As the main herb, it addresses the root cause by warming the kidneys and lubricating the bowels.
Supporting Herb: Dang Gui. Warm, sweet, and pungent, Dang Gui nourishes and activates blood, moistening the intestines. It supports Rou Cong Rong to enhance bowel lubrication and relieve constipation.
Assistant Herbs: Niu Xi, Ze Xie, Sheng Ma.
Niu Xi (neutral, bitter, and sour) nourishes the liver and kidneys, strengthens muscles and bones, and promotes downward movement to aid constipation relief and ease lower back or knee soreness.
Ze Xie (cold, sweet, and bland) promotes urination and clears dampness, preventing the formula’s nourishing herbs from burdening the spleen.
Sheng Ma (slightly cold, pungent) gently raises yang qi, supporting digestion and intestinal movement in small doses.
Envoy Herb: Zhi Ke. Slightly cold, bitter, and pungent, Zhi Ke regulates qi, opens the intestines, and clears stagnation to promote bowel movements.
Pathogenesis Analysis of Ji Chuan Jian
Ji Chuan Jian targets constipation caused by kidney yang deficiency and essence-blood depletion. The key pathogenesis includes:
Kidney Yang Weakness and Impaired Qi Transformation: The kidneys govern body fluids and control bowel and bladder functions. When kidney yang is weak, qi transformation falters, fluids fail to circulate properly, and the large intestine becomes dry, leading to constipation. Weak kidney yang may also cause frequent, clear urination.
Essence and Blood Deficiency: Low essence and blood deprive the intestines of nourishment, slowing movement and making stools hard to pass.
Overall Symptoms: Patients often experience lower back or knee soreness, dizziness, a pale tongue with white coating, and a deep, slow, weak pulse, all signs of kidney yang deficiency and essence-blood depletion.
Indications and Effects of Ji Chuan Jian
Effects: Warms the kidneys, nourishes essence, and moistens the intestines to relieve constipation.Main Condition: Kidney yang deficiency with essence and blood depletion.
Symptoms:
Hard, dry stools or difficulty passing stools.
Frequent, clear urination.
Lower back or knee soreness.
Dizziness.
Pale tongue with white coating.
Deep, slow, weak pulse.
Comparison with Other Constipation Formulas
Ji Chuan Jian stands out among other Chinese medicine formulas for constipation due to its unique focus on kidney deficiency:
Ma Zi Ren Wan: Used for constipation from intestinal heat, with dry, hard stools, bloating, abdominal pain, and bad breath. Unlike Ji Chuan Jian’s kidney deficiency focus, it targets excess heat.
Liu Mo Tang: Treats constipation from qi stagnation, with stools that are not very dry, difficulty passing, and gas. It focuses on qi movement, not kidney deficiency.
Zeng Ye Tang: Addresses constipation from yin-deficient intestinal dryness, with dry stools, dry mouth, and heat in the palms and soles. It targets yin deficiency, not kidney yang weakness.
Huang Qi Tang: Treats constipation from qi deficiency, with stools that are not hard but hard to pass despite the urge, focusing on qi rather than kidney yang.
Ji Chuan Jian excels at warming kidney yang and nourishing essence to treat deficiency-type constipation caused by kidney weakness and essence-blood depletion.
Modern Applications and Research
Modern research highlights Ji Chuan Jian’s benefits:
Improves Intestinal Function: Promotes bowel movement and lubricates the intestines for easier stool passage.
Boosts Immunity: Some herbs in the formula support immune function, enhancing overall health.
Anti-Aging Effects: Contains antioxidants that reduce free radical damage, helping to slow aging.
Clinical Uses: Widely used for habitual constipation, elderly constipation, and postpartum constipation linked to kidney deficiency and essence depletion.
Precautions
When using Ji Chuan Jian, keep the following in mind:
Pattern Differentiation: It is suited for constipation from kidney yang deficiency and essence-blood depletion. It should not be used for constipation caused by heat, yin deficiency, or excess conditions.
Pregnancy Caution: Contains Dang Gui, which activates blood, so pregnant women should use it cautiously or under medical guidance.
Conclusion
Ji Chuan Jian, a classic formula from Jing Yue Quan Shu, is a powerful remedy for constipation caused by kidney deficiency and essence depletion. Its warming and nourishing approach effectively relieves symptoms while supporting overall vitality. Proper pattern differentiation and attention to precautions ensure its safe and effective use, blending traditional wisdom with modern applications to improve health and quality of life.
