Zheng Gu Zi Jin Dan: A Classic TCM Remedy for Bone and Soft Tissue Injuries

Hongji Medical
Jun 3
3 min read

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Zheng Gu Zi Jin Dan stands out as a revered formula for treating bone and soft tissue injuries. Known as a "holy medicine" in orthopedics, it excels in nourishing blood, promoting circulation, relieving pain, and reducing blood stasis. This formula is widely used for conditions like bruises, sprains, and fractures, offering effective relief and supporting skeletal health.

Originating from the Qing Dynasty’s Yi Zong Jin Jian (Golden Mirror of Medicine), a comprehensive medical text compiled by imperial scholars, Zheng Gu Zi Jin Dan draws on centuries of TCM expertise. It is primarily used to address pain, swelling, and blood stasis caused by trauma, such as falls, fractures, or cuts.

Composition of Zheng Gu Zi Jin Dan

Zheng Gu Zi Jin Dan is composed of multiple herbs, structured according to the TCM principle of "monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy":

Monarch Herbs: Chinese Angelica (Dang Gui), Safflower (Hong Hua), Dragon’s Blood (Xue Jie), Catechu (Er Cha)
- Chinese Angelica nourishes and activates blood, relieving pain.
- Safflower promotes blood circulation and resolves stasis.
- Dragon’s Blood clears stasis and alleviates pain.
- Catechu clears heat, stops bleeding, and promotes tissue healing.
Minister Herbs: Rhubarb (Da Huang), Moutan Cortex (Mu Dan Pi)
- Rhubarb and Moutan Cortex clear heat, cool blood, and promote blood circulation to reduce stasis.
Assistant Herbs: Clove (Ding Xiang), Costus Root (Mu Xiang), Poria (Fu Ling), Lotus Seed (Lian Zi), White Peony (Bai Shao)
- Clove warms the middle and relieves pain.
- Costus Root regulates qi and alleviates pain.
- Poria strengthens the spleen and promotes diuresis.
- Lotus Seed supports the intestines and kidneys.
- White Peony nourishes blood and consolidates yin.
Envoy Herb: Licorice Root (Gan Cao)
- Harmonizes the formula and, when combined with White Peony, eases acute pain.

Pathological Mechanism

Zheng Gu Zi Jin Dan targets three key pathological mechanisms of trauma in TCM:

Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis: Trauma disrupts qi and blood flow, causing stagnation and stasis, leading to swelling and pain.
Meridian Obstruction: Injury damages the meridians (channels for qi and blood), worsening stasis and affecting organ function.
Qi and Blood Deficiency: Trauma depletes qi and blood, especially in weaker individuals, slowing recovery and weakening resistance to external pathogens.

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Indications and Benefits

Zheng Gu Zi Jin Dan is used for injuries from falls, sprains, or fractures, as well as pain and blood stasis. According to Zheng Gu Xin Fa Yao Zhi (Essentials of Orthopedic Methods), it treats:

Bruising and Pain: Relieves pain, swelling, and bruising without broken skin.
Qi Regulation and Spleen Support: Smooths qi flow and strengthens spleen function.
Calming the Mind: Eases anxiety or restlessness caused by trauma.
Fracture Healing: Supports bone healing post-realignment.

The formula is applied to injuries across the body, including the cheekbone, clavicle, occipital bone, sternum, ribs, spine, coccyx, humerus, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle.

Main Functions

Nourishes and Activates Blood: Enhances circulation and resolves stasis.
Clears Stasis and Relieves Pain: Reduces blood stasis and alleviates pain.
Reduces Swelling: Eliminates swelling from trauma.

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Modern Applications

Modern research supports Zheng Gu Zi Jin Dan’s pharmacological effects, making it useful for:

Sprains and strains.
Fractures.
Bruises and soft tissue injuries with swelling and pain.

Precautions for Use

Syndrome Differentiation: Consult a TCM practitioner to ensure the formula suits the patient’s condition.
Contraindications: Pregnant or breastfeeding women should use cautiously.
Alcohol Avoidance: Avoid alcohol due to the formula’s blood-activating properties.
Hydration: The formula’s mild laxative effect requires adequate hydration during use.

Conclusion

Zheng Gu Zi Jin Dan, rooted in Yi Zong Jin Jian, is a cornerstone of TCM orthopedics, effectively treating trauma-related pain, swelling, and stasis. Its blend of herbs nourishes blood, promotes circulation, relieves pain, and supports spleen function, aiding recovery from injuries and fractures. Proper use under professional guidance ensures safety and efficacy, making it a valuable remedy for bone and soft tissue health.

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中醫知識

Chinese Medicine - Qi

Blood and semen

Heart and lungs

Spleen and Liver

Kidney

Gallbladder, stomach, intestines, bladder

Interrelationships among the five internal organs

Other questions

Qi is the constantly moving subtle substance that constitutes the human body and maintains its vital activities.

There are three main sources of Qi in the human body: the innate essence inherited from parents, the essence of water and grain in food, and the pure Qi existing in nature.

Qi has many important physiological effects on the human body. The normal functioning of the internal organs, meridians, limbs, bones, five senses and nine orifices all depends on the physiological effects of Qi.

Generally speaking, the physiological effects of Qi include five aspects: promotion, warming, defense, consolidation, and qi transformation.

Yuan Qi is the most original Qi in the human body.

Yuan Qi is mainly composed of the essence of the kidneys and is generated from the essence of the kidneys.

The distribution of primordial energy is throughout the body, reaching everywhere. The internal organs, meridians, body parts, five senses and nine orifices are all places where primordial energy rises, falls, enters and exits.

The main physiological functions of Yuan Qi are twofold: one is to promote and stimulate the growth, development and reproduction of the human body. The other is to promote and stimulate the physiological activities of the internal organs and meridians.

If the kidneys are deficient in essence and energy due to congenital deficiency, postnatal malnutrition, or long-term illness, and the kidneys lack the source of vital energy, various diseases may occur.

Zong Qi is the Qi that accumulates in the chest. The place where Zong Qi accumulates is called "Tan Zhong" (between the two breasts). Because it is the place where Zong Qi is most concentrated, it is also called "Qi Hai".

Zong Qi is mainly composed of the fresh air from nature inhaled by the lungs and the essence of water and grain produced by the spleen and stomach from food.

The main functions of Zong Qi are twofold:

1. It is to walk the Xi Dao to control breathing. All breathing, speech, and voice are related to the Zong Qi. When the Zong Qi is abundant, the breathing is slow and the rhythm is even, the speech is clear and the voice is loud; otherwise, the breathing is short and the voice is low.

Second, it is to circulate Qi and blood through the heart meridians. All the beating of the heart and the circulation of Qi and blood are related to Zong Qi. If the pulse is gentle, the rhythm is consistent, and there is spirit and root, it is a manifestation of abundant Zong Qi. On the contrary, if the pulse is agitated, scattered, weak, or irregular, it means that the Zong Qi is insufficient or even weak.

Zhongqi refers to the Qi of the middle burner. Because the spleen and stomach are located in the middle burner, the Qi of the spleen and stomach is generally called "Zhongqi".

It is generally believed that the formation of Zhong Qi is formed by the combination of the Yuan Qi distributed in the Zhongjiao and the water and grain essence produced by the spleen and stomach.

The middle qi is mainly distributed in the middle burner, spreading between the spleen, stomach, and intestines, and it rises and falls, constantly mediating.

The main functions of Zhongqi include three aspects:

1. It controls the rise and fall of Qi. The middle burner is the hub of the rise and fall of Qi. When the middle Qi is abundant and harmonious, the Qi of the liver and spleen will rise healthily, and the Qi of the lungs and stomach will descend smoothly. When the rise and fall are smooth, all organs will be at peace.

Second, it stimulates the spleen and stomach to absorb and transport. When the middle qi is abundant, the spleen rises and the stomach descends normally, the water and grain are received and transported normally, and the essence of water and grain is continuously produced to generate qi and blood, nourishing the whole body.

Third, it maintains the position of the internal organs. The reason why the internal organs maintain their relatively constant position depends on the rise and fall of the qi of the middle jiao spleen and stomach.

Ying Qi, also known as "Rong Qi", is the Qi that flows in the veins.

The distribution and movement of Ying Qi are clearly discussed in Suwen Bi Lun, which points out that Ying Qi "harmonizes the five internal organs, flows through the six bowels, and then enters the meridians."

It explains that the nutrient energy enters the meridians, circulates throughout the body, flows into the internal organs, and reaches the limbs, repeating the cycle over and over again.

The main functions of Ying Qi:

1. It is the transformation of blood.

Second, it nourishes the whole body. The nourishing qi enters the blood vessels and causes the body fluids to penetrate into the blood vessels. The two combine to form blood.

The so-called Qi can produce blood, mainly refers to: Ying Qi transforms into blood. Ying Qi is produced by the refined part of the essence of grains, and is a nutrient necessary for physiological activities such as viscera and meridians, and plays an important role in maintaining human life activities.

The Inner Canon of Medicine states that the Nutritive Qi "harmonises the five internal organs, and spreads throughout the six bowels", "nourishes the four extremities", etc., which emphasizes that the Nutritive Qi has a nourishing effect.

Wei Qi is the Qi that circulates outside the veins. It is so called because it protects the skin and resists external pathogens.

The distribution of Wei Qi is fast, smooth and agile, and is not restricted by blood vessels, so it can "flow through the skin, between the flesh, fumigate the peritoneum, and spread to the chest and abdomen" (Suwen Bi Lun). This shows that Wei Qi spreads throughout the body, externally between the skin and muscles, and internally to the peritoneum of the chest and abdomen - the area inside the diaphragm of the chest cavity.

The main physiological functions of Wei Qi are three-fold:

First, it protects the skin and prevents the invasion of external pathogens. In clinical practice, if a patient is prone to colds and fever, the treatment is usually based on the theory that the Wei surface is not solid. The theoretical basis is here. Second, it warms the internal organs, muscles, fur, etc. Wei Qi has a strong warming effect. If Wei Yang is deficient, the warming power is weakened, and cold symptoms such as cold body, cold limbs and low body temperature may appear. If Wei Qi is stagnant and turns into heat, hot symptoms such as fever and malignant fever may appear.

Third, it regulates the opening and closing of pores and controls sweat excretion, which is what Lingshu Benzang says about the Wei Qi having the function of “controlling opening and closing”.

Zheng Gu Zi Jin Dan: A Classic TCM Remedy for Bone and Soft Tissue Injuries

Composition of Zheng Gu Zi Jin Dan

Pathological Mechanism

Indications and Benefits

Main Functions

Modern Applications

Precautions for Use

Conclusion

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中醫知識

The concept of Qi

Vitality

Zong Qi

Middle Qi

Ying Qi

Health

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