Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang: Herbal Support for Women’s Health
Hongji Medical- Jan 30
- 4 min read
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang, or Lower Abdomen Stasis-Expelling Decoction, is a treasured formula from Yi Lin Gaicuo by Qing Dynasty physician Wang Qingren. Celebrated for promoting blood circulation, clearing blood stasis, regulating qi, and relieving pain, it’s a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for gynecological issues like dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, and infertility.
With a blend of warming and blood-moving herbs, this prescription continues to shine in modern clinical practice, offering natural relief for women’s health concerns.
What’s in Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang?
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang combines ten herbs, structured by the TCM principle of monarch, minister, assistant, and messenger, to address blood stasis and pain. The ingredients and their roles are:
Monarch Herb
Angelica Root (Dang Gui): Sweet and warm, angelica nourishes and moves blood, regulates menstruation, and relieves pain, targeting blood stasis in the lower abdomen.
Minister Herbs
Ligusticum Root (Chuan Xiong): Pungent and warm, ligusticum promotes blood and qi circulation, dispels wind, and eases pain, enhancing angelica’s effects.
Red Peony Root (Chi Shao): Bitter and cooling, red peony clears heat, cools blood, and moves stasis, addressing blood stasis caused by heat.
Assistant Herbs
Cattail Pollen (Pu Huang): Sweet and neutral, cattail pollen stops bleeding, moves blood, and clears heat, supporting stasis relief.
Trogopterus Dung (Wu Ling Zhi): Bitter and warm, this herb (safely processed) moves blood, stops bleeding, and detoxifies, aiding pain relief.
Myrrh (Mo Yao): Bitter and neutral, myrrh disperses stasis, reduces swelling, and promotes healing, easing abdominal discomfort.
Messenger Herbs
Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui): Hot and pungent, cinnamon warms the meridians, dispels cold, and promotes blood flow to the uterus.
Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang): Hot and pungent, dried ginger warms the interior, disperses cold, and supports digestion.
Fennel (Xiao Hui Xiang): Warm and pungent, fennel warms the abdomen, regulates qi, and relieves pain.
Corydalis (Yan Hu Suo): Pungent and warm, corydalis moves blood and qi, powerfully relieving pain from stasis.
Preparation
Decoct the herbs in water and drink warm as a tea, typically taken for 3–5 days during menstruation or as prescribed, with dosages adjusted based on the patient’s condition.
How It Works
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang targets blood stasis in the lower abdomen, a TCM condition often caused by cold, qi stagnation, or phlegm-dampness, leading to gynecological issues. This stasis blocks blood flow, causing pain, irregular periods, or fertility challenges. The formula works by:
Promoting Blood Circulation: Angelica, ligusticum, and red peony move blood to clear stasis and improve flow.
Warming the Meridians: Cinnamon, dried ginger, and fennel dispel cold, warming the uterus to ease pain.
Regulating Qi: Corydalis and fennel smooth qi flow, reducing bloating and discomfort.
Relieving Pain: Myrrh and corydalis target pain from stasis, while cattail pollen and trogopterus dung stop abnormal bleeding.
This multi-pronged approach alleviates symptoms and addresses underlying imbalances, making it ideal for cold-stagnation or qi-stasis patterns.
What Does It Treat?
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang is used for lower abdominal blood stasis, with symptoms including:
Painful or painless masses in the lower abdomen
Lower abdominal bloating or distension, often with back pain before menstruation
Irregular menstruation (3–5 times monthly, purple, black, or clotted blood)
Abnormal uterine bleeding (metrorrhagia) with pain
Pink or abnormal vaginal discharge
Painful periods (dysmenorrhea)
These symptoms reflect blood stasis, often triggered by cold exposure, stress, or poor diet.
Pathogenesis in TCM
In TCM, Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang addresses three main patterns of lower abdominal blood stasis:
Cold Stagnation and Blood Stasis: Cold limbs, pain on pressing the abdomen, purple tongue, caused by raw/cold foods or cold exposure. Treatment: Add extra cinnamon and dried ginger.
Qi Stasis and Blood Stagnation: Depression, irritability, reduced appetite, loose stools, due to stress or emotional strain. Treatment: Combine with stress relief strategies.
Phlegm-Dampness Obstruction: Fatigue, chest tightness, frequent phlegm, pale tongue, common in obesity or endocrine issues. Treatment: Reduce sweets and increase exercise.
The formula promotes blood flow and clears stasis, tailored to each pattern for optimal results.
Modern Applications
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang remains a staple in modern TCM, particularly for gynecological conditions, with clinical evidence supporting its efficacy. Key uses include:
Dysmenorrhea: Relieves menstrual pain from cold stagnation, especially with cold limbs or purple tongue, by warming and moving blood.
Irregular Menstruation: Regulates cycles disrupted by qi stagnation, easing emotional stress and abdominal pain.
Infertility: Improves conception rates in cases of cold uterus or irregular periods, often started on the first day of menstruation for five doses.
Miscarriage Prevention: Stabilizes pregnancy in cases of blood stasis, taken 3–5 doses around two months gestation.
Other Conditions: Supports endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or uterine fibroids by clearing stasis and reducing pain.
Its blood-moving and warming properties make it effective for chronic pelvic issues and fertility challenges.
Precautions
Contraindications: Avoid in cases without blood stasis, during pregnancy (unless for miscarriage prevention), or in patients with heat syndromes (red tongue, thirst).
Dietary Restrictions: Limit raw, cold foods and manage stress to prevent qi and blood blockage.
Phlegm-Dampness: Use cautiously in real syndromes (e.g., heavy phlegm, obesity), adjusting for dampness.
Professional Guidance: Consult a TCM practitioner to ensure proper diagnosis, dosing, and modifications for individual needs.
Conclusion
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang is a masterful Chinese herbal formula that promotes blood circulation, clears stasis, and relieves pain, making it a cornerstone for women’s health. With herbs like angelica, ligusticum, cinnamon, and corydalis, it effectively treats dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, infertility, and miscarriage risks.
Widely used in modern TCM, its benefits extend to chronic pelvic conditions, backed by centuries of clinical success. When tailored to individual needs under professional guidance, Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang offers natural, holistic relief, honoring the legacy of Wang Qingren’s TCM wisdom.
