Tiao Jing Wan: A Trusted Formula for Regulating Menstruation
Hongji Medical- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Tiao Jing Wan is not found in a single classic medical text but is an experiential or proprietary formula, with its exact origins hard to trace. Such formulas are developed through years of clinical practice, refined and validated by generations of practitioners, eventually becoming standardized. Tiao Jing Wan is widely used among women and highly trusted for its effectiveness.
As its name suggests, Tiao Jing Wan focuses on regulating menstruation. It contains a variety of herbs that nourish qi and blood, support the spleen and stomach, promote qi and blood flow, warm the channels, and relieve pain.
The formula aims to holistically balance women’s reproductive health, addressing the root causes of irregular menstruation.
Formula Explanation of Tiao Jing Wan
Tiao Jing Wan consists of multiple herbs, grouped by function:
Blood-Nourishing and Menstruation-Regulating Base (Si Wu Tang):
Dang Gui: Nourishes and activates blood, regulates menstruation, and relieves pain; a key herb for women’s health.
Chuan Xiong: Promotes blood and qi flow, relieves wind, and eases pain, improving circulation.
Shu Di Huang: Nourishes yin and blood, supports essence, and strengthens the liver and kidneys.
Bai Shao: Nourishes blood, soothes the liver, and relieves pain, calming menstrual discomfort.
Qi-Regulating and Spleen-Strengthening Herbs:
Chen Pi: Regulates qi, strengthens the spleen, clears dampness, and aids digestion.
Bai Zhu: Boosts spleen qi, clears dampness, and enhances stomach function.
Zhi Ke: Regulates qi, opens the middle, and clears stagnation to improve gut movement.
Xiang Fu: Soothes the liver, regulates qi, relieves menstrual pain, and eases emotional stress.
Blood-Activating and Pain-Relieving Herbs:
Yan Hu Suo: Activates blood, moves qi, and relieves various types of pain.
San Leng: Breaks blood stasis, moves qi, clears stagnation, and eases pain.
E Zhu: Breaks blood stasis, clears stagnation, moves qi, and reduces masses.
Xiao Hui Xiang: Warms the body, relieves pain, regulates qi, and comforts the uterus.
Additional Herbs:
Niu Xi: Activates blood, regulates menstruation, nourishes liver and kidneys, strengthens bones, and directs herbs downward.
Bai Zhi: Expels wind-cold, clears dampness, reduces vaginal discharge, and relieves pain.
Liang Fen Cao: Supports overall balance in the formula.
Pathogenesis Analysis of Tiao Jing Wan
Tiao Jing Wan targets menstrual irregularities caused by qi and blood deficiency, spleen and stomach weakness, liver qi stagnation, and cold-induced blood stasis. The key pathogenesis includes:
Qi and Blood Deficiency: Qi and blood are vital for women’s reproductive health. Deficiency fails to nourish the uterus, causing scanty, pale periods or amenorrhea.
Spleen and Stomach Weakness: The spleen and stomach generate qi and blood. Weakness leads to insufficient qi and blood, worsening deficiency.
Liver Qi Stagnation: Emotional stress causes liver qi to stagnate, disrupting qi flow and leading to irregular periods or premenstrual breast tenderness.
Cold-Induced Blood Stasis: Cold invasion or weak yang causes blood stasis, blocking channels and causing delayed periods or painful menstruation.
Overall Symptoms: Patients often experience scanty or pale periods, delayed periods, painful periods, lower back or knee soreness, dizziness, fatigue, sallow complexion, premenstrual breast tenderness, vaginal discharge, or infertility due to menstrual issues.
Indications and Effects of Tiao Jing Wan
Effects: Nourishes qi and blood, strengthens the spleen and stomach, regulates menstruation.Main Condition: Menstrual irregularities from qi and blood deficiency, spleen and stomach weakness, liver qi stagnation, or cold-induced blood stasis.
Symptoms:
Scanty, pale periods.
Delayed periods or amenorrhea.
Painful periods.
Lower back or knee soreness.
Dizziness and fatigue.
Sallow complexion.
Premenstrual breast tenderness.
Vaginal discharge.
Infertility due to menstrual irregularities.
Comparison with Other Menstrual Formulas
Tiao Jing Wan stands out among other formulas for menstrual irregularities due to its comprehensive approach:
Si Wu Tang: A foundational formula for nourishing blood and regulating menstruation, mainly for blood deficiency. Tiao Jing Wan builds on Si Wu Tang, adding herbs for broader regulation.
Xiao Yao Wan: Focuses on soothing liver qi for stagnation-related menstrual issues, like breast tenderness or mood swings. Tiao Jing Wan also nourishes qi and blood and supports the spleen, addressing more types of irregularities.
Dang Gui Shao Yao San: Targets blood stasis-related menstrual issues. Tiao Jing Wan, with its qi and blood nourishment, is better for deficiency-driven cases.
Tiao Jing Wan’s strength lies in its holistic approach, addressing qi and blood, spleen, liver, and cold-stasis issues for various menstrual irregularities.
Modern Applications and Research
Modern research highlights Tiao Jing Wan’s benefits:
Hormone Regulation: Balances endocrine levels to stabilize menstrual cycles.
Uterine Health: Promotes endometrial growth and repair, improving conditions for conception.
Pain Relief: Activates blood and relieves uterine spasms to reduce menstrual pain.
Clinical Uses: Widely used for infertility, menstrual irregularities, endometriosis, chronic endometritis, ovarian inflammation, painful periods, lower back pain, and vaginal discharge.
Precautions
When using Tiao Jing Wan, keep the following in mind:
Pattern Differentiation: It suits menstrual irregularities from qi and blood deficiency, spleen weakness, liver stagnation, or cold-stasis. Consult a Chinese medicine practitioner to confirm the diagnosis before use.
Pause During Colds: Stop taking Tiao Jing Wan during a cold to avoid complications.
Formula Adjustments: Tailor the formula based on symptoms:
Pale complexion and periods: Add Shu Di Huang, E Jiao, Dan Shen to boost blood nourishment.
Spleen deficiency with bloating or loose stools: Add Dang Shen, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, Shan Zha to strengthen the spleen and aid digestion.
Cold lower abdominal pain and dark, scanty periods: Add Rou Gui, Gan Jiang to warm channels and activate blood.
Cold sensitivity and weak limbs: Add Xu Duan, Tu Si Zi, Fu Zi, or combine with Gui Fu Di Huang Wan to warm kidney yang.
Dry mouth, sore throat, red tongue with little coating: Add Shu Di Huang, Shan Zhu Yu, Huai Shan to nourish yin and moisten dryness.
Conclusion
Tiao Jing Wan, a time-tested experiential formula, is a trusted remedy for menstrual irregularities. Its comprehensive blend nourishes qi and blood, supports the spleen, soothes the liver, and relieves stasis, addressing a wide range of menstrual issues. Proper diagnosis and precautions ensure its safe and effective use, blending traditional wisdom with modern applications to improve women’s health and quality of life.
