Chest tightness, constant sighing, bloating after meals, acid reflux, irritability, low energy — sound familiar? In TCM, this cluster of symptoms often points to Liu Yu (Six Stagnations): simultaneous blockage of Qi, Blood, Phlegm, Fire, Dampness, and Food. The 14th-century formula Yue Ju Wan, created by Zhu Danxi, remains one of TCM's most elegant solutions for this tangled pattern.
I. Origins: The Six Stagnations Theory
Yue Ju Wan was formulated by the Jin-Yuan dynasty physician Zhu Danxi (1281–1358), recorded in his Dan Xi Xin Fa. Zhu observed that in a world of emotional stress, overwork, and irregular eating, most disease originates from stagnation — specifically the six stagnations of Qi, Blood, Phlegm, Fire, Dampness, and Food. His insight was that Qi stagnation is the root of all six: when Qi flows freely, the other five resolve naturally. Yue Ju Wan therefore centres on moving Qi, while simultaneously addressing each of the other stagnations through a targeted five-herb combination.
II. Formula Composition
Five herbs, each resolving one stagnation:
| Herb | Stagnation Addressed | Key Action |
|---|---|---|
| Xiang Fu 香附 (Cyperus) | Qi stagnation (chief) | Moves Liver Qi, relieves chest and epigastric oppression |
| Chuan Xiong 川芎 (Ligusticum) | Blood stagnation | Activates Blood, disperses stasis, relieves pain |
| Cang Zhu 苍术 (Atractylodes) | Damp stagnation | Dries Dampness, strengthens Spleen |
| Zhi Zi 栅子 (Gardenia fruit) | Fire stagnation | Clears Heat and Fire, calms irritability |
| Shen Qu 神曲 (Medicated leaven) | Food stagnation | Disperses food accumulation, harmonises Stomach |
Phlegm stagnation is not directly targeted — Zhu Danxi reasoned that once Qi, Dampness, and Food stagnations are resolved, Phlegm dissolves naturally. The formula's elegance lies in using just five herbs to untangle six simultaneous blockages.
III. Who This Formula Suits (escape restraint pill)
Core indications: chest and epigastric fullness or oppression; frequent sighing; abdominal bloating, belching, and acid reflux after meals; irritability and low mood; heaviness and fatigue; bitter or bland taste in the mouth.
Modern applications:
- Digestive disorders — functional dyspepsia, bloating, belching, acid reflux with Qi-Food stagnation pattern
- Emotional and stress-related conditions — anxiety, mild depression, chronic stress, irritability with digestive symptoms
- Menstrual disorders — irregular periods, dysmenorrhoea, PMS with bloating and emotional volatility caused by Qi-Blood stagnation
- Liver-Stomach disharmony — hypochondriac pain, nausea, digestive upset triggered by emotional stress
IV. Yue Ju Wan Dosage, Contraindications & Notes
Dosage: Available as pills or granules; follow package instructions or practitioner guidance. As a decoction, standard dosages apply per herb.
Contraindications:
- Yin deficiency with Heat — Cang Zhu is warm and drying; prolonged use depletes Yin fluids
- Qi and Blood deficiency without stagnation — moving formulas further deplete what is already insufficient
- Pregnancy — Chuan Xiong and Xiang Fu have Blood-moving properties; use only under supervision
- Pure excess Heat patterns — high fever, thick yellow coating; this formula is not designed for acute Heat conditions
Clinical modifications are often made based on the dominant stagnation: for example, adding Chai Hu and Bai Shao if Qi stagnation predominates, or adding Ban Xia and Fu Ling if Phlegm is prominent. Always consult a licensed TCM practitioner.
Yue Ju Wan Conclusion
Yue Ju Wan reflects Zhu Danxi's profound insight that emotional and physical stagnation are inseparable.
Yue Ju Wan, also known as the Escape Restraint Pill or Liu Yu formula, is a classic traditional chinese medicine prescription designed to resolve the six stagnations — qi stagnation, blood stasis, heat, dampness, food stagnation, and phlegm.
It is especially effective for liver qi stagnation, which often presents with depression, irritability, hypochondriac pain, frequent sighing, acid reflux, acid regurgitation, belching, nausea, vomiting, and indigestion. The formula contains key herbs such as xiang fu (Cyperus), chuan xiong, cang zhu (atractylodes), zhi zi (gardenia), and shen qu (medicated leaven).
In modern practice, yue ju wan is studied for its antidepressant effect and is commonly used when patients present with a greasy tongue coating and signs of stomach and liver qi disharmony.
