Gu Jing Wan
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
固经丸 · Gù Jīng Wán
Formula for constrained Liver Fire injuring the Chong and Ren, causing excessive or continuous uterine bleeding (Beng Lou) with Yin deficiency Heat signs.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Astringent Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Yin Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Enrich Yin, clear Heat, stabilize menses, stop bleeding
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Enrich Yin, clear Heat, stop bleeding and stabilize the menses
- Classical Source
- Yi Xue Ru Men or traditional sources (Stabilize the Menses Pill)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
Formula for constrained Liver Fire injuring the Chong and Ren, causing excessive or continuous uterine bleeding (Beng Lou) with Yin deficiency Heat signs.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected when excessive menstrual bleeding stems from Yin deficiency with Heat pressing on the vessels, combining enrichment with astringency — unlike Si Wu Tang, which nourishes Blood without securing it, or Wen Jing Tang, which addresses the opposite cold-type presentation.
Composition: Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Envoy
Every herb in the formula, grouped by the job it does in the classical hierarchy.
君SovereignTreats the main pattern
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
佐/使Assistant & EnvoyTreats accompanying patterns, harmonises the whole
黃芩Huang Qin9g
Scutellaria / Baikal Skullcap- clears heat
- drains fire
- and stanches bleeding
黃柏Huang Bai9g
Phellodendron Bark- drains fire and consolidates yin
香附Xiang Fu9g
Cyperus Rhizome- regulates qi and invigorates blood
椿根皮Chun Gen Pi12g
Ailanthus Bark- clears fire
- stanches bleeding with its astringent flavor
Classical Composition
- Scutellariae Radix (Huang Qin dry-fried) 1 liang (30g)
- Paeoniae Radix Alba (Bai Shao dry-fried) 1 liang (30g)
- Testudinis Plastrum (Zhi Gui Ban vinegar-fried) 1 liang (30g)
- Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex (Huang Bai dry-fried) 3 qian (9g)
- Ailanthi Cortex (Chun Gen Pi) 7.5 qian (22.5g)
- Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiang Fu) 2.5 qian (7.5g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Enriches yin and clears heat
- consolidates the channels and stanches bleeding.
Indications
- Gu Jing Wan is designed for flooding and spotting due to yin deficiency and blood heat.
- The symptoms include flooding and spotting or profuse menstruation that is dark or purple, feverish sensation in the palms and soles, weakness and soreness in the loins and knees, a red tongue body, and a rapid pulse.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- The corresponding disorders treated by this formula are mostly caused by liver and kidney yin deficiency and intense ministerial fire that impair the chong mai and ren mai, causing them to push out blood.
- Qi stagnation and blood stasis due to liver constraint, together with blood heat, result in purple-black menstrual clots.
- Yin deficiency results in vigorous fire that leads to a feverish sensation in the palms and soles and weak, sore loin and knees.
- Therefore, the treatment should aim at enriching yin and clearing heat, regulating menstruation, and stanching bleeding.
Clinical presentation
Tongue & pulseRed tongue body and a wiry pulse indicate constrained heat.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment principle is to enrich Yin, clear Heat, stop bleeding and stabilize the menses.
How does this formula compare?
| Compare | Gu Jing Wan | Si Wu Tang | Wen Jing Tang |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Enrich Yin, clear Heat, stabilize menses, stop bleeding | Tonify Blood, nourish Liver | Warm channels, nourish Blood, regulate menses |
| Formula Category | Astringent Formulas | Blood-Tonifying Formulas | Blood-Tonifying Formulas |
| Typical TCM Pattern | Yin Deficiency | Blood Deficiency | Blood Deficiency |
| Main Conditions | Irregular Menstruation·Dizziness & Vertigo·Fatigue & Low Energy·Eye Dryness | Irregular Menstruation·Dysmenorrhea·Cold Limbs·Abdominal Pain | |
| Main Herbs | Tortoise Plastron·White Peony Root·Scutellaria / Baikal Skullcap·Phellodendron Bark·Cyperus Rhizome | Prepared Rehmannia Root·Chinese Angelica Root·White Peony Root·Chuanxiong Rhizome | Evodia Fruit·Cinnamon Twig·Chinese Angelica Root·Chuanxiong Rhizome·White Peony Root |
| Classical Source | Yi Xue Ru Men or traditional sources (Stabilize the Menses Pill) | Xian Shou Li Shang Xu Duan Mi Fang / Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang | Jin Gui Yao Lue (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han) |
Clinical Perspective
Gu Jing Wan stabilizes excessive menstrual bleeding from Heat. Si Wu Tang and Tao Hong Si Wu Tang address deficiency or stasis without primary bleeding control. Wen Jing Tang is for cold-type patterns. Gu Chong Tang is a related astringent formula.
Clinical Differentiation
- Gu Jing Wan is commonly used for flooding and spotting or profuse menstruation due to blood heat.
- This clinical pattern is marked by dark red or purple-black, sticky menses, red tongue, wiry, rapid pulse.
Safety notes: This formula is not appropriate for flooding from spleen-qi failing to contain, or from blood stasis, without the heat-in-blood signs it is built for.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Gu Jing Wan?
Gu Jing Wan has the actions of nourishing Yin and clearing Heat, consolidating the Chong vessel and stopping bleeding. It is primarily used for abnormal uterine bleeding caused by Yin deficiency with Blood Heat.
Which modern diseases is Gu Jing Wan suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Yin deficiency with Blood Heat, including functional uterine bleeding, perimenopausal abnormal uterine bleeding, heavy or prolonged menstruation, and certain cases of bleeding associated with chronic pelvic conditions when Heat and Yin deficiency are present.
Is Gu Jing Wan suitable for improving heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding?
For presentations of heavy or prolonged menstrual flow, dark red or purple-black thick blood, heat in the palms and soles, lumbar soreness, a red tongue, and a wiry-rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Yin deficiency with Blood Heat forcing the Blood — TCM commonly applies Gu Jing Wan as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment.
Related Products
Nong's Gu Jing Wan (Stabilize the Menses Formula) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
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Gu Jing Wan: Classic TCM Formula for Abnormal Uterine Bleeding & Heavy Periods
Si Wu Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Blood Deficiency, Pale Complexion & Menstrual Issues
Wen Jing Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Cold in the Uterus, Irregular Menses & Pain
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Medical Disclaimer
For general TCM education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a chronic condition.