Ji Chuan Jian
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
濟川煎 · Jì Chuān Jiān
A classical formula for constipation in the elderly or Yang-deficient from Kidney deficiency with dry intestines.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Purgative Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Yang Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Warm Kidney, nourish blood, moisten intestines, move stool
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Warm and tonify Kidney Yang, nourish blood, and moisten the intestines
- Classical Source
- Li Dongyuan school / classical
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for constipation in the elderly or Yang-deficient from Kidney deficiency with dry intestines.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for constipation from Kidney Yang deficiency and intestinal dryness — especially in the elderly — rather than heat-accumulation or spleen-constraint dryness.
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
當歸Dang Gui12g
Chinese Angelica Root- nourishes the blood and moistens dryness
- moistens the intestines to promote defecation
- assists rou cong rong to nourish essence and blood
牛膝Niu Xi9g
Achyranthes Root- supplements and boosts the kidney and liver
- strengthens waist and knees
- assists rou cong rong to supplement the deficient kidney
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
澤瀉Ze Xie6g
Alisma Rhizome- discharges kidney turbidity
- assists rou cong rong by combining draining with supplementation in order to make essence easier to generate and turbidity removed
枳殼Zhi Ke6g
Bitter Orange- moves qi in the middle jiao and relieves distension
Classical Composition
- Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui) 3-5 qian (9~15g)
- Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niu Xi) 2 qian (6g)
- Cistanches Herba (Rou Cong Rong) 2-3 qian (6~9g)
- Alismatis Rhizoma (Ze Xie) 1.5 qian (4.5g)
- Cimicifugae Rhizoma (Sheng Ma) 5 to 7 fen or 1 qian (1.5~3g)
- Aurantii Fructus (Zhi Qiao) 1 qian (3g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Warms the kidney and supplements essence
- moistens the intestines to promote defecation.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for deficiency of kidney yang, essence, and blood.
- The symptoms are dry stool, clear and profuse urine, soreness and weakness of lower back and knees, dizziness, a pale tongue with a white coating, and a deep, slow and weak pulse.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This is a pattern of constipation caused by the weakness of kidney yang, deficiency of essence and blood, and a disorder of the opening and closing aspect of the kidney.
- The kidney governs the five fluids, has its orifice in urethra and anus, as well as controls urination and bowel movement.
- Deficient kidney yang cannot control qi transformation so that fluids cannot spread.
- They then flow down to the unconfined bladder and turn into clear and profuse urine.
- The loss of fluids spreading into the large intestine and the deficiency in essence and blood may cause the intestines to lose moisture and inhibit their descending ability making the stools too dry to be expelled.
Clinical presentation
- Other symptoms such as soreness and weakness of lower back and knees, dizziness, a pale tongue body with a white coating, and a deep, slow or deep, thready pulse are evidence of deficient kidney yang, essence and blood.
Treatment strategy
- The therapeutic principles used to remedy this pattern are to warm the kidney and supplement the essence, as well as moisten the intestines to promote defecation.
How does this formula compare?
| Compare | Ji Chuan Jian | Ma Zi Ren Wan | Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Warm Kidney, nourish blood, moisten intestines, move stool | Moisten intestines, drain heat, move stool | Mildly purge heat accumulation, harmonise the Stomach |
| Formula Category | Purgative Formulas | Purgative Formulas | Purgative Formulas |
| Typical TCM Pattern | Yang Deficiency | Stomach Heat | Stomach Heat |
| Main Conditions | Constipation | Constipation | Constipation·Abdominal Pain·Fever·Dry Mouth & Throat |
| Main Herbs | Chinese Angelica Root·Achyranthes Root·Cistanche·Alisma Rhizome·Cimicifuga Rhizome | Hemp Seed·White Peony Root·Immature Bitter Orange·Rhubarb Root and Rhizome·Magnolia Bark | Rhubarb Root and Rhizome·Mirabilite / Glauber's Salt·Honey-fried Licorice |
| Classical Source | Li Dongyuan school / classical | Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han) | Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han) |
Clinical Perspective
Ji Chuan Jian, Ma Zi Ren Wan and Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang all treat constipation from opposite patterns. Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang drains heat accumulation; Ma Zi Ren Wan moistens and gently drains for spleen-constraint dryness. Ji Chuan Jian warms Kidney Yang and nourishes blood to moisten the intestines for deficiency-type constipation in the elderly or Yang-deficient.
Clinical Differentiation
- Ji Chuan Jian serves as the most commonly prescribed formula for constipation due to kidney and essence deficiency.
- This clinical pattern is marked by dry stool, clear and profuse urine, achy, weak waist and knees, white tongue coating, deep, slow, and weak pulse.
Safety notes: It should not be used to treat constipation caused by pathogenic heat damaging fluids or by yin deficiency.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Ji Chuan Jian?
Ji Chuan Jian has the actions of warming the Kidneys, nourishing essence and blood, moistening the intestines, and unblocking the bowels. It is primarily used for constipation caused by Kidney Yang deficiency with insufficient essence and blood.
Which modern conditions is Ji Chuan Jian commonly applied to?
In modern TCM clinical practice it is frequently used for patients whose pattern differentiation matches Kidney Yang deficiency constipation, including habitual constipation in the elderly, postpartum constipation, and chronic constipation after prolonged illness with cold-deficiency signs.
Is Ji Chuan Jian suitable for improving constipation?
For presentations of difficult or infrequent bowel movements with dry or hard stools, clear and copious urine, lower back and knee soreness, and cold extremities — when pattern differentiation confirms Kidney Yang deficiency with essence insufficiency — TCM commonly applies Ji Chuan Jian as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical evaluation.
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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.