Ma Zi Ren Wan
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
麻子仁丸 · Má Zǐ Rén Wán
A classical Shang Han formula for spleen-constraint constipation with dry stool and hard abdomen.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Purgative Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Stomach Heat
- Primary Function
- Moisten intestines, drain heat, move stool
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Moisten the intestines and gently drain heat to relieve dry constipation
- Classical Source
- Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical Shang Han formula for spleen-constraint constipation with dry stool and hard abdomen.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for spleen-constraint constipation with dry hard stool and abdominal hardness from heat dryness, rather than blood-deficiency dryness or Kidney Yang deficiency constipation.
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
白芍Bai Shao9g
White Peony Root- nourishes the blood and boosts yin
- assists ma zi ren to nourish spleen yin
枳實Zhi Shi9g
Immature Bitter Orange- moves qi and removes food stagnation
- assists in promoting defection by descending and discharging
大黃Da Huang9g
Rhubarb Root and Rhizome- drains heat to promote defecation
佐/使Assistant & EnvoyTreats accompanying patterns, harmonises the whole
Classical Composition
- Cannabis Fructus (Ma Zi Ren) 2 sheng (500g)
- Paeoniae Radix Alba (Shao Yao) 0.5 jin (250g)
- Aurantii Fructus Immaturus(Zhi Shi) 0.5 jin (250g)
- Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (Da Huang) 1 jin (500g)
- Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (Hou Po) 1 chi (250g)
- Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Xing Ren) 1 sheng (250g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Moistens the intestines
- drains heat
- and moves qi to promote defecation.
Indications
- Ma Zi Ren Wan is indicated for spleen confinement constipation due to dryness-heat in the stomach and intestines.
- The symptoms are dry stool, frequent urination, a red tongue body, a dry slightly yellow tongue coating, and a rapid pulse.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- The pathomechanism is spleen yin deficiency due to dryness-heat in the stomach and intestines.
- This syndrome was called ”spleen confinement” (pi yue) in the《Treatise on Cold Damage》.
- “Confinement” means constraint and restriction.
- The spleen moves the stomach fluid upward and down to spread it to every corner of the body.
- When there is dryness-heat in the stomach and intestines, spleen yin is damaged.
- The spleen becomes too dry to move the stomach fluid so the fluids are not able to spread normally.
- Instead it pours down to the bladder in the form of frequent urination.
- The loss of moistening and descending within the intestines also causes dry stool because of the confinement.
Clinical presentation
- The rapid pulse and red tongue covered by dry, yellow coating are evidence of dryness-heat in the stomach and intestines.
Treatment strategy
- The therapeutic principles used to remedy this pattern are to moisten the intestines, drain heat and promote defecation.
How does this formula compare?
| Compare | Ma Zi Ren Wan | Run Chang Wan | Ji Chuan Jian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Moisten intestines, drain heat, move stool | Nourish blood, moisten intestines, move stool | Warm Kidney, nourish blood, moisten intestines, move stool |
| Formula Category | Purgative Formulas | Purgative Formulas | Purgative Formulas |
| Typical TCM Pattern | Stomach Heat | Blood Deficiency | Yang Deficiency |
| Main Conditions | Constipation | Constipation | Constipation |
| Main Herbs | Hemp Seed·White Peony Root·Immature Bitter Orange·Rhubarb Root and Rhizome·Magnolia Bark | Hemp Seed·Peach Kernel·Chinese Angelica Root·Raw Rehmannia Root·Bitter Orange | Chinese Angelica Root·Achyranthes Root·Cistanche·Alisma Rhizome·Cimicifuga Rhizome |
| Classical Source | Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han) | Li Dongyuan school / classical | Li Dongyuan school / classical |
Clinical Perspective
Ma Zi Ren Wan, Run Chang Wan and Ji Chuan Jian all treat constipation. Run Chang Wan nourishes blood to moisten dry intestines; Ji Chuan Jian warms Kidney Yang for deficiency constipation in the elderly. Ma Zi Ren Wan moistens and gently drains for spleen-constraint heat dryness with hard dry stool.
Clinical Differentiation
- Ma Zi Ren Wan serves as the common formula used to treat spleen confinement syndrome due to dryness-heat in the stomach and intestines, deficiency of spleen fluid; and, as the representative prescription of the moistening purgative category.
- This clinical pattern is marked by dry stool, frequent urination, slightly yellow and dry tongue coating.
Safety notes: It is not applicable to the aged, the weak, fluid inadequacy, blood insufficiency, or deficiency spleen and stomach without dryness-heat. Pregnant women should use it with caution.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Ma Zi Ren Wan?
Ma Zi Ren Wan has the actions of moistening the Intestines, draining Heat, and moving Qi to promote defecation. It is a gentle moistening formula for dry constipation caused by dryness-Heat in the Stomach and Intestines.
Which modern diseases is Ma Zi Ren Wan suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within intestinal dryness with mild Heat, including habitual or functional constipation of dryness-Heat type, constipation in the elderly, postpartum constipation, and constipation after hemorrhoid surgery when dry hard stools and mild Heat signs are present.
Is Ma Zi Ren Wan suitable for improving dry, hard stools with frequent urination?
For presentations of dry, hard, difficult-to-pass stools accompanied by normal or frequent urination, a dry or slightly yellow tongue coating, and a rapid pulse — reflecting the classical “Spleen constraint” (Pi Yue) pattern in which fluids are diverted to the bladder rather than moistening the Intestines — TCM commonly applies Ma Zi Ren Wan as an adjunct. It cannot replace evaluation of chronic constipation or underlying causes.
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Ma Zi Ren Wan: Classic TCM Formula for Constipation due to Intestinal Dryness & Heat
Ji Chuan Jian: Classic TCM Formula for Constipation due to Kidney Yang Deficiency & Fluid Deficiency
Run Chang Wan: Classic TCM Formula for Constipation due to Blood Deficiency & Intestinal Dryness
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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.