Wen Jing Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
温经汤 · Wēn Jīng Tāng
Classic gynecological formula for deficiency Cold in the Chong and Ren vessels with Blood deficiency and stagnation, leading to irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea and cold in the lower abdomen.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Blood-Tonifying Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Blood Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Warm channels, nourish Blood, regulate menses
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Warm the channels, dispel Cold, nourish Blood and regulate menstruation
- Classical Source
- Jin Gui Yao Lue (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
Classic gynecological formula for deficiency Cold in the Chong and Ren vessels with Blood deficiency and stagnation, leading to irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea and cold in the lower abdomen.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected when Cold has settled in the Chong and Ren vessels alongside Blood deficiency, producing irregular or painful menses with dry lips and palms — more chronic and gynaecologically focused than Dang Gui Si Ni Tang, and warming where Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang addresses stasis with Heat.
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 Gui6g
Chinese Angelica Root- invigorates blood and dispels stasis
川芎Chuan Xiong6g
Chuanxiong Rhizome- moves blood and qi and reaches the head and channels
白芍Bai Shao6g
White Peony Root- nourishes blood and astringes yin
- softens the liver and relieves pain
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
阿膠E Jiao6g
Donkey-hide Gelatin- nourishes blood and stanches bleeding
- enriches yin and moistens dryness
麥門冬Mai Men Dong9g
Ophiopogon Tuber- supports the formula's treatment strategy in this position
牡丹皮Mu Dan Pi6g
Moutan Bark / Tree Peony Bark- helps other medicinals to invigorate blood and dissipate stasis
- clears the heat due to deficiency in the blood level
人參Ren Shen6g
Ginseng Root- boosts qi and fortifies the spleen to supplement the source of generation and transformation
生薑Sheng Jiang6g
Fresh Ginger- warms the stomach and helps with generation and transformation
半夏Ban Xia6g
Pinellia Rhizome- harmonizes the stomach qi and directs counterflow downward
- harmonizes the stomach
- calms the center and dissipates masses
使EnvoyGuides and harmonises
Classical Composition
- Euodiae Fructus (Wu Zhu Yu) 3 liang (9g)
- Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui) 2 liang (6g)
- Paeoniae Radix Alba(Shao Yao) 2 liang (6g)
- Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuan Xiong) 2 liang (6g)
- Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Ren Shen) 2 liang (6g)
- Cinnamomi Ramulus (Gui Zhi) 2 liang (6g)
- Asini Corii Colla (E Jiao) 2 liang (6g)
- Moutan Cortex (Mu Dan Pi) 2 liang (6g)
- Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Sheng Jiang) 2 liang (6g)
- Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gan Cao) 2 liang (6g)
- Pinelliae Rhizoma (Ban Xia) 0.5 sheng (6g),Ophiopogonis Radix (Mai Dong) 1 sheng (9g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Warms the channels and dissipates cold
- dispels stasis and nourishes blood.
Indications
- Wen Jing Tang is indicated for deficiency-cold of the chong and ren mai, obstructive blood stasis marked by menstrual spotting or purple menses with blood clots.
- There may be irregular menstruation such as advanced, delayed, or prolonged periods, or having a period twice a month.
- There may also be inhibited menses, fever at night, vexatious heat in the palms, dry lips and mouth, distention and fullness of the lower abdomen, a dark red tongue, and a thready, choppy pulse.
- Infertility due to deficient cold of the uterus may also manifest.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- The pattern that Wen Jing Tang treats is due to deficiency-cold of the chong and ren mai, and obstructive blood stasis.
- Chong is the sea of blood, and ren dominates pregnancy.
- They originate from the uterus, travel around the lower abdomen, and are closely related to menstruation and childbirth.
- Therefore, deficiency-cold of the chong and ren mai leads to obstructive blood stasis causing lower abdomen pain and fullness, irregular menstruation, or infertility.
- Obstructive blood stasis, blood leaving the vessels or chong and ren mai failing to astringe can lead to early, bimonthly, or flooding and spotting menstruation.
- Blood stasis due to cold accumulation can cause delayed or inhibited menses.
- Blood stasis blocking the generation of new blood leads to dry lips and mouth due to the lack of moisture.
- Fever at night and vexatious heat of the palms reflect internal heat generated from the consumption of blood.
- This pattern has multiple pathogenic factors including stasis, cold, deficiency, and heat; however, deficiency-cold of the chong and ren mai and blood stasis are the most prominent.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment is to warm the channels, dissipate cold, dispel stasis, nourish blood, and clear deficiency-heat.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Wen Jing Tang is the primary formula for cold in the Chong-Ren with Blood deficiency. Dang Gui Si Ni Tang focuses more on cold extremities from Blood deficiency. Si Ni San addresses Liver constraint. Tao He Cheng Qi Tang and Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang address Blood stasis with heat rather than cold.
Clinical Differentiation
- Wen Jing Tang is a fundamental formula for regulating menstruation in gynecology.
- This clinical pattern is marked by irregular menstruation, cold pain in the lower abdomen, blood clots in the menses, occasional vexation and fever, dark red tongue, thready, choppy pulse.
Safety notes: This formula is not appropriate for irregular menstruation due to excessive heat or without blood stasis. Avoid raw or cold foods when taking this medication.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Wen Jing Tang?
Wen Jing Tang has the actions of warming the channels and dispersing Cold, nourishing Blood and dispelling stasis. It is primarily used for deficiency-cold of the Chong and Ren vessels combined with Blood stasis, leading to irregular menstruation and lower abdominal cold pain.
Which modern diseases is Wen Jing Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Chong-Ren deficiency-cold with Blood stasis, including dysfunctional uterine bleeding, cold-type dysmenorrhea, infertility related to uterine cold, and chronic pelvic inflammatory conditions.
Is Wen Jing Tang suitable for improving irregular periods and cold abdominal pain?
For presentations of irregular menstruation (early, late, spotting, or amenorrhea), lower abdominal cold pain or fullness, dark menstrual blood with clots, evening feverishness, dry lips, and a thin choppy pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Chong-Ren deficiency-cold with Blood stasis — TCM commonly applies Wen Jing Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment.
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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.