Wu Mei Wan
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
烏梅丸 · Wū Méi Wán
A classical Shang Han formula for Jueyin ascaris syndrome with intermittent abdominal pain, vomiting of worms and mixed cold-heat.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Astringent Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Cold Accumulation
- Primary Function
- Calm roundworms, warm organs, clear heat, drain downward
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Calm ascaris and simultaneously warm the middle and clear heat
- Classical Source
- Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical Shang Han formula for Jueyin ascaris syndrome with intermittent abdominal pain, vomiting of worms and mixed cold-heat.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for Jueyin ascaris syndrome or mixed cold-heat with intermittent severe abdominal pain, rather than epigastric glomus, painful diarrhea, or damp-heat dysentery.
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
細辛Xi Xin3g
Asarum / Wild Ginger- warms the channels
- releases the exterior and opens the orifices
乾薑Gan Jiang9g
Dried Ginger- warms the middle and transforms cold
黃連Huang Lian9g
Coptis Rhizome- subdues roundworms with acrid flavor and dispels cold with warmth
佐/使Assistant & EnvoyTreats accompanying patterns, harmonises the whole
黃柏Huang Bai6g
Phellodendron Bark- clears damp-heat from the and lowers jiao
附子Fu Zi6g
Prepared Aconite Root- warms the zang-organs
- dispels cold with heat and subdues roundworms with acridity
花椒Hua Jiao3g
Sichuan Pepper- promotes urination
- regulates water and drains dampness to arrest diarrhea
桂枝Gui Zhi6g
Cinnamon Twig- warms and unblocks the channels
人參Ren Shen6g
Ginseng Root- powerfully boosts yuan qi and fortifies the spleen and lung
當歸Dang Gui6g
Chinese Angelica Root- supplements and nourishes the qi and blood
- nourishes blood dredge vessels together with gui zhi
Classical Composition
- Mume Fructus (Wu Mei) 300 pieces (480g)
- Asari Radix et Rhizoma (Xi Xin) 6 liang (180g)
- Zingiberis Rhizoma (Gan Jiang) 10 liang (300g)
- Coptidis Rhizoma (Huang Lian) 16 liang (480g)
- Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui) 4 liang (120g)
- Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata(Zhi Fu Zi) 6 liang (180g)
- Zanthoxyli Pericarpium (Hua Jiao) 4 liang (120g)
- Cinnamomi Ramulus(Gui Zhi) 6 liang (3g)
- Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma(Ren Shen) 6 liang (180g)
- Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex (Huang Bai) 6 liang (180g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Calms roundworms and relieves pain.
Indications
- Wu Mei Wan is used for syncope due to roundworms.
- The symptoms include paroxysmal pain of the abdomen and stomach cavity, vexatious vomiting, vomiting after eating, vomiting roundworms, cold limbs, and chronic diarrhea or dysentery.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- The pattern of syncope due to roundworms that Wu Mei Wan treats is caused by a complicated condition referred to as cold and heat in complexity.
- When there is deficiency cold in the intestines, roundworms become restless and begin to migrate upwards in search of warmth.
- Roundworms prefer warmth and have an aversion to cold; hence the saying, “roundworms are restless with cold and relaxed with warmth”.
- They live in the intestines, drill into tissues and harass the upper body.
- Therefore, cold and heat in complexity may cause roundworms to become restless and lead to paroxysmal pain in the abdomen and stomach cavity, vexatious vomiting and vomiting of roundworms.
- The pain is intermittent because symptoms appear when the roundworms become restless and disappear when they are relaxed.
- Severe pain typically results in counterflow and disordered qi movement leading to poor communication between the yang and yin, cold limbs and syncope.
- The cold and heat in complexity and deficiency of zheng qi also leads to chronic diarrhea and dysentery.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment principle is to calm ascaris and simultaneously warm the middle and clear heat.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Wu Mei Wan, Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang, Tong Xie Yao Fang and Bai Tou Weng Tang address mixed cold-heat or abdominal patterns. Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang harmonizes mixed cold-heat glomus; Tong Xie Yao Fang treats painful diarrhea from Liver-Spleen disharmony; Bai Tou Weng Tang clears damp-heat dysentery. Wu Mei Wan calms ascaris and treats Jueyin mixed cold-heat with intermittent abdominal pain.
Clinical Differentiation
- Wu Mei Wan serves as both a common and representative formula applicable for syncope due to roundworms and the condition of cold and heat in complexity.
- This clinical pattern is marked by paroxysmal abdominal pain, vexatious vomiting, vomiting of roundworms, cold limbs.
Safety notes: This formula should be applied for excessive cold patterns because it is predominantly warm. Avoid raw, cold and malodorous food during the course of treatment.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Wu Mei Wan?
Wu Mei Wan has the actions of warming the viscera, draining Heat, calming ascaris, and restoring the Jue Yin. It is Shang Han Lun’s representative formula for mixed Cold and Heat in Jue Yin, classically including roundworm reversal and also used for chronic mixed Cold-Heat diarrhea.
Which modern conditions is Wu Mei Wan suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Jue Yin mixed Cold-Heat, including chronic diarrhea that alternates or combines Cold and Heat signs, some colitis presentations of this pattern after medical evaluation, and remnant mixed-Heat-Cold pictures after a long illness — not as a substitute for antiparasitic or gastroenterological care.
Is Wu Mei Wan suitable for vomiting, diarrhea, and cold limbs with a hot irritable chest?
For presentations of mixed signs — cold limbs or a preference for warmth below, thirst or a burning irritable sensation above, vomiting or chronic diarrhea, a pale or mottled tongue, and a wiry pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Jue Yin mixed Cold-Heat — TCM commonly applies Wu Mei Wan as an adjunct. Acute abdomen, bloody diarrhea, or high fever needs urgent medical care.
Related Products
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Related Articles
Wu Mei Wan: Classic TCM Formula for Jueyin Disorder, Roundworms & Mixed Cold-Heat
Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Epigastric Fullness, Mixed Cold-Heat & Digestive Disharmony
Bai Tou Weng Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Damp-Heat Dysentery & Hot Bloody Diarrhea
Tong Xie Yao Fang: Classic TCM Formula for Painful Diarrhea, Liver-Spleen Disharmony
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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.