Yue Ju Wan
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
越鞠丸 · Yuè Jū Wán
Classic formula for the Six Stagnations (Qi, Blood, Phlegm, Fire, Dampness and Food stagnation). Addresses chest and epigastric oppression, distension, indigestion and emotional constraint from multiple stagnations.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Qi-Regulating Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Qi Stagnation
- Primary Function
- Regulate Qi, resolve stagnation of the Six Constraints
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Regulate Qi and relieve the Six Stagnations (Qi, Blood, Phlegm, Fire, Damp, Food)
- Classical Source
- Dan Xi Xin Fa (Teachings of Zhu Danxi, Yuan dynasty)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
Classic formula for the Six Stagnations (Qi, Blood, Phlegm, Fire, Dampness and Food stagnation). Addresses chest and epigastric oppression, distension, indigestion and emotional constraint from multiple stagnations.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected when several constraints coexist — Qi, Blood, damp, phlegm, fire and food — calling for a broad, evenly weighted formula, rather than the specifically Liver-directed Qi movement of Chai Hu Shu Gan San or the constraint-with-deficiency picture that Xiao Yao San addresses.
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
蒼朮Cang Zhu6g
Atractylodes Rhizome- dries dampness and activates the spleen to treat damp constraint
川芎Chuan Xiong6g
Chuanxiong Rhizome- invigorates blood and dissolves stasis to treat blood constraint
- assists xiang fu to move qi and resolve constraint
佐/使Assistant & EnvoyTreats accompanying patterns, harmonises the whole
神麴Shen Qu6g
Medicated Leaven- promotes digestion and guides out food stagnation to treat food constraint
梔子Zhi Zi6g
Gardenia Fruit- clears heat and drains fire to treat fire constraint
Classical Composition
- Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiang Fu) 6-9g
- Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuan Xiong) 6-9g
- Atractylodis Rhizoma (Cang Zhu) 6-9g
- Gardeniae Fructus (Zhi Zi) 6-9g
- Medicata Massa Fermentata (Shen Qu) 6-9g
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Moves qi and resolves constraint.
Indications
- Yue Ju Wan is indicated for the pattern of six constraints.
- The symptoms are chest oppression, epigastric and abdominal distention or pain, eructation with fetid odor, acid swallowing, nausea, vomiting, and indigestion.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- Yue Ju Wan treats the pattern of six constraints: qi constraint, blood constraint, phlegm constraint, fire constraint, damp constraint, and food constraint.
- Of these, qi constraint is the major pathomechanism as qi is the root of human life.
- When qi movement is balanced and its perpetual circulation of ascending, descending, exiting, and entering is in order, the zang-fu organ functions can be regulated and the extremities and joints soothed.
- Irregular bouts of happiness and anger, excessive worry, being too hot or too cold, or an imbalanced diet can cause a qi movement disorder to develop into a disease.
- Qi stagnation can hinder blood circulation and lead to blood constraint.
- When qi stagnation affects the body fluid distribution, it leads to damp and phlegm constraint.
- When it affects the transformation and transportation of the spleen and the receiving of the stomach, it leads to food constraint.
- If qi constraint is not resolved, it will generate heat and transform into fire.
- All of the constraints follow qi constraint.
- Here, the six constraints are already established, so there is chest oppression, epigastric and abdominal pain and distention, acid swallowing, vomiting, and indigestion.
- Qi constraint is the primary pattern of this formula, yet qi constraint, blood constraint, fire constraint, damp constraint, phlegm constraint, and food stagnation are related with each other.
- Resolving the other constraints is secondary.
- The smooth flow of qi promotes blood circulation and resolves phlegm, fire, damp, and food constraint simultaneously.
Treatment strategy
- The primary therapeutic principle is to move qi and resolve constraint.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Yue Ju Wan addresses broad multi-stagnation patterns. Chai Hu Shu Gan San focuses more specifically on Liver Qi stagnation with pain. Xiao Yao San and Jia Wei Xiao Yao San address Liver constraint combined with Blood and Spleen deficiency.
Clinical Differentiation
- Yue Ju Wan is the representative formula used to treat six constraints.
- This clinical pattern is marked by chest oppression, epigastric and abdominal pain and distention, indigestion.
Safety notes: Most of the medicinals in this formula are warm and dry with the action to move and disperse; therefore, it should be used cautiously in cases of 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 Yue Ju Wan?
Yue Ju Wan has the actions of moving Qi and resolving constraint, thereby addressing the six stagnations. It is primarily used for patterns involving simultaneous Qi, Blood, Phlegm, Fire, Damp, and Food constraint, with chest or epigastric oppression and digestive discomfort.
Which modern diseases is Yue Ju Wan suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within the six constraints, including functional dyspepsia, chronic gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome with stagnation, stress-related digestive disorders, and dysmenorrhea linked to Qi constraint.
Is Yue Ju Wan suitable for improving chest oppression and indigestion?
For presentations of chest or epigastric oppression, abdominal distension or pain, belching with foul odor, acid regurgitation, nausea, reduced appetite, and a wiry or slippery pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms the six constraints — TCM commonly applies Yue Ju Wan 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.