Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang膈下逐瘀汤
Drive Out Stasis Below the Diaphragm Decoction
Ingredients12 herbs
Indications
Blood stasis with qi stagnation below the diaphragm. Blood congealed in the abdominal cavity fixes the pain in one place, and the accompanying qi stagnation gives distension that varies while the pain does not.
Clinical Manifestations
- Fixed stabbing pain in the abdomen or flanks
- Palpable abdominal masses
- Abdominal lumps in children
- Chronic diarrhoea that has resisted other treatment
- Long-standing abdominal distension with a heavy dragging feeling on lying down
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Marked cold with a cold abdomen — add Rou Gui 肉桂 or Gan Jiang 干姜
- Mass hard and long-standing — add San Leng 三棱 and E Zhu 莪术; withhold both if the patient takes anticoagulants
- Heat signs with a bitter mouth — add Huang Qin 黄芩 and reduce the warm qi-movers
- Weak digestion — add Bai Zhu 白术 and Fu Ling 茯苓
Contraindications
Not for abdominal pain of deficiency-cold that eases with pressure and warmth, and not where there is active gastrointestinal bleeding. An abdominal mass or persistent abdominal pain in an adult must be investigated before it is treated as stasis. Wu Ling Zhi is traditionally kept apart from Ren Shen in one prescription.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Contraindicated in pregnancy. Tao Ren, Hong Hua and Wu Ling Zhi move blood strongly and Yan Hu Suo with Wu Yao adds to the downward-moving force; together they can provoke uterine contraction and bleeding. Not appropriate while breastfeeding without supervision. The formula also increases the bleeding risk of warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs.
Related Formulas
References
Source Yi Lin Gai Cuo 《医林改错》 · Qing
「膈下逐瘀汤所治之症目：积块，小儿痞块，痛不移处，卧则腹坠，肾泻，久泻。」
- Classical source (public domain) — 《医林改错》, Qing dynasty, Wang Qing-ren.
2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
3. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— listed among the 附方 grouped with 血府逐瘀汤.
Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.