Jia Wei Wu Yao Tang加味乌药汤

Augmented Lindera Decoction

Regulating Qi 理气剂Promote the Movement of Qi 行气

Ingredients7 herbs

HerbDosageRoleWhat it does in this formula

香Xiang Fu香附Cyperi Rhizoma9 g (dry-fried)君 ChiefThe principal herb of menstrual regulation — opens Liver constraint and eases the distention 乌Wu Yao乌药Linderae Radix6 g君 ChiefMoves qi through the lower abdomen and warms as it moves 延Yan Hu Suo延胡索Corydalis Rhizoma6 g臣 DeputyMoves qi and blood together and is the formula's analgesic 木Mu Xiang木香Aucklandiae Radix6 g佐 AssistantRegulates qi in the middle and lower burner and relieves distention 砂Sha Ren砂仁Amomi Fructus6 g佐 AssistantWakes the Spleen aromatically so the middle keeps turning 生Sheng Jiang生姜Zingiberis Rhizoma recens3 slices佐 AssistantWarms the middle and helps the qi disperse 炙Zhi Gan Cao炙甘草Glycyrrhizae Radix Praeparata3 g使 EnvoyRelaxes cramping and harmonizes the acrid, moving herbs

Indications

Moves qi and opens Liver constraintInvigorates the blood and regulates menstruationStops distending pain

Dysmenorrhoea from Liver qi constraint. Emotion binds the qi, the qi fails to move the blood, and the Chong and Ren vessels cannot fill and empty smoothly — so the abdomen distends more than it aches, and the pain comes before the blood rather than after.

Clinical Manifestations

Distending lower abdominal pain before or at the start of the period
Breast and flank distention premenstrually
Period pain that worsens with stress or frustration
Irritability and sighing around the period
Pain that eases once the flow runs freely

TongueThin white coating

PulseWiry and tight

Health Categories

Women's Health

Modern Applications

Dysmenorrhoea Premenstrual syndrome Pelvic pain Breast tenderness Menstrual irregularity

Common adjustments

Blood stasis with clots and stabbing pain — add Dang Gui 当归 and Chuan Xiong 川芎
Cold in the lower burner — add Xiao Hui Xiang 小茴香 and Rou Gui 肉桂
Constraint has turned to heat with a bitter taste — add Zhi Zi 栀子 and Chuan Lian Zi 川楝子
Breast distention marked — add Chai Hu 柴胡 and Qing Pi 青皮
Underlying qi and blood deficiency — add Dang Shen 党参 and Bai Shao 白芍 so the moving herbs do not deplete further

Contraindications

Not for period pain from qi and blood deficiency, where the ache is dull, comes after the bleeding and improves with pressure — moving herbs make that worse. Period pain that is severe, progressively worsening, or accompanied by heavy bleeding, fever or pain outside the period should be investigated conventionally; endometriosis, fibroids and pelvic infection all present this way.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.

Pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnancy. Xiang Fu and Yan Hu Suo move qi and blood in the lower abdomen; if a period is late and pregnancy is possible, that must be ruled out before the formula is taken.

References

Source Ji Yin Gang Mu 《济阴纲目》 · Ming

「治妇人经水欲来，脐腹疠痛。」
— 《济阴纲目》(classical source, public domain)

Classical source (public domain), cited in the source-quote section.
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）— pattern analysis cross-checked.

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.