Liu Mo Tang六磨汤

Six-Ground Decoction

Regulating Qi 理气剂Direct Rebellious Qi Downward 降气

Ingredients6 herbs

HerbDosageRoleWhat it does in this formula

乌Wu Yao乌药Linderae Radixequal part君 ChiefOpens Liver constraint and moves qi through the abdomen 大Da Huang大黄Rhei Radix et Rhizomaadjusted to the stool, added late in the preparation臣 DeputyPurges the withheld stool — the single herb that separates this formula from Wu Mo Yin Zi 沉Chen Xiang沉香Aquilariae Lignum Resinatumequal part臣 DeputyDirects qi downward so the bowel is conducted rather than merely flushed 槟Bing Lang槟榔Arecae Semenequal part佐 AssistantDrives qi downward and breaks up accumulation in the intestines 枳Zhi Shi枳实Aurantii Fructus Immaturusequal part佐 AssistantBreaks qi and relieves the distention; some editions record Zhi Ke here instead 木Mu Xiang木香Aucklandiae Radixequal part佐 AssistantMoves qi in the intestines and eases the distending pain

Indications

Breaks up stagnant qi and directs it downwardUnblocks the bowel and drains accumulationRelieves abdominal distention and pain

Constipation from qi stagnation. The qi has stopped descending, so the intestines do not conduct downward and the stool is held; the pattern is one of blockage rather than of dryness or deficiency.

Clinical Manifestations

Constipation with abdominal distention from emotional constraint
Dry, withheld stool with frequent belching
Abdominal fullness and pain relieved after a bowel movement
Constipation with a sense of incomplete evacuation
Bloating and constipation after a period of stress

TongueThin, slightly greasy coating

PulseWiry

Health Categories

Digestive HealthStress & Emotional Balance

Modern Applications

Functional constipation Irritable bowel syndrome Abdominal bloating Post-operative ileus Slow-transit constipation

Common adjustments

Bowel opens and distention persists — remove Da Huang 大黄 and continue with the qi-moving herbs alone
Dryness of the stool prominent — add Huo Ma Ren 火麻仁 and Yu Li Ren 郁李仁
Underlying qi deficiency with straining and fatigue — reduce Da Huang 大黄 sharply and add Huang Qi 黄芪 and Bai Zhu 白术
Heat signs with a bitter taste and yellow coating — add Zhi Zi 栀子 and Huang Qin 黄芩
Zhi Shi not available — Zhi Ke 枳壳 is an accepted substitution and is the herb some editions of the formula record

Contraindications

Contraindicated in deficiency-type constipation, where the patient strains without result and is exhausted afterwards, and in constipation from blood or fluid depletion. Da Huang is a stimulant purgative and is not for prolonged use: continued use worsens sluggish bowel function rather than restoring it. New constipation with weight loss, blood in the stool, or a change in stool calibre must be investigated conventionally. Not for use in intestinal obstruction, where purgatives are dangerous.

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

Pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnancy. Da Huang is a purgative that stimulates the bowel and, with Zhi Shi and Bing Lang breaking qi downward, the whole prescription pushes in a direction that is unsafe during pregnancy. It is also avoided while breastfeeding, as anthraquinones pass into the milk.

References

Recorded in later formularies as a variation of Si Mo Tang and Wu Mo Yin Zi; no single primary source is asserted here.
2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition cross-checked.
3. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— listed as an appended formula to Si Mo Tang; 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.