Ma Zi Ren Wan麻子仁丸

Hemp Seed Pill (Apricot Seed & Linum Formula)

Purging Downward 泻下剂Moist Laxative 润下

Ingredients6 herbs

HerbDosageRoleWhat it does in this formula

麻Huo Ma Ren麻子仁Cannabis Semen500g君 ChiefRich and oily, moistens the Intestines and softens the stool

芍Bai Shao芍药Paeoniae Radix Alba250g臣 DeputyPreserves yin and relaxes tension in the abdomen

枳Zhi Shi枳实炙Aurantii Fructus Immaturus250g佐 AssistantBreaks up stagnant qi in the bowel 大Da Huang大黄去皮Rhei Radix et Rhizoma500g佐 AssistantDrains dry heat downward, in a dose smaller than a true purgative's 厚Hou Po厚朴炙，去皮Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex250g佐 AssistantMoves qi and relieves fullness 杏Xing Ren杏仁去皮尖，熬，别作脂Armeniacae Amarum Semen250g臣 DeputyDescends Lung qi and moistens, so the bowel follows

Indications

Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowelsDrains heat gentlyMoves qi in the Intestines

Intestinal dryness with Stomach heat — the bound-Spleen pattern: heat in the Stomach dries the intestines while fluid is drawn off through frequent urination, so stools harden without the fullness, distension and pain of a true Yang Ming excess.

Clinical Manifestations

Habitual dry, hard constipation
Constipation in the elderly, or after childbirth or illness
Dry stools alongside frequent clear urination
Constipation after a febrile illness has dried the intestines
Hemorrhoid-related constipation where straining must be avoided

TongueDry, with a thin yellow coating

PulseFloating and choppy, or thin and rapid

Health Categories

Women's HealthDigestive Health

Modern Applications

Chronic constipation Functional constipation Constipation in the elderly Postpartum constipation Hemorrhoids

Common adjustments

Frail elderly patient with little strength to pass stool — reduce Da Huang 大黄 and add Bai Zhu 白术, Huang Qi 黄芪
Marked fluid and yin dryness — add Sheng Di Huang 生地黄, Xuan Shen 玄参, Mai Men Dong 麦门冬 — the Zeng Ye Tang 增液汤 direction
More moistening wanted without more purging — add Yu Li Ren 郁李仁
Qi stagnation with distension and difficult passage — add Mu Xiang 木香, Bing Lang 槟榔

Contraindications

It contains Da Huang and Zhi Shi and is not a formula for indefinite use — habitual reliance dries the intestines further. Not for constipation from qi or blood deficiency, or from cold, both of which call for tonifying or warming instead. Reduce or stop if stools turn watery or cramping appears.

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

Pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnancy — Da Huang and Zhi Shi drive downward and can stimulate uterine activity. Constipation during pregnancy is managed with moistening rather than purging methods.

References

Source Shang Han Lun 《伤寒论》 · Eastern Han

「趺阳脉浮而涩，浮则胃气强，涩则小便数，浮涩相搏，大便则硬，其脾为约，麻子仁丸主之。」
— 《伤寒论》(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.