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Cura x Cura

San Wu Bei Ji Wan三物备急丸

Three-Substance Pill for Emergencies

Purging Downward 泻下剂Warm Purgation 温下

Ingredients3 herbs

巴Ba Dou Shuang巴豆霜equal part君 ChiefViolently drives out the cold accumulation — strongly toxic, used defatted and in minute dose
干Gan Jiang干姜equal part臣 DeputyWarms the middle and supports Ba Dou against the cold大Da Huang大黄equal part佐 AssistantPurges downward and restrains Ba Dou's violence with its cold nature

Indications

Drives out cold accumulation with forceOpens an abruptly blocked bowelRelieves sudden severe abdominal pain

Cold accumulation abruptly blocking the interiorin a patient whose constitution can tolerate a violent purge. This is an acute-crisis formula, not a treatment for chronic constipation.

Clinical Manifestations

  • Sudden severe abdominal pain with constipation from cold food stagnation
  • Abrupt bowel blockage with clamped jaw and laboured breathing
  • Acute cold accumulation in a robust patient, as an emergency measure
TongueWhite coating
PulseDeep and forceful

Health Categories

Digestive Health

Modern Applications

Acute abdomenIntestinal obstructionAcute constipationFood impaction

Common adjustments

  • Any sign of deficiency or heat — the formula is withheld — there is no safe way to soften it
  • Bowel has moved — stop at once; cold porridge is the classical measure to check an over-vigorous purge

Contraindications

Ba Dou is strongly toxic and a violent purgative — this formula is for a confirmed cold-excess emergency in a robust patient only. It is withheld in deficiency, in heat patterns, in the elderly and frail, in children, and while breastfeeding. Ba Dou and Qian Niu Zi are a classical incompatible pair. Given only where the patient can be watched continuously, and stopped the moment the bowel opens.

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

Pregnancy

Absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy. Ba Dou is a toxic drastic purgative and Da Huang purges downward; classical practice places this among the most strictly forbidden formulas for pregnant patients. Also contraindicated while breastfeeding.

References

Source Jin Gui Yao Lue 《金匮要略》 · Eastern Han

「主心腹诸卒暴百病，若中恶客忤，心腹胀满，卒痛如锥刺，气急口噤，停尸卒死者。」
— 《金匮要略·杂疗方》(classical source, public domain)
  1. 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）— chapter placement, 功用 and 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.