Wu Mo Yin Zi五磨饮子

Five-Ground Drink

Regulating Qi 理气剂Direct Rebellious Qi Downward 降气

Ingredients5 herbs

HerbDosageRoleWhat it does in this formula

乌Wu Yao乌药Linderae Radixequal part君 ChiefOpens Liver constraint and moves qi through chest and abdomen 沉Chen Xiang沉香Aquilariae Lignum Resinatumequal part臣 DeputyForces rebellious qi back down from the throat and chest 槟Bing Lang槟榔Arecae Semenequal part臣 DeputyDrives qi downward and breaks up the knot 枳Zhi Shi枳实Aurantii Fructus Immaturusequal part佐 AssistantBreaks qi and clears the fullness below the heart — one of the two herbs that replace Ren Shen 木Mu Xiang木香Aucklandiae Radixequal part佐 AssistantMoves stagnant qi through the middle burner and eases distending pain

Indications

Breaks up knotted qi and directs counterflow downwardOpens the chest and relieves acute distentionRestores the descent of qi after a sudden emotional shock

Qi syncope from constrained qi surging upwardand severe acute qi stagnation. Extreme emotion sends qi upward so forcefully that the chest tightens and consciousness may be briefly lost; the treatment is to break the knot and force the qi back down.

Clinical Manifestations

Sudden chest and abdominal distention after violent anger
A sense of qi rushing up to the throat with a tight chest
Fainting or collapse from a fit of rage in an otherwise strong person
Acute abdominal distention with belching and no appetite

TongueWhite coating

PulseWiry, forceful

Health Categories

Digestive HealthHeart & CirculationStress & Emotional Balance

Modern Applications

Vasovagal syncope Hyperventilation Acute abdominal distention Panic attack Functional dyspepsia

Common adjustments

Any sign of deficiency — return Ren Shen 人参 to the formula — that is, revert toward Si Mo Tang
Constipation with abdominal fullness — add Da Huang 大黄, which gives Liu Mo Tang
Marked heat with a red face and bitter taste — add Zhi Zi 栀子 and Huang Qin 黄芩
Phlegm obstructing with a rattling throat — add Zhi Ban Xia 制半夏 and Shi Chang Pu 石菖蒲

Contraindications

Contraindicated in any deficiency pattern: with the Ren Shen removed, the formula only breaks and drains. Collapse, fainting or loss of consciousness must be assessed as a medical emergency — cardiac, neurological and metabolic causes come first, and only after they are excluded does a qi pattern become the working diagnosis. Not for prolonged use.

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

Pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnancy. Zhi Shi and Bing Lang break qi downward with nothing in the formula to protect the upright qi, which makes it unsuitable at any stage of pregnancy.

References

Recorded in later formularies as a variation of Si Mo Tang; 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.