Wu Wei Zi San五味子散
Schisandra Powder
Ingredients2 herbs
Indications
Kidney diarrhoea: cold in the lower burner with the lower gate unable to hold, presenting as stool in the early hours. It addresses the leak and the cold; where deficiency dominates, it is combined rather than used alone.
Clinical Manifestations
- Diarrhoea before dawn
- Loose stool with cold cramping that eases after passing
- Chronic morning urgency
- Cold abdomen with rumbling
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Kidney and Spleen yang clearly deficient — combine with Er Shen Wan 二神丸 — Bu Gu Zhi 补骨脂 and Rou Dou Kou 肉豆蔻 — giving Si Shen Wan
- Loss so frequent the bowel will not hold — add Chi Shi Zhi 赤石脂 or He Zi 诃子
Contraindications
Not for diarrhoea with damp-heat, food stagnation or acute infection. Wu Zhu Yu is hot and, in quantity, can cause headache, dry mouth and nausea, so it is kept to a small share and used briefly.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Avoided in pregnancy — Wu Zhu Yu is hot and dispersing and is generally not given to pregnant patients.
References
Source Pu Ji Ben Shi Fang 《普济本事方》 · Southern Song
- Classical source as cited above (public domain).
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）— listed as an appended formula to Si Shen Wan.
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.