Stabilise and Bind — herbs and formulas (固涩剂)

Astringent formulas use sour and astringent herbs to stop pathological leakage of body substances — excessive sweating, chronic diarrhoea, urinary incontinence, spermatorrhoea, uterine bleeding. Always used as the Branch alongside tonification of the underlying deficiency.

Sub-categories

1. Stop sweating — Mu Li San, Yu Ping Feng San
2. Bind the Intestines — Zhen Ren Yang Zang Tang, Si Shen Wan
3. Astringe Essence and Urine — Suo Quan Wan, Sang Piao Xiao San
4. Stabilise Womb and stop bleeding — Gu Chong Tang, Gu Jing Wan

Herbs in this category

The following individual herbs belong to this category in the Chinese Materia Medica:

• Bai Guo (Ginkgo biloba seed)
• Lian Zi (Lotus Seed)
• Rou Dou Kou (Nutmeg Seed)
• Shan Zhu Yu (Asiatic Cornelian Cherry Fruit)
• Wu Bei Zi (Chinese Gall)
• Wu Mei (Mume Plum / Smoked Plum)
• Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Berry (Five Flavour Fruit))
• Yi Zhi Ren (Black cardamom fruit / Sharp-leaf galangal fruit)

Formulas in this category

The following classical and modern formulas in this category are detailed individually in the formula directory:

1. Yu Ping Feng San — Wei Qi deficiency, immune support
2. Mu Li San — spontaneous sweating from Qi deficiency
3. Si Shen Wan — cock-crow diarrhoea (Kidney-Spleen Yang)
4. Zhen Ren Yang Zang Tang — chronic diarrhoea with prolapse
5. Sang Piao Xiao San — Bladder Qi deficiency with frequency
6. Suo Quan Wan — urinary frequency / incontinence
7. Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan — spermatorrhoea / premature ejaculation

Browse the full formula directory for over 260 individual formula pages.

When this category is used

Formulas that Stabilise and Bind are typically prescribed for: night sweats, chronic diarrhoea, urinary incontinence, premature ejaculation, heavy menstrual bleeding. The choice of specific formula within the category is determined by precise Eight Principles pattern differentiation in clinical consultation.

About prescribing

Chinese herbal formulas are dispensed by qualified practitioners following individual TCM diagnosis. The herbs I prescribe are pharmaceutical-grade granules from Sun Ten in Taiwan, tested to the highest international quality and safety standards. Online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.

Return to the Chinese herbal medicine main page or browse individual herbs.