Ai Fu Nuan Gong Wan — Mugwort & Cyperus Warm the Uterus Pill

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

Ai Fu Nuan Gong Wan — the “Mugwort and Cyperus Warm the Uterus Pill” — is from the Ming-dynasty Ren Zhai Zhi Zhi Fang Lun via Fu Qing-zhu’s gynaecology. It is one of the most important gynaecological formulas for cold uterus pattern — combining Ai Ye (mugwort, the herb of moxibustion and a uterine warmer) and Xiang Fu (cyperus, Liver-Qi mover) with a Si Wu Tang core (Blood-nourishing) and Wu Zhu Yu, Rou Gui (warming herbs). Used for cold-uterus infertility, cold-pattern period pain, recurrent miscarriage with cold pattern and amenorrhoea from cold blockage.

I prescribe Ai Fu Nuan Gong Wan as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Ai Fu Nuan Gong Wan is prescribed for cold-stagnation in the uterus with Blood deficiency:

• Late, scanty or absent periods
• Cold-pattern period pain, relieved by warmth and pressure
• Cold sensation in lower abdomen
• Pale or dark menstrual blood with clots
• Infertility with cold lower abdomen
• History of recurrent miscarriage
• Cold extremities, possibly low back ache
• Tongue — pale, white moist coat
• Pulse — deep, slow, possibly thin

Key herbs

1. Ai Ye (Fl. Artemisiae Argyi, 9–15g) — chief; warms the uterus; stops cold-pattern bleeding; the herb of moxibustion
2. Xiang Fu (Rz. Cyperi, 6–12g) — spreads Liver Qi in the lower abdomen
3. Wu Zhu Yu (Fr. Evodiae, 3–6g) — warms the Liver channel; disperses cold
4. Rou Gui (Cx. Cinnamomi, 1.5–3g) — warms Kidney Yang; warms the Ren and Chong vessels
5. Dang Gui (Rx. Angelicae Sinensis, 9–12g), Chuan Xiong (Rz. Chuanxiong, 6–9g), Bai Shao (Rx. Paeoniae Alba, 6–12g), Shu Di Huang (Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata, 9–15g) — Si Wu Tang core; nourish and move Blood
6. Xu Duan (Rx. Dipsaci, 9–12g) — tonifies Kidney; secures the uterus and prevents miscarriage
7. Huang Qi (Rx. Astragali, 9–15g) — tonifies Qi

Formula actions

1. Warms the uterus and disperses cold
2. Nourishes and moves Blood
3. Regulates menstruation
4. Supports fertility and pregnancy maintenance

Conditions treated

1. Cold-uterus infertility — see fertility
2. Cold-pattern dysmenorrhoea — see dysmenorrhoea
3. Recurrent miscarriage with cold pattern — see miscarriage
4. Late or scanty periods with cold pattern — see irregular menstrual cycle
5. Amenorrhoea from cold blockage
6. Cold-pattern endometriosis pain — see endometriosis
7. Thin endometrial lining with cold-uterus pattern — see thin endometrial lining

Cautions

Not appropriate for Heat patterns, Yin-deficient patterns or Damp-Heat dysmenorrhoea — the warming herbs would aggravate Heat.

If used in pregnancy, requires careful supervision — some warming herbs are normally contraindicated but used in cold-pattern threatened miscarriage under expert prescription.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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