Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang — Drive Out Blood Stasis Below the Diaphragm

On this page

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

Overview

Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang — Drive Out Blood Stasis Below the Diaphragm — is one of the five Blood stasis-resolving formulas created by the Qing Dynasty physician Wang Qingren (1768–1831 CE), each targeting a specific region of the body. This formula specifically targets Blood stasis in the abdomen — below the diaphragm — where it accumulates to form palpable or non-palpable masses, chronic pain and organ dysfunction. While Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang targets the chest and upper body, and Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan specifically addresses the uterus, Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang treats the broader abdominal region including the Liver, Spleen, and abdominal organs. It is a powerfully Blood-moving formula with a strong pain-relieving and mass-dissolving action.

TCM pattern

Prescribed for Blood stasis accumulating below the diaphragm, characterised by: fixed abdominal pain that is worse with pressure, palpable or non-palpable abdominal masses (ji ju), chronic pain in the liver or spleen region, a purple or dark tongue with possible ecchymosis (petechiae), and a deep, choppy (Se) or wiry pulse.

Key herbs

1. Tao Ren (Prunus persica seed) — the most potent Blood-moving herb; breaks up Blood stasis and softens hardness
2. Hong Hua (Carthamus tinctorius flower) — invigorates Blood, disperses stasis and alleviates pain
3. Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis root) — nourishes Blood while invigorating circulation
4. Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong rhizome) — invigorates Blood and moves Qi
5. Chi Shao (Paeonia lactiflora root, red) — clears Heat, invigorates Blood and disperses stasis
6. Mu Dan Pi (Paeonia suffruticosa root bark) — clears Blood Heat and invigorates Blood
7. Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis yanhusuo rhizome) — the most important herb in TCM for alleviating pain from Blood and Qi stagnation; invigorates Blood and moves Qi specifically to relieve pain
8. Wu Ling Zhi (Trogopterus xanthipes faeces) — invigorates Blood, disperses stasis and alleviates pain
9. Xiang Fu (Cyperus rotundus rhizome) — moves Qi in the abdomen; since Qi moves Blood, Qi movement enhances Blood stasis resolution
10. Zhi Ke (Citrus aurantium fruit) — moves Qi and reduces abdominal distension
11. Wu Yao (Lindera strychnifolia root) — moves Qi in the lower abdomen and alleviates pain
12. Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis root) — harmonises the formula

Conditions treated

1. Endometriosis with fixed abdominal pain and masses — used alongside Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan for severe cases
2. Ovarian cysts and adnexal masses from Blood stasis accumulation in the lower abdomen
3. Liver disease with hepatomegaly and Blood stasis pattern — liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis with portal hypertension
4. Chronic abdominal pain from Blood stasis — fixed, stabbing pain worsened by pressure
5. Splenic disorders with Blood stasis — splenomegaly from chronic disease
6. Post-surgical adhesions and abdominal pain from surgical Blood stasis

Powerfully Blood-moving — contraindicated in pregnancy. Use with caution in patients with significant Qi or Blood deficiency.

Cautions

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available. See the prices page for costs.