Huai Jiao Wan — Sophora Fruit Pill

On this page

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

Overview

Huai Jiao Wan — the “Sophora Fruit Pill” — is from the Song-dynasty Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang. Where its companion formula Huai Hua San uses the flower for a more dispersing dispersing action, Huai Jiao Wan uses the fruit (jiao = pod) for a sustained cooling and bleeding-stopping action better suited to chronic recurrent rectal bleeding and haemorrhoids. The addition of Dang Gui and Di Yu both moves and cools the Blood, while Fang Feng addresses the recurrent “intestinal Wind” pattern.

I prescribe Huai Jiao Wan as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Huai Jiao Wan is prescribed for chronic Wind-Heat with Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine causing bleeding:

• Chronic recurrent rectal bleeding
• Bright red blood before, during or after bowel movement
• Prolapsed internal haemorrhoids
• Anal pain, itching, possible swelling
• Mild dryness in the mouth
• Tongue — red, yellow coat
• Pulse — rapid, slippery

Key herbs

1. Huai Jiao (sophora fruit) — chief; cools Blood; stops bleeding from the lower burner
2. Di Yu (sanguisorba root) — cools Blood; stops bleeding; treats burns and lower-burner bleeding
3. Huang Qin — clears Damp-Heat from the Large Intestine
4. Dang Gui — nourishes and moves Blood; prevents stagnation from the cooling herbs
5. Fang Feng — releases Wind from the lower burner
6. Zhi Ke — regulates Qi; reduces haemorrhoidal congestion

Formula actions

1. Cools Blood and stops intestinal bleeding
2. Expels Wind from the Large Intestine
3. Reduces haemorrhoidal swelling
4. Moves Blood to prevent stagnation

Conditions treated

1. Chronic bleeding internal haemorrhoids
2. Prolapsed haemorrhoids with bleeding
3. Chronic anal fissure with bleeding
4. Recurrent rectal bleeding after medical investigation has excluded serious pathology
5. Ulcerative colitis with Heat pattern bleeding — see ulcerative colitis
6. Post-haemorrhoidectomy recovery

Cautions

Rectal bleeding always requires medical investigation to exclude bowel cancer, polyps or IBD — especially in patients over 45, with weight loss, change in bowel habit, dark or mixed-in blood, family history of bowel cancer, or persistent symptoms.

Not appropriate for cold-deficient bleeding (dark or dull blood, pale tongue, cold extremities) — use Huang Tu Tang.

For longer-term use as needed; haemorrhoid surgery is appropriate for severe prolapse.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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