Ji Chuan Jian — Benefit the River Decoction

On this page

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

Overview

Ji Chuan Jian — the “Benefit the River Decoction” — is from Zhang Jingyue’s Ming-dynasty Jing Yue Quan Shu. The name evokes the principle of replenishing a dried-up river to restore its flow: the formula treats constipation in elderly or post-partum patients from Kidney Yang and Essence depletion. Rather than purging with cold draining herbs (which would further damage the Yang), it warms the Kidney, gently moistens the bowel and uses Niu Xi to direct Qi downward and Sheng Ma to lift Qi upward — restoring the normal Qi dynamic that propels stool.

I prescribe Ji Chuan Jian as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Ji Chuan Jian is prescribed for Kidney Yang and Essence deficiency constipation:

• Chronic difficult bowel movement in elderly or post-partum patients
• Dry stool that is hard to pass despite no excess Heat
• Lower-back ache, knees feel cold or weak
• Frequent clear urination
• Cold extremities
• Pale or dull complexion, lacking lustre
• Tongue — pale, moist coat
• Pulse — deep, slow, weak in the chi position

Key herbs

1. Rou Cong Rong — chief; warms Kidney Yang; moistens the Intestines
2. Dang Gui — nourishes Blood and moistens the Intestines
3. Niu Xi — tonifies Kidney; directs Qi and Blood downward
4. Ze Xie — drains slightly to prevent stagnation
5. Sheng Ma — lifts clear Yang; allows turbid to descend by opening the Qi dynamic
6. Zhi Ke — regulates Qi; eases bowel movement

Formula actions

1. Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang and Essence
2. Moistens the Intestines
3. Restores Qi dynamic to facilitate defecation

Conditions treated

1. Chronic constipation in the elderly with Kidney Yang deficiency
2. Post-partum constipation with Essence depletion
3. Post-surgical constipation with cold pattern
4. Constipation in Parkinson’s disease with cold-deficient pattern
5. Constipation in hypothyroidism
6. Slow-transit constipation in older adults

Cautions

Not appropriate for constipation from Heat (dry mouth, red tongue, foul stool), Liver Qi stagnation, or Damp-Heat — choose Ma Zi Ren Wan, Run Chang Wan or Cheng Qi Tang variants instead.

Constipation with weight loss, blood in stool or change in bowel habit needs urgent medical assessment to exclude bowel cancer.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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