Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang — Drive Out Blood Stasis in the Lower Abdomen Decoction

On this page

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

What is Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang?

Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang — Drive Out Blood Stasis in the Lower Abdomen Decoction — is a classical formula from Wang Qingren’s Yi Lin Gai Cuo (1830) for Cold-Blood stasis in the lower abdomen. It is the most important formula in Chinese herbal medicine for the cold-pattern variety of dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis and pelvic Blood-stasis pain.

I prescribe Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang TCM pattern

Prescribed for Cold and Blood stasis in the lower abdomen: severe cramping or stabbing lower-abdominal pain that is markedly relieved by heat; dark menstrual blood with clots; irregular or scanty menstruation; cold lower abdomen and lower back; postpartum lower-abdominal pain; a purple or dusky tongue with white moist coat and a deep wiry or tight pulse.

Key herbs

1. Xiao Hui Xiang (fennel), Gan Jiang, Rou Gui — warm the lower Burner and dispel Cold
2. Yan Hu Suo, Mo Yao, Chuan Xiong — move Qi, invigorate Blood and relieve pain
3. Dang Gui, Chi Shao — invigorate Blood and ease cramping
4. Pu Huang, Wu Ling Zhi — the classical pair Shi Xiao San, dispel Blood stasis and stop pain

Formula actions

1. Warms the menses and dispels Cold from the lower abdomen
2. Invigorates the Blood and disperses Blood stasis
3. Moves Qi and relieves pelvic and abdominal pain

Conditions treated

1. Cold-pattern dysmenorrhoea with relief from heat
2. Endometriosis with cyclical cold cramping pain and dark clotted bleeding
3. Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease with cold Blood stasis
4. Postpartum abdominal pain
5. Sub-fertility with cold-and-stasis pelvic pattern
6. Selected presentations of irritable bowel syndrome with cold-pattern lower-abdominal pain

Cautions

Contraindicated in pregnancy, heavy menstrual bleeding without stasis, heat-pattern dysmenorrhoea and acute pelvic infection. Use cyclically in dysmenorrhoea, beginning a few days before menses and continuing through bleeding.

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

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