Tai Shan Pan Shi San — Powder Stable as a Mountain

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Comparisons with related formulas
7. Cautions

Overview

Tai Shan Pan Shi San — the “Powder Stable as Mount Tai” — is from the Ming-dynasty physician Wan Quan’s Wan Shi Mi Chuan. It is one of the most important classical formulas for threatened miscarriage from Qi and Blood deficiency. The name evokes the stability and immovable strength of Mount Tai, one of China’s sacred mountains — the formula is intended to anchor the pregnancy as solidly as the mountain.

The composition builds on Ba Zhen Tang (Qi and Blood tonification) with the addition of Xu Duan (Kidney Yang and ligament-strengthening), Sha Ren (Spleen-strengthening and pregnancy-calming), Huang Qin (small dose to clear any Heat that might disturb the fetus) and Nuo Mi (glutinous rice) for further pregnancy-supportive nourishment.

I prescribe Tai Shan Pan Shi San as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan, under careful obstetric supervision.

TCM pattern

Tai Shan Pan Shi San is prescribed for threatened miscarriage from Qi and Blood deficiency:

• Threatened miscarriage — light spotting or bleeding in early pregnancy
• Lower back ache
• Mild lower abdominal pain or pressure
• Fatigue, weakness
• Pale complexion
• Mild palpitations
• History of recurrent miscarriage
• Tongue — pale, possibly with teethmarks
• Pulse — thin, weak, possibly slippery (pregnancy pulse)

Key herbs

1. Ren Shen — tonifies Yuan Qi
2. Huang Qi — tonifies Spleen and Lung Qi; holds blood
3. Bai Zhu — tonifies Spleen and stabilises pregnancy
4. Zhi Gan Cao — harmonises
5. Dang Gui — nourishes Blood
6. Chuan Xiong (small dose) — moves Blood
7. Bai Shao — nourishes Blood
8. Shu Di Huang — nourishes Yin and Blood
9. Xu Duan (teasel root) — tonifies Kidney Yang, strengthens ligaments and lower back, calms the fetus
10. Sha Ren (amomum) — strengthens Spleen and calms the fetus
11. Huang Qin (small dose) — pregnancy-safe Heat-clearer; classically considered to calm the fetus
12. Nuo Mi (glutinous rice) — nourishes the Stomach

Formula actions

1. Tonifies Qi and Blood
2. Strengthens Kidney
3. Calms and stabilises the fetus
4. Stops bleeding
5. Prevents miscarriage

Conditions treated

1. Threatened miscarriage in the first trimester with Qi-Blood deficiency pattern — see miscarriage
2. Recurrent miscarriage — prophylactic use from confirmation of pregnancy
3. Subchorionic haematoma in early pregnancy
4. Light bleeding in early pregnancy with deficiency picture
5. Preparation for pregnancy after recurrent miscarriage — building Qi and Blood before conception
6. Early pregnancy support in IVF after embryo transfer

Comparisons with related formulas

• Shou Tai Wan — for threatened miscarriage from Kidney deficiency; different pattern.
• Ba Zhen Tang — the base Qi-Blood formula without pregnancy-specific additions.
• Jiao Ai Tang — for threatened miscarriage with bleeding from Blood deficiency (contains E Jiao — we modify).

Cautions

Threatened miscarriage requires obstetric assessment — ultrasound, beta-hCG levels and clinical examination are essential. Chinese herbs are an adjunct to obstetric care.

Severe pain, heavy bleeding, dizziness or fever in early pregnancy is a medical emergency — call 999 or attend A&E to exclude ectopic pregnancy and complete miscarriage.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist with experience in pregnancy. Self-prescribing in pregnancy is dangerous.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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