Wen Jing Tang — Warm the Menses Decoction

On this page

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

Overview

Wen Jing Tang — Warm the Menses Decoction — is the classical Chinese herbal formula for warming the Chong and Ren channels (the Sea of Blood and the Conception Vessel, which govern menstruation and fertility in TCM) and simultaneously nourishing Blood when Cold has obstructed these channels in the context of Blood deficiency. Originating from Zhang Zhongjing’s Jin Gui Yao Lue, it is one of the most important formulas in TCM gynaecology, combining warming, tonifying and Blood-moving actions to address the complex mixed pattern of Cold obstruction with Blood deficiency and Blood stasis.

TCM pattern

Prescribed for Cold obstructing the Chong and Ren channels with Blood deficiency and Blood stasis, characterised by: irregular menstrual cycle, scanty or profuse menstruation, menstrual blood that is pale or dark with clots, cold abdomen and lower back, mild afternoon fever, hot palms and soles (paradoxical heat from Blood stasis), dry lips, a pale or purple-tinged tongue, and a thin, rough or slightly wiry pulse.

Key herbs

1. Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia rutaecarpa fruit) — warms the Liver and Chong channels; disperses Cold and relieves pain
2. Gui Zhi (Cinnamomum cassia twigs) — warms the channels and invigorates Blood circulation in the Chong and Ren
3. Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis root) — nourishes and invigorates Blood; essential in all gynaecological Blood deficiency formulas
4. Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong rhizome) — invigorates Blood and moves Qi; relieves pain from Blood stasis
5. Bai Shao (Paeonia lactiflora root) — nourishes Blood and alleviates cramping pain
6. E Jiao (Equus asinus hide gelatin) — nourishes Blood and Yin; stops bleeding; a key Blood-tonifying substance in gynaecology
7. Mu Dan Pi (Paeonia suffruticosa bark) — clears Blood Heat and invigorates Blood; addresses the paradoxical heat
8. Ren Shen (Panax ginseng root) — tonifies Qi to support Blood production
9. Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon japonicus root) — nourishes Yin to provide the fluid base for the warming and moving actions

Conditions treated

1. Irregular menstrual cycle from Cold obstruction and Blood deficiency of the Chong and Ren
2. Dysmenorrhoea (painful periods) with cold lower abdomen relieved by warmth and Blood clots
3. Infertility from Cold uterus and Blood deficiency — one of the most important fertility formulas in TCM gynaecology
4. Abnormal uterine bleeding from Blood deficiency and Cold
5. Perimenopausal menstrual irregularity with the mixed cold-heat, deficiency-stasis pattern

Contraindicated in pregnancy and in Heat patterns or excess Blood stasis without Cold.

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.