Gu Jing Wan — Stabilise the Menses Pill

On this page

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

Overview

Gu Jing Wan — the “Stabilise the Menses Pill” — is attributed to Zhu Dan-xi’s Yuan-dynasty Yi Fang Kao. It addresses heavy menstrual bleeding from Yin deficiency with rising deficient Heat that pushes the Blood out of the vessels. Distinguished from Spleen-Qi-deficient bleeding (use Gu Chong Tang) by: bright or dark red blood (not pale), shorter cycles, restlessness, irritability, dry mouth, red tongue. The formula nourishes Yin (Bai Shao), cools the deficient Heat (Huang Qin, Huang Bai), astringes the bleeding (Gui Ban, Xiang Fu Tan) and supports the Liver-Kidney axis.

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

TCM pattern

Gu Jing Wan is prescribed for Yin-deficient deficient-Heat heavy menstrual bleeding:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding, bright red or purplish dark
• Possibly with small clots
• Shorter menstrual cycle (often < 25 days)
• Restlessness, irritability
• Dry mouth, mild thirst
• Five-palm Heat, occasional flushes
• Tongue — red with scant coat
• Pulse — rapid, thin or wiry

Key herbs

1. Gui Ban (Plastrum Testudinis, 9–15g) — nourishes Yin; anchors the floating Yang; astringes leaking Blood
2. Bai Shao (Rx. Paeoniae Alba, 9–15g) — nourishes Liver Yin and Blood; softens the Liver
3. Huang Qin (Rx. Scutellariae, 6–12g) — clears Heat; cools Blood
4. Huang Bai (Cx. Phellodendri, 3–9g) — clears Kidney/lower-burner Heat
5. Chun Gen Pi (Cx. Ailanthi, 6–15g) — astringes Blood; specifically for uterine bleeding with Heat
6. Xiang Fu Tan (charred Cyperus, 3–9g) — spreads Liver Qi; helps stop bleeding from Blood-Heat with stagnation

Formula actions

1. Nourishes Yin and Blood
2. Clears deficient Heat from the Liver and Kidney
3. Astringes Blood; stops heavy menstrual bleeding

Conditions treated

1. Heavy menstrual bleeding from Yin-deficient Heat — see heavy periods
2. Short menstrual cycle with Yin-deficient pattern
3. Perimenopausal flooding with Yin-deficient Fire
4. Functional uterine bleeding with Heat pattern
5. Menstrual bleeding in hyperthyroid patients

Cautions

Heavy menstrual bleeding always warrants medical investigation to exclude fibroids, polyps, hyperplasia, malignancy or coagulation disorders.

Not appropriate for cold-pattern or Qi-deficient bleeding (use Gu Chong Tang or Ju Yuan Jian instead).

Sudden severe bleeding requires emergency care.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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