Shou Tai Wan — Fetus Longevity Pill

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

Shou Tai Wan — the “Fetus Longevity Pill” — was created by Zhang Xichun (1860–1933), one of the great modern integrators of Chinese and Western medicine, in his Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu. It is a simple but profoundly effective four-herb formula for threatened miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage from Kidney deficiency.

Zhang Xichun’s insight was that the Kidney (and specifically Kidney Essence) is the foundation of pregnancy. When the Kidney is insufficient, the embryo lacks the substrate to take firm hold and miscarriage threatens. The formula nourishes Kidney Essence (Tu Si Zi, Sang Ji Sheng), nourishes Yin and Blood (He Shou Wu, Bai Shao) and astringes the leakage of bleeding (Xu Duan).

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

TCM pattern

Shou Tai Wan is prescribed for threatened miscarriage from Kidney deficiency:

• Threatened miscarriage with light spotting or bleeding
• Lower back ache — particularly worse with standing
• Sense of fetal “sinking down” in the pelvis
• Cold lower body, cold feet
• History of recurrent miscarriage
• Tongue — pale to normal, white coat
• Pulse — thin, weak at proximal positions, possibly slippery (pregnancy)

Key herbs

1. Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta chinensis, 120g) — chief; tonifies Kidney Yang and Essence; specifically safeguards the fetus
2. Sang Ji Sheng (mulberry mistletoe, 60g) — tonifies Liver-Kidney, strengthens ligaments, safeguards pregnancy
3. Xu Duan (teasel root, 60g) — tonifies Kidney and stops bleeding
4. He Shou Wu + Bai Shao (combined Blood-Yin tonic, ~60g) — nourish Blood and Yin and help stop the leakage

Formula actions

1. Tonifies Kidney
2. Safeguards the fetus
3. Stops uterine bleeding
4. Strengthens the lumbar region

Conditions treated

1. Threatened miscarriage with Kidney deficiency — see miscarriage
2. Recurrent miscarriage — prophylactic use from confirmation of pregnancy through the first trimester
3. Subchorionic haematoma in early pregnancy
4. Cervical insufficiency (alongside obstetric care)
5. IVF early pregnancy support after embryo transfer
6. Lumbar pain in early pregnancy

Comparisons with related formulas

• Tai Shan Pan Shi San — for threatened miscarriage from Qi-Blood deficiency.
• Modified Ai Ye + Blood-tonic combinations — for threatened miscarriage with Blood deficiency bleeding.
• Zuo Gui Wan — broader Kidney Yin tonification (not specifically a pregnancy formula).

Cautions

Threatened miscarriage requires obstetric assessment — ultrasound, beta-hCG levels and clinical examination.

Severe pain or heavy bleeding in early pregnancy is a medical emergency — call 999 or attend A&E.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist with experience in pregnancy.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.