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Chinese Medicinal Material
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【Chinese Name】 |
烏梅丸
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【Phonetic】 |
Wu Mei Wan
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【English Name】 |
Mume Pill |
【Classification】 |
Vermifuge formulas |
【Source】 |
《Treatise on Cold Damage》Shang Han Lun《傷寒論》 |
【Combination】 |
Mume Fructus (Wu Mei) 300 pieces (480g), Asari Radix et Rhizoma (Xi Xin) 6 liang (180g), Zingiberis Rhizoma (Gan Jiang) 10 liang (300g), Coptidis Rhizoma (Huang Lian) 16 liang (480g), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui) 4 liang (120g), Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata(Zhi Fu Zi) 6 liang (180g), Zanthoxyli Pericarpium (Hua Jiao) 4 liang (120g), Cinnamomi Ramulus(Gui Zhi) 6 liang (3g), Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma(Ren Shen) 6 liang (180g), Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex (Huang Bai) 6 liang (180g) |
【Method】 |
Steep the wu mei in vinegar overnight. After steeping, remove the kernel and mash it up. Mix all of the ingredients together and dry them. Once dry, grind the mixture into powder and make pills with honey. Take one 9g dose two or three times daily on an empty stomach with warm water. |
【Action】 |
Calms roundworms and relieves pain. |
【Indication】 |
Wu Mei Wan is used for syncope due to roundworms. The symptoms include paroxysmal pain of the abdomen and stomach cavity, vexatious vomiting, vomiting after eating, vomiting roundworms, cold limbs, and chronic diarrhea or dysentery. |
【Pathogenesis】 |
The pattern of syncope due to roundworms that Wu Mei Wan treats is caused by a complicated condition referred to as cold and heat in complexity. When there is deficiency cold in the intestines, roundworms become restless and begin to migrate upwards in search of warmth. Roundworms prefer warmth and have an aversion to cold; hence the saying, “roundworms are restless with cold and relaxed with warmth”. They live in the intestines, drill into tissues and harass the upper body. Therefore, cold and heat in complexity may cause roundworms to become restless and lead to paroxysmal pain in the abdomen and stomach cavity, vexatious vomiting and vomiting of roundworms. The pain is intermittent because symptoms appear when the roundworms become restless and disappear when they are relaxed. Severe pain typically results in counterflow and disordered qi movement leading to poor communication between the yang and yin, cold limbs and syncope. The cold and heat in complexity and deficiency of zheng qi also leads to chronic diarrhea and dysentery. |
【Application】 |
1. Essential pattern differentiation Wu Mei Wan serves as both a common and representative formula applicable for syncope due to roundworms and the condition of cold and heat in complexity. This clinical pattern is marked by paroxysmal abdominal pain, vexatious vomiting, vomiting of roundworms, cold limbs. 2. Modern applications This formula may be used in the following biomedically defined disorders when the patient shows signs of cold and heat in complexity, and deficiency of qi and blood: biliary ascariasis, intestinal ascariasis, chronic bacillary dysentery, chronic gastroenteritis, and colitis. 3. Cautions and contraindications This formula should be applied for excessive cold patterns because it is predominantly warm. Avoid raw, cold and malodorous food during the course of treatment. |
【Additonal formulae】 |
1. Li Zhong An Hui Tang (Center-Regulating and Ascaris-Calming Decoction 理中安蛔湯) [Source]《Categorized Patterns with Clear-cut Treatments》Lei Zheng Zhi Cai《類證治裁》 [Ingredients] Ren shen 3 qian, bai zhu 1.5 qian, fu ling 1.5 qian, hua jiao 14 pieces, wu mei 3 pieces, gan jiang (scorched black) 1.5 qian [Preparation and Administration] Prepare it as a decoction. [Actions] Warms the center and calms roundworms. [Applicable Patterns] Yang qi deficiency of the middle jiao, abdominal pain due to roundworms. 2. Lian Mei An Hui Tang (Picrorhizae and Mume Ascaris-Calming Decoction 連梅安蛔湯) [Source]《Popular Guide to the Treatise on Cold Damage》Tong Su Shang Han Lun《通俗傷寒論》 [Ingredients] Hu huang lian 1 qian, hua jiao (fried) 10 pieces, lei wan 3 qian, wu mei 2 pieces, huang bai 8 fen, bing lang 2 pieces [Preparation and Administration] Prepare it as a decoction. [Actions] Clears heat and calms roundworms. [Applicable Patterns] Heat constraint of the liver and stomach, abdominal pain due to roundworm accumulation. |
【Remark】 |
Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II. Its trade is allowed but subject to licensing controls. |
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