Yueju Wan: a classic prescription for relieving stagnation

Yueju Pill is one of the classic prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine. It was created by Zhu Danxi, one of the four great masters of Jin and Yuan Dynasties. It is mainly used to regulate chest and diaphragm tightness, epigastric and abdominal distension and pain caused by the six depressions of qi, blood, phlegm, fire, dampness and food. This article will start from four dimensions: prescription composition, efficacy principle, clinical application and modern research, and analyze its value clearly. The core content revolves around the theme of "stagnation", emphasizing its overall regulating effect and avoiding deviation from the basic principles of syndrome differentiation and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine.

The composition and compatibility of the prescription are exquisite

Yueju Pills are composed of Cyperus rotundus, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Atractylodes rhizome, Shenqu, and Gardenia, respectively targeting Qi stagnation, blood stagnation, dampness stagnation, food stagnation, and fire stagnation. Cyperus rotunda is a monarch medicine that soothes the liver and relieves stagnation; Ligusticum chuanxiong activates blood and promotes qi, Atractylodes dries dampness and strengthens the spleen, Shenqu relieves food and induces stagnation, and Gardenia clears heat and purges fire. These four medicines work together to resolve various types of stagnation. Zhu Danxi put forward in "Danxi Heart Method": "Depressed people gather together but cannot escape." This prescription uses light and refreshing products to dredge the whole body's qi, embodying the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine of "taking relief as a tonic".

Efficacy principles and key points of syndrome differentiation

The core of this prescription is to "treat depression first and regulate Qi", and improve symptoms by restoring the balance of Qi movement. It is suitable for symptoms such as abdominal congestion, belching, distended flanks, bitter mouth, thick and greasy tongue coating, stringy and slippery pulse caused by poor mood and improper diet. Modern research shows that its active ingredients (such as cyperne and ligustrazine) have anti-inflammatory and regulating gastrointestinal motility effects. It should be noted that people with yin deficiency and excessive fire should use it with caution, and it should not be taken alone for a long time. It needs to be combined with the physical constitution to add or subtract compatibility.

Clinical application and modern validation

In diseases such as functional dyspepsia and mild depression tendencies, Yueju Pills are often used as a basic prescription. A clinical observation on 120 patients showed that the effective rate of the treatment group combined with Yueju Pills was 23% higher than that of the control group (see table below). In addition, its role in regulating autonomic nervous function has also been confirmed by animal experiments, providing scientific evidence for traditional efficacy.

Summary and usage suggestions

As a classic prescription for relieving depression, Yueju Pills embodies the characteristics of overall conditioning of traditional Chinese medicine, but it needs to be used under the guidance of a physician based on syndrome differentiation. Modern research provides some support for its traditional efficacy, but its scope of action should not be exaggerated. Daily maintenance can be combined with emotional guidance and dietary rules to achieve the ultimate goal of "relaxing the blood and making it orderly".

Quote sources:

1. Source of the prescription: Zhu Danxi's "Danxi Heart Method·Volume 3" 2. Clinical data reference: "Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine" Issue 8, 2021 3. Pharmacological research: The first batch of prescriptions included in the "Catalogue of Ancient Classical Prescriptions" of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine