Yi Gan Wan - Restrain The Liver Powder
Herbal Formula Database
Yi Gan Wan Herbal Formula Classifications and Usages
The herbal formula "yi gan wan" , 抑肝散, which in english is "restrain the liver powder", is categorized within the "harmonize" functional grouping and within the "regulate and harmonize the liver and spleen" sub-category.
You may also see this formula referenced by: Liver Repressing Formula, Bupleurum Formula.
Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:
- Anxiety, palpitations, easily frightened, alternating fevers/chills; heat from deficiency in the liver.
- Originally designed for Children who had issues such as anger, fright, fevers, insomnia, digestive issues, etc. from liver blood - used in modern times due to modern lifestyles.
- May show epigastric issues such as bloating, possibly with vomiting of mucus.
For many reasons such as availability, ecological choices, and/or price, each manufacturer or herbalist may well adjust the exact composition of a specific formula. Yi Gan Wan is generally comprised of the following herbs:
ViewBai Zhu (Atractylodes (White) Rhizome)
Tonifies the spleen, augments qi, dries dampness - diarrhea, fatigue, lack of appetite, vomiting, edema. Stabilizes the exterior and stops sweating - spontaneous sweating due to qi deficiency. Calm…
ViewChai Hu (Thorowax Root, Bupleurum)
Clears shao yang disorders and reduces fever - alternating chills and fever, bitter taste in the mouth, irritability, vomiting, stifling sensation in the chest. Relieves liver qi stagnation (often u…
ViewChuan Xiong (Szechuan Lovage Root)
Invigorate blood, promote movement of Qi - any blood stasis pattern, important for gynecological issues (amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, difficult labor, lochioschesis). Expels wind and alleviates pain - …
ViewDang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root)
Tonifies the blood, regulates menses - pallid, ashen complexion, tinnitus, blurred vision, palpitations, irregular menses, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea. Invigorates/harmonizes the blood, disperses cold …
ViewFu Ling (Poria, China Root)
Promotes urination, drains dampness, transforms phlegm - urinary difficulty, diarrhea, edema, headache, dizziness, greasy tongue coat. Strengthens the spleen, harmonizes the middle jiao - diarrhea, …
A single formula, alone, may not be sufficient to fully address a particular TCM diagnostic pattern. Formulas may be used alone, in combinations, and/or in stages. Yi Gan Wan is a candidate for consideration when needing to influence liver blood deficiency.
Yi Gan Wan may potentially be used, in coordination with a well tailored overall approach, to influence the following conditions: abdominal pain, anxiety, digestive issues, epigastric pain, epilepsy (seizure), fear, generalized anxiety disorder (gad) and/or insomnia
Our clinical staff have made the following notes, regarding yi gan wan.
- May be most useful when taken before bedtime.
- As it is a relatively mild formula may also be combined (for example) with other shen calming formulas such as tian wan bu xin wan or strengthening formulas such as bu zhong yi qi wan, among many other possibilities, as appropriate.
As noted above, yi gan wan is within the harmonize functional group. And it appears within the sub-category "regulate and harmonize the liver and spleen", which contains the following formulas:
ViewChai Hu Shu Gan Wan (Bupleurum Powder to Spread the Liver)
Liver qi stagnation signs - hypochondriac tension, abdominal pain, IBS symptoms Alternating chills and fever.
ViewDa Bu Gan Wan (Major Liver Nutrition Pills)
Brittle nails, yellowing of the skin (jaundice). Abdominal cramping, distension or pain in the hypochrondia due to liver qi stangation Fatty liver, hepatitis and other liver diseases.
ViewJiang Ya Wan (Repress The Blood Pressure Pills)
Hypertension particularly with ascendent yang and heat signs - red face, red tongue, headaches, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, etc.
ViewJia Wei Gui Pi Wan (Augmented Restore The Spleen Decoction)
A combination of jia wei xiao yao wan and gui pi wan - similar effects but with more spleen qi and blood tonification. A range of stress related issues - essentially mixes of stagnation with underly…
ViewJia Wei Xiao Yao Wan (Free and Easy Wanderer Pills)
Derived from the base formula, xiao yao wan, an important formula for liver qi stagnation with herbs added to clear heat. Liver qi stagnation - menstrual issues, painful cycles, irregular cycles, br…
ViewPian Tou Tong Wan (Migraine Pills)
Headaches and/or migraines caused by liver yang or liver fire rising.
ViewPing Gan Liu Qi Yin Wan (Dang Gui And Pinellia Combination)
Liver qi stagnation with blood deficiency heat - signs of heat, red eyes, possibly anxiety and/or irritability, etc. along with digestive issues such as gastritis, cirrhosis, cholecystitis, hernia.…
ViewShao Yao Gan Cao Wan (Peony and Licorice Decoction)
Cramping and/or muscle spasms that are due to fluid deficiency. Frozen shoulder, trigger finger. General tightness or cramps especially along the tendons or ligaments. Restless leg syndrome for pa…
ViewShu Gan Wan (Liver Comfort Pills)
Abdominal and/or Hypochondriac pain, cramps or spasms resulting from liver qi stagnation. Alternating chills and fever. Nausea, bloating, acid reflux, alternating stools, or IBS like symptoms cause…
ViewSi Ni San Wan (Frigid Extremities Powder Pills)
Important formula for liver qi stagnation - manifesting as moodiness, depression, cold in the extremities (particularly hands and/or feet), possibly along with other stress signs - mild headaches, te…
ViewTong Xie Yao Fang Wan (Important Pills for Painful Diarrhea / Calm Wind Pills)
Diarrhea, particularly with abdominal cramping. Diarrhea with alternating constipation.
ViewXiao Chai Hu Tang Wan (Minor Bupleurum Decoction)
Shao Yang Syndrome (or "lesser yang stage") - alternating fever and chills, hypochondriac pain, irritability, bitter taste in mouth, poor appetite, nausea. Often used for illnesses (chronic or short…
ViewXiao Yao Wan (Free and Easy Wanderer)
Depression, anxiety, loss of motivation - resulting from liver qi stagnation. Fatigue, bloating, changes in appetite from the combination of spleen qi deficiency with liver qi stagnation. PMS, brea…
All formulas in the primary category of "harmonize" are listed below.
(truncated intro "...this group of formulas is for internal conditions involving the lesser yang stage of disease (alternating fever and chills). generally thes…)".
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