Shu Gan Wan - Liver Comfort Pills -TCM Herbal Formula

Chinese Name: Shu Gan Wan
English Name: Liver Comfort Pills

Formula Category

Clinical Usage and Indications

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Related TCM Diagnostic Patterns


Staff Clinician Notes:

There are no staff notes at this time.

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Cautions and Contraindications:

None at this time.  As always consult with an acupuncturist/herbalist before use.

Related Western Medical Conditions:


Individual Chinese Herbs In This Formula:


  • Bai Shao
  • Herb Functions
    • Nourishes the blood and regulates menstrual problems due to blood deficiency (pale, lusterless complexion and nails) - menstrual dysfunction, vaginal discharge, uterine bleeding - very common herb for gynecological disorders (Si Wu Tang).
    • Calms liver yang, alleviates pain from constrained liver qi or disharmony between the liver and the spleen due to liver yang rising - cramping and spasms (limbs and abdomen), abdominal pain from dysentery, headache and dizziness.
    • Preserves yin, adjusts ying and wei levels - vaginal discharge and spermatorrhea, exterior wind-cold from deficiency with continuous sweating, spontaneous sweating, night sweats.

  • Contraindications
    • Incompatible with Li Lu
    • Avoid in cases of yang deficiency and cold in the middle jiao - diarrhea, cold sensation in the stomach.

  • Chen Pi
  • Herb Functions
    • Regulates Qi, improves transportive function of the spleen, relieves diaphragm - epigastric/abdominal distention, fullness, bloating, belching, nausea, vomiting (promotes movement of qi in general; specifically directing it downward - good for different types of nausea/vomiting).
    • Important herb for drying dampness and the transformation of phlegm - coughs with stifling sensation in the chest/diaphragm, and copious viscous sputum (qi-level herb).
    • Prevents stagnation - prevents cloying of tonifying herbs.
    • Ju Hong is the red part of the tangerine peel - it is more drying and aromatic.

  • Chuan Lian Zi
  • Herb Functions
    • Promotes the movement of Qi and stops pain - flank, rib, abdominal pain due to liver qi stagnation or liver-stomach disharmony; hernial disorders, good w/heat signs.
    • Clears heat, dries dampness, regulates qi, alleviates pain due to damp-heat stagnant qi - same symptoms as above.
    • Kills parasites and stops pain - roundworms and tape worms (primarily for pain).
    • Compare with Xia Ku Cao, Long Dan Cao, Zhi Zi for clearing liver heat function.

  • Fu Ling
  • Herb Functions
    • Promotes urination, drains dampness, transforms phlegm - urinary difficulty, diarrhea, edema, headache, dizziness, greasy tongue coat.
    • Strengthens the spleen, harmonizes the middle jiao - diarrhea, loss of appetite.
    • Quiets the heart and calms the spirit - palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness.

  • Contraindications
    • Avoid Vinegar While Using This Herb.

  • Hou Po
  • Herb Functions
    • Promotes movement of Qi, transforms dampness, resolves stagnation - dampness in spleen/stomach, food stagnation, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal distention (*important herb for this).
    • Warms and transforms phlegm and directs rebellious lung Qi downward - wheezing, phlegm with coughing, stifling sensation in the chest.

  • Contraindications
    • Avoid During Pregnancy

  • Jiang Huang
  • Herb Functions
    • Invigorate blood, unblock menses - chest and abdominal pain, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, pain and swelling due to trauma.
    • Promote the movement of Qi, alleviate pain - epigastric and/or abdominal pain.
    • Expel wind, promote movement of blood - wind damp painful obstruction w/blood stasis (particularly in the shoulders).

  • Mu Xiang
  • Herb Functions
    • Promotes the movement of Qi, alleviates pain - stagnant qi of the stomach and/or spleen causing lack of appetite, abdominal pain, distention, nausea; liver or gallbladder qi stagnation causing flank pain, distention.
    • Regulates stagnated Qi in the intestines - diarrhea, abdominal pain (common herb to treat tenesmus).
    • Strengthens the spleen and prevents stagnation, used with tonifying herbs to reduce side effects.

  • Sha Ren
  • Herb Functions
    • Transforms dampness, stops vomiting - nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea.
    • Promotes movement of Qi, strengthens stomach.
    • Calms the fetus, morning sickness.
    • Prevents tonifying herbs from causing stagnation. (See also Bai Dou Kou, Yi Zhi Ren)

  • Yan Hu Suo
  • Herb Functions
    • Invigorate blood, alleviate pain - pain from blood stasis and trauma, dysmenorrhea.
    • Promotes movement of Qi and alleviates pain - chest pain, abdominal pain, menstrual pain, hernial disorders, epigastric pain.

  • Contraindications
    • Avoid during Pregnancy.