Shu Gan Wan - Liver Comfort Pills

Herbal Formula Database

Shu Gan Wan Herbal Formula Classifications and Usages

The herbal formula "shu gan wan" , 舒肝丸, which in english is "liver comfort pills", is categorized within the "harmonize" functional grouping and within the "regulate and harmonize the liver and spleen" sub-category.

Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:

  • 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 caused by the liver invading the spleen.

Shu Gan Wan has some precautions to be considered (see our precautions list).

  • Use with caution with pregnancy.

Our shop contains shu gan wan from the following manufacturers:

($28.00) Add To Cart View Shu Gan Tang - Sun Ten
($9.99) Add To Cart View Shu Gan Wan - HBW

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. Shu Gan Wan is generally comprised of the following herbs:

ViewBai Shao (White Peony Root)

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 fo…

ViewChen Pi (Tangerine Peel)

Regulates Qi, improves transportive function of the spleen, relieves diaphragm - epigastric/abdominal distention, fullness, bloating, belching, nausea, vomiting (promotes movement of qi in general; …

ViewChuan Lian Zi (Sichuan Pagoda Tree Fruit)

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, reg…

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, …

ViewHou Po (Magnolia Bark)

Promotes movement of Qi, transforms dampness, resolves stagnation - dampness in spleen/stomach, food stagnation, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal distention (*important herb for this). Warms and transf…

ViewJiang Huang (Tumeric Rhizome)

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.…

ViewMu Xiang (Costus Root)

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 …

ViewSha Ren (Cardamon)

Transforms dampness, stops vomiting - nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea. Promotes movement of Qi, strengthens stomach. Calms the fetus, morning sickness. Prevents tonifying herbs from causing stagn…

ViewYan Hu Suo (Corydalis Rhizome)

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, epiga…

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. Shu Gan Wan is a candidate for consideration when needing to influence liver attacking the spleen, liver blood stagnation and/or liver qi stagnation.

Shu Gan Wan may potentially be used, in coordination with a well tailored overall approach, to influence the following conditions: abdominal pain, acid reflux disease (gerd) and/or hypochondriac pain

As noted above, shu 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…

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…

ViewYi Gan Wan (Restrain The Liver Powder)

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, digesti…

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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