Dahuang Zhechong Wan

About

Dahuang Zhechong Wan was first mentioned 1,850 years ago in Zhang Zhongjing’s classical formula primer for complex disorders, Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (Jingui yaolüe). More specifically, it appears as the last remedy in the important chapter on Deficiency Taxation and Blood Obstruction Disorders, alongside the well-known formulas Shenqi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill) and Suanzaoren Tang (Sour Jujube Decoction). The formula design is famous for its combination of “Blood cracking” medicinal insects (primarily classified as salty in the traditional material medica) and a variety of bitter roots and seeds with a heat clearing and moisturizing effect. Together, this highly unusual combination of herbs is designed to cool and moisturize the Heart and Kidney while reversing longstanding and potentially life-threatening microcirculation issues referred to as “dry Blood” obstruction (ganxue). While frequently prescribed in patent medicine form in China, true medicinal grade ingredients for this formula are hard to find, and scholars still argue about the proper ratio of certain key herbs in the remedy, especially rhubarb and leech. The inclusion of Dahuang Zhechong Wan in the Classical Pearls series of traditional remedies is a commitment to reproduce this rare but effective remedy as close as possible to the original source text, and make it available to the growing number of practitioners who specialize in the treatment of difficult and recalcitrant diseases with Chinese herbs.