The best prescription for gynecology: "Siwu Decoction"

Ancient Chinese medical texts record tens of thousands of classic prescriptions, many of which are still in use today, while some have been abandoned in accordance with changes in the times.

"Siwu Decoction" was first seen in "Secret Prescriptions for Treating Injuries and Suspensions" written by Lin Daoren in the late Tang Dynasty.

It was originally a prescription used to treat pain caused by traumatic blood stasis; in the Song Dynasty, the Taiping Huimin Hejiju Fang began to apply it to gynecological and obstetric diseases, and it became a basic prescription for blood tonification and menstruation regulation. Due to its remarkable effect in treating gynecological diseases, later generations of doctors called Siwu Decoction "the best prescription for gynecology" and "the holy medicine for women."

The origin of the name "Siwu Decoction"

"Cheng Fangbian Du" explains: "Things are of similar types. The four are similar but each has its own nature and function. In spring, angelica is grown to replenish the weak. In summer, Chuanxiong is grown to relieve depression. In autumn, peony is harvested to purge the full. In winter, Rehmannia is harvested to relieve urgency." That is to say, angelica is like the growth of spring, chuanxiong is like the nourishment of summer, white peony root is like the contraction of autumn, and rehmannia root is like the storage of winter. These four herbs correspond exactly to the four seasons of the year and give birth to all things, hence the name "Siwu Decoction".

Siwu Decoction is composed of four herbs: cooked rehmannia, angelica, chuanxiong, and white peony root.

Rehmannia root nourishes yin and blood, replenishes essence and benefits marrow; Chinese angelica root nourishes blood, harmonizes blood and regulates menstruation; white peony root nourishes blood and softens the liver; Chuanxiong promotes blood circulation and qi, and unblocks qi and blood; the four medicines are used together to replenish blood without stagnating it, regulate blood without damaging it, harmonize the blood, and have the effect of regulating menstruation and removing blood stasis.

When Siwu Decoction is used clinically, the dosage can be adjusted according to the symptoms.

For example, for the treatment of blood deficiency symptoms such as sallow complexion, pale lips and nails, and dry and easily falling hair, use more Rehmannia glutinosa and Angelica sinensis, and use less Ligusticum chuanxiong; for the treatment of blood stasis symptoms such as delayed menstruation, scanty menstruation, or even amenorrhea, use more Angelica sinensis and Ligusticum chuanxiong, and use less Rehmannia glutinosa and White Peony Root. In addition, Siwu Decoction has many derivative recipes: for example, when combined with peach kernel and safflower, it becomes Peach Red Siwu Decoction, which is mainly used to treat dark purple menstrual color, dysmenorrhea, and amenorrhea; when combined with donkey-hide gelatin, mugwort, and licorice, it becomes Jiao Ai Siwu Decoction, which is mainly used to treat bleeding due to deficiency and cold, menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, and threatened abortion; when combined with ginseng, poria, atractylodes, and licorice, it becomes Bazhen Decoction, which can replenish both Qi and blood; on the basis of Bazhen Decoction, if astragalus and cinnamon are added, it becomes the well-known Shiquan Dabu Decoction, which is especially powerful.

Siwu decoction can increase the number of red blood cells and improve the hemoglobin content

It has the effects of enhancing immune function and delaying aging. In clinical practice today, 10 grams of each of the four medicines can be used, added to 300 ml of water, boiled and simmered for 20 to 25 minutes, concentrated to 150 ml, and taken once a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, which can play a good health-care role. If the liver qi is not smooth, irritable, angry, dark complexion, or there are spots, you can also add 6 grams of rose and 3 red dates. In addition, you can also take a small amount of medicinal herbs and stew them with chicken or mutton at home, which is very suitable for female friends.

Things to note

This prescription has a warm nature and is not suitable for people with hot constitutions, as it may cause symptoms of getting angry, such as dry mouth and tongue. This prescription is also easy to nourish the spleen and stomach, so people with spleen deficiency and loss of appetite should use it with caution.