WU ZHU YU TANG

Warm the Liver & Stomach • Descend Rebellious Qi • Stop Pain

Symptoms

Vertex Headache: Intense pain at the very top of the head (Bai Hui point) or behind the eyes, reflecting the Liver channel's path.

Persistent Vomiting: Nausea, dry heaves, or vomiting of clear fluids/frothy saliva immediately after eating or drinking.

Severe Cold Signs: Cold limbs (hands and feet), an intense aversion to cold, and a feeling of "inner shivering."

Epigastric Distress: A heavy, cold, or cramping pain in the upper abdomen that is relieved by a heating pad.

Key Indicator: "Liver & Stomach Cold Rebellion"—where the "Fire" of the Middle Burner has gone out, causing the Qi to "freeze" and then surge upward in an attempt to escape the cold.

Tongue: Pale and swollen with a moist, white coating.

Pulse: Deep (Chen), Wiry (Xuan), and Slow (Chi).

Ingredients

Wu Zhu Yu (Evodiae Fructus)

Raw Herbs: 24g | Granules: 33.8g

Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix)

Raw Herbs: 9g | Granules: 12.7g

Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens)

Raw Herbs: 18g | Granules: 25.3g

Da Zao (Jujubae Fructus)

Raw Herbs: 20g | Granules: 28.2g

Description

Wu Zhu Yu Tang is a small but incredibly potent formula. It doesn't just "warm" the body; it acts as an anchor for a chaotic system.

The Liver-Stomach Connection: When the Liver is cold, it "attacks" the Stomach. Since the Stomach's natural job is to send Qi downward, this attack causes the Qi to reverse and head upward toward the head and throat.

The "Vertex" Specialist: Because the Liver channel is the only one that reaches the very top of the head, this formula is the primary choice for "Top-of-the-head" migraines that are triggered by cold weather or cold food.

High-Dose Ginger: The massive dose of fresh ginger is critical—it "thaws" the Stomach so that the other herbs can be absorbed without being vomited back up.

Posology

Granules

3 to 9g daily, divided into 2–3 doses. For acute vomiting, small sips taken frequently are better than one large dose.

Raw Plants

Decoct in 800ml of water. Traditionally, it is recommended to drink the decoction warm to assist the herbs in dispelling the internal "ice."

Cautions

STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED for Heat patterns. If the headache is accompanied by a red face, thirst, or a yellow tongue coating, this formula will act like "adding oil to a fire." It is also not suitable for Yin Deficiency (dryness). Because Wu Zhu Yu is very hot and slightly toxic in large doses, it should only be used as long as the cold symptoms are present.