PERSICA & BIOTA FORMULA (VAR.)
Run Chang Wan
‘Moisten the Intestines Pill’
Source: Master Shen’s Book for Revering Life (Shen Shi Zun Sheng Shu, 1773)
Keywords
chronic constipation, postpartum constipation, dry stools
Ingredients
Prunus persica (Tao Ren, persica)
Prunus japonica (Yu Li Ren, Japanese cherry seed)
Biota orientalis (Bai
Zi Ren, biota seed)
angelica sinensis (Dang Gui)
Prunus armeniaca, (Xing Ren, apricot seed)
Major therapeutic action
Mild laxative for patients of weak constitution or with dry conditions.
Demulcent laxative.
Indications
* Chronic or habitual constipation in patients with signs of systemic dryness (dry skin, dry mouth and
throat, vaginal dryness, etc). This pattern commonly occurs in the elderly and postpartum women.
Key symptoms for use
* chronic constipation with dry, pellet like stools
* generalised dryness—skin, mucous membranes, hair, eyes
* thready pulse
* With severe symptoms of pale face and lips, blurred vision, dry hair, tiredness, poor memory, insomnia, scanty menses or amenorrhoea, a pale tongue, and a weak pulse, combine with Si Wu Tang.
* With malar flush, afternoon fever, feeling of heat in the palms and soles, night sweats, and red dry tongue with little or no coat, combine with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan.
* With severely depleted fluids, combine with Zeng Ye Tang.
* In long standing cases, it is common in the early stages of treatment to add Da Huang (rhubarb) to enhance the laxative effect of the formula. as the bowel movements become more regular, the dose of rhubarb should be gradually reduced and eventually discontinued or patients may habituate to it. The treatment can take some time in very chronic cases.
The typical dose when used alone is three grams twice daily before meals, however a certain amount of trial and error is usually required to find the right dose for each individual. In general, start with the standard dose and increase it until a smooth bowel movement is achieved, then gradually reduce the dose until a maintenance level is found that still achieves a satisfactory result.
Cautions and contraindications
None noted.
None noted.