BLACK GOLD FORMULA
Wu Jin Wan

 

 ‘Black Gold Pills’
Source: Experiential formula 

Keywords
menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis, irregular menstruation

Ingredients
|Solidago virdaurea (Liu Ji Nu)
Curcuma ezhu (e Zhu, curcuma)
Citrus reticulata (Qing Pi, immature citrus)
Citrus aurantium (Zhi Ke, aurantium)
Typhae angustifolia (Pu Huang, cattail pollen)
Artemesia vulgaris (Ai Ye, mugwort)
Cyperus rotundus (Xiang Fu, cyperus)
Angelica sinensis (Dang Gui)
Scutellaria baicalensis (Huang Qin, scute)
Cinnamomum cassia (Rou Gui, cinnamon bark)
Atractylodes macrocephala (Bai Zhu, atractylodes)
Zingiber officinalis (Gan Jiang, dry ginger)

Major therapeutic action
Moves energy, aids circulation of Blood, and warms the uterus.

Biomedical action
Emmenagogue, regulates menstruation, improves circulation, analgesic, relieves stagnation in the uterus

Indications
*  Feelings of fixed stabbing pain in the lower abdomen especially in women with additional symptoms of dysmenorrhoea, premenstrual tension, menses with dark blood and clots, amenorrhoea, immovable abdominal masses, and a tongue with a purple colouring. This formula is best for these patterns with a degree of cold (especially over the uterus) and feelings of weakness or lethargy, and because it has some tonic effect, it is suitable for prolonged use.
*  With the appropriate key symptoms this formula can be used to treat disorders such as dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, mittlesmertz, intermenstrual bleeding, infertility, fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, irregular menstrual cycle (especially long cycle), postpartum placental retention. It can also be used for prostatic swelling and masses.

Key symptoms for use
*  painful periods, localised pain that is worse when palpated, ovulation pain
*  pain is relieved with heat
*  dark menstrual blood with significant clotting
*  spider veins (naevi) around the instep of the foot and medially and inferiorly to the knee
*  purplish tongue, or with brown or purple patches on the edges

Combinations
*  With Blood stagnation masses, like endometriosis and fibroids, add San Leng & e Zhu.
*  For Phlegm masses, combine with Xiao Luo Wan.
*  With severe pain, add Jin Ling Zi San.
*  With low back pain, knee problems, lethargy, and frequent urination, add Xian Ling Pi & Xian Mao. 		Dosage
The typical dose is three grams twice daily, before meals. In severe cases or the early stages of treatment (the first two weeks), a 50-100% increase in dose may be used, then reduced as the treatment takes effect. The dose can be increased by 50-100% for one week prior to expected menstruation in severe cases. With significant clotting, the medicine should be taken through the period, with a little alcohol, such as a nip of vodka or brandy.

Cautions and contraindications
Caution in women who are very run down or fatigued. Adverse reactions are uncommon, however some women will experience heavier (and possibly more painful) periods once or twice.
Contraindicated during pregnancy and in women with menorrhagia without dark blood or clotting.

Differentiation
Dang Gui Shao Yao San: For mild dysmenorrhoea patterns with fluid metabolism problems. The pain is usually mild and vague, and may come towards the end of the period. Pain may be relieved with pressure.
Usually no clotting or only minor clotting.