BLACK PEARL BP019 RUN CHANG WAN LINUM & RHUBARB

RUN CHANG WAN
潤腸丸
Linum & Rhubarb Formula
Product Code: BP019

TCM Actions
Moistens the Intestines, regulates the Qi and unblocks the bowels

Indications
Constipation (acute or chronic).

Dosage & Course Of Treatment
8 pills, 3 times daily, half to one hour away from food.

Course of treatment: 1 – 2 weeks for acute conditions; 3 months or more for chronic conditions.

Signs and Syndromes
Dryness of the Intestines Qi stagnation in the Stomach and Intestines

Constipation

Dry, hard stools

Abdominal distension with discomfort

Dry lustreless skin

Pale or sallow complexion

Dry tongue that may also be pale

Thready and wiry pulse

Cautions & Contraindications
Not to be taken during pregnancy

Comments
This formula is a variant of the formula that was originally devised by Li Gao (a.k.a. L. Dong-yuan), and first appeared in his ‘Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach’ (pi wei lun), 1249. This formula was directed towards Blood stasis and Wind (or Wind- Damp) invasion of the Intestines, in addition to Intestinal Dryness. However, the former two pathologies are rarely seen in association with constipation. The formula was subsequently revised by Shen Jin-ao (a.k.a. Shen Qian-lu) some 500 years later, appearing in his book ‘Master Shen’s Book for Revering Life’ (shen shi zun sheng shu), 1773.This newer version of Run Chang Wan omitted Notopterygium (qiang huo) and included Citrus fruit (zhi ke) to regulate the Qi, and Rehmannia root (sheng di huang) to nourish the Kidney Yin-Essence and Blood in order to moisten the Intestines. This is more in keeping with the contemporary TCM approach to constipation, which describes four main factors in its pathogenesis:

• Dryness of the Intestines (which may be secondary to excess Heat or Fire, deficiency Fire, Blood deficiency or deficiency of the Kidney Yin-Essence)

• Qi stagnation (which may be secondary to Liver Qi constraint or Liver Blood deficiency)

• Qi deficiency For these reasons the Black Pearl formula is closer to the later version. It has been enhanced with the addition of Trichosanthes fruit (gua lou), Biota seed (bai zi ren), and Trichosanthes seed (gua luo zi), which promote laxation by moistening the Intestines and regulating the Qi. In addition, Rehmannia root (sheng di huang) has been replaced with Morus fruit (sang shen) which enriches the Kidney and nourish the Blood, in order to moisten and harmonise the intestines. This herb also has a mild laxative action.

Ingredients
TRICHOSANTHES KIRILOWII, FRUIT (gua lou) – 瓜蔞 – 62.4 mg
CITRUS AURANTIUM, FRUIT (zhi ke) – 枳殼 – 49.9 ma
BIOTA ORIENTALIS, SEED (bai zi ren) – 柏子仁 – 49.9 mg
LINUM USITATISSIMUM, SEED (ya ma zi) – 亞麻子 – 49.9 mg
ANGELICA POLYMORPHA, ROOT (dang-gui) – 當歸 – 49.9 mg
MORUS ALBA, FRUIT (sang shen) – 桑椹 – 41.2 mg
TRICHOSANTHES KIRILOWII, SEED (gua lou zi) – 瓜蔞子 – 37.4 mg
RHEUM PALMATUM, ROOT & RHIZOME (da huang) – 大黃 – 37.4 mg