Gu Chong Tang
Star固冲汤 (Stabilize Chong Meridian Decoction)
Source: Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu (1918-1934)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Gu Chong Tang (Stabilize Chong Meridian Decoction), from the Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu, is used to strengthen the Middle-Jiao and stop uterine hemorrhage due to Spleen-Qi deficiency.
Presentation: heavy menstrual bleeding with thin, light-colored blood; palpitations; shortness of breath; tongue: pale; pulse: thready and weak.
Syndrome: Syndrome of abnormal discharge.
Composition strategy:
- Treats cause and manifestation of bleeding from Spleen-Qi deficiency
- Qian Cao Gen shows how to prevent stagnation caused by astringents
Source: Yang Y. Chinese Herbal Formulas: Treatment Principles and Composition Strategies. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2010, p. 198.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bai Zhu
as printed: Bai Zhu (Atractylodis macrocephalae rhizoma)
|
30g | 18.69% | Jun (Chief) | large dose; tonify Spleen-Qi to control blood |
|
Huang Qi
as printed: Huang Qi (Astragali radix)
|
18g | 11.21% | Jun (Chief) | tonify and ascend Qi, stop bleeding |
|
Bai Shao
as printed: Bai Shao Yao (Paeoniae radix lactiflora)
|
12g | 7.48% | Chen (Deputy) | sour; tonify Liver blood and Yin |
|
Shan Zhu Yu
as printed: Shan Zhu Yu (Corni fructus)
|
24g | 14.95% | Chen (Deputy) | large dose; stabilize blood and stop bleeding |
|
Long Gu
as printed: Duan Long Gu (calcined Mastodi fossilium ossis)
|
24g | 14.95% | Zuo (Assistant) | astringent, stop bleeding |
|
Mu Li
as printed: Duan Mu Li (calcined Ostrea concha)
|
24g | 14.95% | Zuo (Assistant) | astringent, stop bleeding |
|
Hai Piao Xiao
as printed: Wu Zei Gu (Sepiae seu sepiellae os)
|
12g
typical 5–10g
|
7.48% | Zuo (Assistant) | astringent, enhance stopping bleeding |
|
Zong Lu Pi
as printed: Zong Lü Tan (charred Stipulae trachycarpi fibra)
|
6g | 3.74% | Zuo (Assistant) | astringent, enhance stopping bleeding |
|
Qian Cao Gen
corrective assistant; as printed: Qian Cao Gen (Rubiae radix)
|
9g | 5.61% | Zuo (Assistant) | stop bleeding yet promote circulation and remove congealed blood |
|
Wu Bei Zi
replaces Yang's printed Wu Wei Zi (a misprint per Yang's own analysis, Chen and Qiao); Chen: mixed into the decoction just before ingestion
|
1.5g | 0.93% | Zuo (Assistant) | astringes to stop bleeding |
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net neutral (+0.17)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 7%, cool 22%, neutral 19%, warm 52%.
Pairs warm and cool. 52% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 29% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Small but decisive: Qian Cao Gen 9g (cold, 6% of the grams), Wu Bei Zi 1.5g (cold, 1% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- sweet 36%
- sour 19%
- bitter 22%
- salty 23%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Liver 69%
- Kidney 53%
- Spleen 49%
- Heart 36%
- Stomach 26%
- Lung 22%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
Decoction; cook the two calcined minerals first for about an hour; powder wu bei zi, divide in two and take with the strained decoction.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 443.
Relationships
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Formula Network
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Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
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