Guo Qi Yin
Star过期饮 (Delayed Menstruation Decoction)
Source: Zheng Zhi Zhun Sheng — Wang Ken-Tang (1602)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Guo Qi Yin (Delayed Menstruation Decoction), from the Zheng Zhi Zhun Sheng (Standards of Patterns and Treatments) by Wang Ken-Tang.
Actions: Activates qi and blood circulation; Removes qi stagnation and blood stasis; Regulates the menstrual cycle.
Presentation: Irregular menstruation caused by qi and blood stagnation: delayed or scanty menstruation, dark purplish menstrual flow with clots, lower abdominal distention and pain that increase with pressure and decrease with passage of clots, swelling and edema of the lower extremities, oppression in the chest and epigastrium, a dry mouth, and a red or dark purple tongue body.
Cautions:
- Contraindicated during pregnancy
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 578.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Shu Di Huang
as printed: Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata) 6g
|
6g | 16.53% | Jun (Chief) | Si Wu Tang component: tonifies and activates blood, regulates menses |
|
Dang Gui
as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 6g
|
6g | 16.53% | Jun (Chief) | Si Wu Tang component: tonifies and activates blood, regulates menses |
|
Chuan Xiong
as printed: Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) 3g
|
3g | 8.26% | Chen (Deputy) | Si Wu Tang component: tonifies and activates blood, regulates menses |
|
Tao Ren
as printed: Tao Ren (Semen Persicae) 1.8g
|
1.8g | 4.96% | Chen (Deputy) | activates blood and removes stasis (synergistic pair with Hong Hua) |
|
Hong Hua
as printed: Hong Hua (Flos Carthami) 2.1g
|
2.1g | 5.79% | Chen (Deputy) | activates blood and removes stasis |
|
E Zhu
as printed: E Zhu (Rhizoma Curcumae) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 4.13% | Chen (Deputy) | activates qi and blood, eliminates qi and blood stagnation |
|
Bai Shao
as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 6g
|
6g | 16.53% | Zuo (Assistant) | Si Wu Tang component: tonifies and activates blood, regulates menses |
|
Xiang Fu
as printed: Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi) 6g
|
6g | 16.53% | Zuo (Assistant) | activates qi and blood, eliminates qi and blood stagnation |
|
Mu Tong
as printed: Mu Tong (Caulis Akebiae) 1.5g
|
1.5g | 4.13% | Zuo (Assistant) | activates qi and blood, eliminates qi and blood stagnation |
|
Rou Gui
as printed: Rou Gui (Cortex Cinnamomi) 1.2g
|
1.2g | 3.31% | Zuo (Assistant) | warms Spleen and Kidney, dispels cold, relieves pain |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 1.2g
|
1.2g | 3.31% | Zuo (Assistant) | harmonizes the herbs |
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 slightly warm (+0.33)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 4%, cool 17%, neutral 25%, warm 51%, hot 3%.
Small but decisive: Mu Tong 1.5g (cold, 4% of the grams), Rou Gui 1.2g (hot, 3% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 32%
- sweet 38%
- sour 8%
- bitter 23%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Liver 93%
- Spleen 60%
- Heart 38%
- Kidney 20%
- Lung 14%
- Pericardium 8%
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
Cook in 2 bowls of water down to 1 bowl; take warm and strained before meals.
Relationships
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Formula family
Each entry reads as the larger formula written out: “+” adds its other catalogue cores, then the herbs none of them hold. A catalogue formula counts as a core only when at least 80% of its herbs are present, no more than 1 is absent, and the absent herb is not its chief.
Formula Network
Formulas that share herbs with this one — the closer to the centre, the stronger the match. Click a node to explore.
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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