Wu Mei Wan
Star乌梅丸 (Mume Pill)
Source: Shang Han Lun — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Wu Mei Wan (Mume Pill), from the Shang Han Lun (Discussion of Cold-Induced Disorders) by Zhang Zhong-Jing.
Actions: Warms the internal organs; Calms roundworms.
Presentation: Ascariasis with heat in the Stomach and cold in the Intestines: irritability, recurrent nausea and vomiting, vomiting of roundworms after eating, extremely cold hands and feet, abdominal pain; also chronic dysentery and diarrhea.
Cautions:
- For chronic dysentery/diarrhea only when cold and heat coexist with upright-qi deficiency; not for damp-heat dysentery or diarrhea
- Use with caution in pregnancy
Pharmacological effects reported:
- Antiparasitic: marked effect against roundworms by paralyzing their muscles and mobility (does not kill them), aiding expulsion
- Cholagogic: increases hepatic bile acid production and stimulates gallbladder contraction
- Antibiotic: many ingredients inhibit various micro-organisms
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1292.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wu Mei
as printed: Wu Mei (Fructus Mume) 300 pieces or 480g [30g]
|
30g | 35.71% | Jun (Chief) | sour; processed with vinegar to calm parasites |
|
Hua Jiao
chao (dry-fried) till aromatic; as printed: Hua Jiao, chao (dry-fried) till aromatic (Pericarpium Zanthoxyli) 120g [6g]
|
6g | 7.14% | Chen (Deputy) | acrid, warm; warms interior, dispels cold, suppresses parasite movement |
|
Xi Xin
as printed: Xi Xin (Radix et Rhizoma Asari) 180g [3g]
|
3g | 3.57% | Chen (Deputy) | acrid, warm; warms interior, suppresses parasites |
|
Huang Lian
as printed: Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis) 480g [6g]
|
6g | 7.14% | Chen (Deputy) | bitter, cold; clears Stomach heat, drains parasites downward |
|
Huang Bai
as printed: Huang Bo (Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis) 180g [6g]
|
6g | 7.14% | Chen (Deputy) | bitter, cold; clears heat, drains parasites downward |
|
Gan Jiang
as printed: Gan Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis) 300g [9g]
|
9g | 10.71% | Zuo (Assistant) | acrid, hot; warms interior, dispels Intestinal cold |
|
Gui Zhi
as printed: Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) 180g [6g]
|
6g | 7.14% | Zuo (Assistant) | acrid, hot; warms interior |
|
Zhi Fu Zi
pao (blast-fried); as printed: Fu Zi, pao (blast-fried) (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata) 180g [6g]
|
6g | 7.14% | Zuo (Assistant) | acrid, hot; warms interior, dispels cold |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) 180g [6g]
|
6g | 7.14% | Zuo (Assistant) | tonifies qi |
|
Dang Gui
as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 120g [6g]
|
6g | 7.14% | Zuo (Assistant) | tonifies blood |
Dui Yao — Core Herb Pairs
The classical two-herb combinations at the heart of this formula, as recorded on the herbs' own pages — each pair has an action neither herb has alone.
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 (+0.39)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 14%, neutral 36%, warm 32%, hot 18%.
Small but decisive: Huang Lian 6g (cold, 7% of the grams), Huang Bai 6g (cold, 7% of the grams), Zhi Fu Zi 6g (hot, 7% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 32%
- sweet 14%
- sour 36%
- bitter 18%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 82%
- Lung 64%
- Large intestine 50%
- Heart 50%
- Liver 50%
- Kidney 32%
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
Source text: steep Wu Mei overnight in 50% vinegar, pit and mash, sun-dry, mix and powder with the other herbs, form honey pills the size of Wu Tong Zi (~5 mm); take 10 pills [9g] three times daily on an empty stomach with warm water. Avoid cold, raw or spoiled foods. Today may be decocted at bracketed doses.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Shen Fu Tang + Wu Mei, Hua Jiao, Huang Bai, Huang Lian, Xi Xin, Dang Gui, Gan Jiang and Gui Zhi
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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