Zhou Che Wan
Star舟车丸 (Vessel and Vehicle Pill)
Source: Jing Yue Quan Shu (992)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Zhou Che Wan (Vessel and Vehicle Pill), from the Jing Yue Quan Shu, is used to activate Qi movement; promote bowel movement and urination to eliminate water accumulation.
Presentation: water accumulation that will eventually generate heat.
Syndrome: Syndrome of water accumulation.
Composition strategy:
- Chief herbs kept at minimal dose; large Qian Niu Zi plus Da Huang secure the effect within a safe range.
- Water is carried out via bowels and urine 'like a vessel and vehicle', hence the name.
Cautions:
- Many poisonous, harsh substances: only for acute, truly necessary cases, very short-term, by experienced practitioners.
Source: Yang Y. Chinese Herbal Formulas: Treatment Principles and Composition Strategies. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2010, p. 68.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hong Da Ji
toxic mark * in source; as printed: Da Ji (Knoxiae radix)
|
30g | 9.01% | Jun (Chief) | strongly drives out congested water |
|
Gan Sui
toxic mark * in source; as printed: Gan Sui (Euphorbiae kansui radix)
|
30g | 9.01% | Jun (Chief) | strongly drives out congested water |
|
Yuan Hua
toxic mark * in source; as printed: Yuan Hua (Genkwa flos)
|
30g | 9.01% | Jun (Chief) | strongly drives out congested water |
|
Da Huang
as printed: Da Huang (Rhei rhizoma)
|
60g | 18.02% | Chen (Deputy) | enhances the chief herbs within a safe dose range |
|
Qian Niu Zi
toxic mark * in source; as printed: Qian Niu Zi (Pharbitidis semen)
|
120g | 36.04% | Chen (Deputy) | large amount enhances the chief herbs so they can stay at minimal dose |
|
Qing Pi
as printed: Qing Pi (Citri reticulatae viride pericarpium)
|
15g | 4.5% | Zuo (Assistant) | activates Qi to speed water movement |
|
Chen Pi
as printed: Chen Pi (Citri reticulatae pericarpium)
|
15g | 4.5% | Zuo (Assistant) | activates Qi to speed water movement |
|
Bing Lang
as printed: Bing Lang (Arecae semen)
|
15g | 4.5% | Zuo (Assistant) | activates Qi to speed water movement |
|
Mu Xiang
toxic mark ** in source; as printed: Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae radix)
|
15g | 4.5% | Zuo (Assistant) | activates Qi to speed water movement |
|
Qing Fen
assistant and envoy; toxic mark * in source; as printed: Qing Fen (Calomel)
|
3g | 0.9% | Zuo (Assistant) | drains water directly |
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 cool (-1.19)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 73%, warm 27%.
Pairs warm and cool. 27% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 73% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Small but decisive: Hong Da Ji 30g (cold, 9% of the grams), Gan Sui 30g (cold, 9% of the grams), Qing Fen 3g (cold, 1% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 37%
- sweet 5%
- bitter 59%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Large intestine 82%
- Lung 68%
- Kidney 64%
- Spleen 45%
- Stomach 32%
- Liver 23%
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
Powder and form into water pills; take 3-6g with warm water on an empty stomach in the early morning. May be repeated at reduced dose 1-2 days later only if the patient remains strong; otherwise take only once.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 91.
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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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