Size Yimu Wan: Regulating Menses and Relieving Pain, Promoting Urination and Reducing Distension

Size Yimu Wan is a contemporary empirical Chinese patent formula recorded in the National Collection of Chinese Patent Prescriptions (Jinan edition). No manufacturer currently produces it; it was probably once an in-hospital formula of some medical institution. Patients who find it suitable may prepare it themselves according to the recipe.

Its composition is: Yimucao (Leonuri Herba) 1 kg, Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) 500 g, Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma) 250 g, and Muxiang (Aucklandiae Radix) 250 g. Grind all into a fine powder and use refined honey as a binder to make pills—the size is up to personal preference. Take 9 g each time, twice a day, with warm boiled water. It may also be decocted as a tea; the adult dose is: Yimucao 30 g, Danggui 15 g, Chuanxiong 8 g, Muxiang 8 g.

This formula activates blood and regulates menses, moves qi and stops pain. It is indicated for menstrual abdominal pain with abdominal distension and fullness in the hypochondria. It can be used not only for dysmenorrhea in women, but also for edema and abdominal distension and fullness caused by kidney disease.

Yimucao, Danggui, and Chuanxiong all activate blood, resolve stasis, regulate menses, and stop pain; Yimucao additionally promotes urination and reduces swelling, and has good efficacy in kidney disease. Muxiang moves qi and resolves distension and is also a good diuretic. Beyond activating blood and relieving pain, the formula therefore has a solid diuretic effect and can be used as a diuretic for ascites and edema of the qi-stagnation blood-stasis type. For edema, Houpo (Magnoliae Cortex), Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Zhuling (Polyporus), Fuling (Poria), and Shiwei (Pyrrosiae Folium) may be added.