Wu Ji San: Treating Stomach Pain and Gastric Bleeding from Gastric Ulcer

Wu Ji San is composed of Wuzeigu (cuttlebone, Sepiae Endoconcha) and Baiji (Bletilla) in a 1:2 ratio. The two are ground together into a fine powder; take 3 g three times daily, two hours after meals. This formula suppresses acid and stops bleeding. Its indications are acid regurgitation and gastric bleeding caused by gastroduodenal ulcer disease. In the formula, Wuzeigu suppresses gastric acid; Baiji stops bleeding and repairs the ulcerated gastrointestinal mucosa.

Wu Ji San is an empirical formula developed by contemporary Chinese medicine practitioners. It has a simple composition and definite efficacy, and significantly resists gastric ulcer, stops bleeding and relieves pain. Sanqi Wu Ji San, made by adding Sanqi (Notoginseng) to Wu Ji San, has a good inhibitory effect on stress gastric ulcer; it shortens clotting time in mice and reduces their writhing movements, showing good hemostatic and analgesic action.

There is also a modified Wu Ji San composed of Wuzeigu, Baiji, Moyao (Myrrh), Yanhusuo (Corydalis), Guangmuxiang (Aucklandia), Huanglian (Coptis) and Kufan (dried alum) in the ratio 10:10:10:8:6:6:1, also derived from this formula. Modified Wu Ji San treats peptic ulcer better and can also relieve stomach pain caused by gastric cancer. Combining modified Wu Ji San with compound Banmao capsules and Xihuang Wan can treat esophageal or gastric cancer presenting with acid regurgitation, stomach pain and gastric bleeding.

This formula works better as a powder than as a decoction, because Wuzeigu and Baiji ground into a fine powder form a suspension that repairs the gastric mucosa better than a water decoction.