Understanding Liu Shen Wan: Traditional Uses and Formulations
Liu Shen Wan, often translated as "Six Spirits Pills," is a renowned Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula with a long history of diverse applications. This article explores its traditional uses, ingredients, preparation methods, and various historical formulations found in classic texts.
Traditional Uses and Preparation of Liu Shen Wan (General Formula)
Ingredients: Mu Xiang (wood ear), Huang Lian (Coptis root, beard removed), Shen Qu (medicated leaven, stir-fried), Chuan Lian Zi Rou (Sichuan chinaberry fruit flesh), Wu Yi (elm fruit), Mai Nie (malt sprout, stir-fried). All in equal parts.
Preparation Method: The above ingredients are ground into a fine powder. This powder is then mixed with heated castrated pig's bile and formed into pills, each approximately the size of a mung bean.
Administration: Take 30-40 pills per dose, neither on an empty nor a full stomach.
Functions and Indications of Liu Shen Wan (General Formula)
Primary Indications: Traditionally used to treat various forms of infantile malnutrition (pediatric malnutrition syndrome).
Different Formulations of Liu Shen Wan
It's important to note that throughout history, different Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners developed their own versions of "Liu Shen Wan" for varied purposes, often sharing the name but differing significantly in composition and indications. Below are several prominent historical formulations:
Liu Shen Wan - Formulation 1 from "Lei Yun Shang Song Fen Tang Fang"
Prescription: Pearl powder (Zhen Zhu Fen) 4.5 grams, Calculus Bovis (Xi Niu Huang) 4.5 grams, Musk (She Xiang) 4.5 grams, Realgar (Xiong Huang) 3 grams, Toad Venom (Chan Su) 3 grams, Borneol (Bing Pian) 3 grams.
Preparation Method: Each ingredient is ground into a fine powder. The Toad Venom is dissolved in wine and then mixed thoroughly with the other powders. The mixture is formed into pills the size of a mustard seed, coated with carbonized herb ash (Bai Cao Shuang).
Functions and Indications: Clears heat and detoxifies, reduces inflammation and relieves pain. It is used to treat sore throat or ulcers, diphtheria, tonsillitis, oral sores (canker sores), carbuncles, furuncles, and boils.
Administration and Dosage: Take 5-10 pills per dose, two to three times daily. It can also be applied externally.
Precautions: Pregnant women should use with caution.
Please note: This formula contains potent ingredients like Realgar (Xiong Huang) and Toad Venom (Chan Su), which are toxic. Consultation with a qualified TCM practitioner is essential before use.
Source: Excerpt from "Lei Yun Shang Song Fen Tang Fang"
Liu Shen Wan - Formulation 2 from "Huo Ren Fang" Volume 4
Prescription: White Atractylodes rhizome (Bai Zhu) 8 liang, Nutmeg (Rou Guo, roasted with flour) 2 liang, Schisandra fruit (Wu Wei Zi, dry-fried) 1 liang, Poppy capsule (Su Ke, stir-fried with vinegar) 2 liang, Psoralea fruit (Bu Gu Zhi, stir-fried with salt) 4 liang, Cinnamon bark (Rou Gui) 1 liang, Evodia fruit (Wu Zhu Yu, soaked in boiling water, dried, then stir-fried with vinegar) 1 liang.
Preparation Method: Prepared into pills using a vinegar paste.
Functions and Indications: Prolonged use can strengthen the spleen and stomach's digestive and absorptive functions, consolidate kidney Qi, harmonize the ascent of Yang and descent of Yin, and promote healthy fluid metabolism. Primarily indicated for five types of chronic diarrhea, especially those incessant day and night with uncontrollable loose stools, accompanied by profound exhaustion of vital energy and a withered appearance.
Administration and Dosage: Take 2-3 qian per dose, on an empty stomach, accompanied by ginger decoction.
Source: Excerpt from "Huo Ren Fang" Volume 4
Liu Shen Wan - Formulation 3 from "Hou Ke Xin Fa" Volume 2, citing Lei Yun Shang's formula
Prescription: Western Realgar (Guan Xi Huang) 1 qian 5 fen, high-quality Cinnabar (Shang Chen Sha, specifically mirror-split cinnabar) 1 qian 5 fen, refined Toad Venom (Du Chan Su, dissolved in spirits) 1 fen 5 li, coarse Pearl (Cu Zhen Zhu) 1 fen 5 li, Musk (Dang Men Zi) 1 fen 5 li, carbonized herb ash (Bai Cao Shuang) 5 fen.
Preparation Method: The above ingredients are ground into a fine powder. Made into pills the size of a mustard seed with rice paste, then coated with carbonized herb ash. Store in a porcelain bottle, ensuring no air leakage.
Functions and Indications: Treats seasonal epidemic pathogenic toxins, severe sore throat with redness (scarlet throat), acute laryngitis and pharyngitis, throat abscesses, and unilateral or bilateral tonsillitis. Also effective for furuncles, boils at opposing sites, carbuncles on the back, intestinal and abdominal carbuncles, mastitis, severe breast masses, and all types of unidentified toxic swellings. For acute infantile convulsions caused by phlegm, severe wheezing and asthma due to wind-phlegm in the lungs, especially in critical conditions.
Administration and Dosage: Take 5, 7, or 10 pills depending on the severity of the illness. For those unable to consume tea or soup, take 10 pills, dissolve in boiled water, and swallow slowly. For severe cases, repeat the dose.
This formula also contains Realgar (Guan Xi Huang) and refined Toad Venom (Du Chan Su), potent substances that require professional guidance due to their toxicity. Pregnant women should strictly avoid this formula.
Source: Excerpt from "Hou Ke Xin Fa" Volume 2, citing Lei Yun Shang's formula
Liu Shen Wan - Formulation 4 from "Yao Lian Qi Mi"
Prescription: Calculus Bovis (Xi Huang) 1 qian 5 fen, Pearl (Lian Zhu) 1 qian 5 fen, Musk (She Xiang) 1 qian 5 fen, refined Toad Venom (Du Chan Su, dissolved in wine) 1 qian 5 fen.
Preparation Method: The above ingredients are powdered and made into pills the size of a mustard seed with rice paste, then coated with carbonized herb ash.
Functions and Indications: Treats all kinds of carbuncles, furuncles, phlegm, and toxic swellings.
Administration and Dosage: Take 5 fen per dose.
As with other formulations, this formula includes potent ingredients like refined Toad Venom (Du Chan Su). It is crucial to consult a qualified TCM practitioner before considering its use.
Source: Excerpt from "Yao Lian Qi Mi"
Liu Shen Wan - Formulation 5 from "Qing Nang Mi Chuan"
Prescription: Frankincense (Ru Xiang) 1 qian, Myrrh (Mo Yao) 1 qian, Bear bile (Xiong Dan) 1 qian, 3 Carp gallbladders (Li Yu Dan), Sal Ammoniac (Nao Sha) 1 qian, Dog bezoar (Gou Bao) 1 qian, Realgar (Yuan Cun) 5 fen, 49 pieces of White Silkworm excrement (Bai Ding Xiang), Centipede (Wu Gong) 3 qian, Gamboge (Huang Zhan) 3 qian, 1 ge of first-born male's breast milk (Tou Tai Nan Ru), Bezoar (Yao Huang) 1 qian, Scouring powder (Sao Pen) 1 qian, true Western Bezoar (Zhen Xi Huang) 1 qian, White powder frost (Bai Fen Shuang) 3 qian, refined Toad Venom (Du Su) 2 qian, Ujin stone (Wu Jin Shi) 1 qian.
Preparation Method: Each of the above medicines is processed into a pure fine powder. The carp gallbladders and gamboge are melted and used to form the pills.
Functions and Indications: Treats seasonal epidemic warm toxins, severe sore throat with redness (scarlet throat), acute laryngitis and pharyngitis, throat abscesses, and unilateral or bilateral tonsillitis. Also for furuncles, boils at opposing sites, carbuncles on the back, intestinal and abdominal carbuncles, mastitis, severe breast masses, and all types of unidentified toxic swellings. For acute or chronic infantile convulsions, especially in critical conditions.
Administration and Dosage: Take 10 pills per dose, dissolved in boiled water. For severe cases, repeat the dose.
This comprehensive formula contains multiple strong ingredients including Bear Bile, Toad Venom (Du Su), and Realgar (Yuan Cun). It is extremely potent and should only be used under the direct supervision and prescription of a highly experienced TCM practitioner.
Source: Excerpt from "Qing Nang Mi Chuan"
Liu Shen Wan - Formulation 6 from "Pu Ji Fang" Volume 391, citing "Bao Ying Fang"
Prescription: Aloe vera (Lu Hui) 3 qian, Areca nut (Da Bing Lang) half liang, Dragon's Blood (Xue Jie, ground separately) half liang, Quisqualis fruit (Shi Jun Zi, finely crushed separately) half liang, Nutmeg (Rou Dou Kou, roasted in flour until cooked, discard flour) half liang, Zedoary rhizome (Jing San Leng) 1 liang.
Preparation Method: All ingredients except Zedoary rhizome are ground into a fine powder. One black chicken is cleaned with its entrails removed. The Zedoary rhizome is placed inside the chicken's belly, sewn up, and boiled until cooked. The chicken meat is discarded, and the Zedoary rhizome is sliced, dried, and then ground into a fine powder along with the other medicines. The mixture is then formed into pills the size of millet with jujube paste.
Functions and Indications: Primarily for children suffering from chronic spleen dysfunction leading to emaciation, yellowish complexion, abdominal distension, and possibly intestinal parasites (worms), where other medications have been ineffective.
Administration and Dosage: Take 30-50 pills per dose, on an empty stomach or before meals, accompanied by warm rice soup, twice a day. Alternatively, it can be taken with Gleditsia seed decoction.
Precautions: Avoid all meat, hard-to-digest, and cold foods.
Source: Excerpt from "Pu Ji Fang" Volume 391, citing "Bao Ying Fang"
Liu Shen Wan - Formulation 7 from "Gu Jin Ming Fang," citing Lei Yun Shang's formula
Prescription: Pearl powder (Zhen Zhu Fen) 4.5g, Calculus Bovis (Xi Niu Huang) 4.5g, Musk (She Xiang) 4.5g, Realgar (Xiong Huang) 3g, Toad Venom (Chan Su) 3g, Borneol (Bing Pian) 3g.
Preparation Method: Each ingredient is ground into a fine powder. The Toad Venom is dissolved in wine and then mixed thoroughly with the other powders. The mixture is formed into pills the size of a mustard seed, coated with carbonized herb ash.
Functions and Indications: Clears heat and detoxifies, reduces inflammation and relieves pain. It is used to treat sore throat or ulcers, diphtheria, tonsillitis, oral sores (canker sores), carbuncles, furuncles, boils, and infantile high fever with convulsions. Currently, it is also being explored for use in throat cancer.
Administration and Dosage: Take 5-10 pills per dose, two to three times daily. It can also be applied externally.
Precautions: Pregnant women should use with caution.
As with Formulation 1, this version of Liu Shen Wan contains potent and potentially toxic ingredients such as Realgar (Xiong Huang) and Toad Venom (Chan Su). It should only be used under the guidance of a qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner.
Source: Excerpt from "Gu Jin Ming Fang," citing Lei Yun Shang's formula
Your Health in Focus: A Quick Self-Check & Immediate Steps
If you're experiencing sudden, severe sore throat accompanied by fever or difficulty swallowing, and suspect an acute inflammatory condition, then it's crucial to seek professional medical advice. Immediately try gargling with warm salt water for temporary relief and schedule a consultation with a healthcare provider or a qualified TCM practitioner to discuss appropriate diagnostic and treatment options.
References
These references provide insight into the anti-inflammatory properties, toxicology, and clinical applications of Liu Shen Wan, supporting its traditional uses with modern research.
Liu Shen Wan exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting NF-ΞΊB signaling pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. PMID: 29471373
Toxicological studies of Liu Shen Wan in rats. PMID: 25523491
Clinical study of Liu Shen Wan combined with Western medicine for acute tonsillitis in children. PMID: 29334800
For informational purposes only. Please consult a qualified practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) before use.
