What are the safety considerations for Eight-Treasure Motherwort?

Not appropriate during acute illness with fever, TCM tradition warns against "tonifying during an external pathogen". Pregnant women should not use without qualified guidance, motherwort is described as moving blood and is generally avoided in early pregnancy. People taking blood-thinning medication should consult a clinician, the formula contains several blood-moving ingredients. Sudden changes in menstrual pattern, abnormal bleeding, or pelvic pain should be evaluated by a clinician, TCM tonics are not a substitute for gynecological assessment.

Eight-Treasure Motherwort

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A gynecological "bu-qi yang-xue, tiao-jing" (tonify qi and blood, regulate menstruation) formula from the Qing-dynasty "Golden Mirror of Medicine", the motherwort-augmented form of the classic Eight-Treasure decoction.

Cultural reference - how this formula has been discussed in Chinese medical tradition. Not medical advice.

Background & origin

Compiled in the Qing-dynasty imperial compilation "Golden Mirror of Medicine" (《医宗金鉴》, 1742), it is a famous "Eight-Treasure + motherwort" gynecological formula, the motherwort-augmented form of the classic Bazhen Tang. In Japan, the related prescription Kyukikyoaio-tō (芎帰膠艾湯) is sold by Tsumura (ツムラ) and other kampo makers for women's-health indications. In Korean hanbang, similar "기혈보약" women's-tonic preparations appear in Kyungdong's (경동) product line. The formula is, in short, one of the many TCM gynecological tonics that have been re-expressed in dedicated women's-product lines in Japan and Korea.

From the source text

This page is cultural documentation, not medical advice.

From the source text · 卷四十四·妇科心法要诀·调经门·八珍益母丸

Classical text

八珍汤加益母草，名八珍益母丸。治妇人气血两虚，月经不调，行经量少，淋漓不净，精神不振，肢体乏力。

Modern Chinese rendering

在八珍汤（"四君 + 四物"补气血基础方）基础上加益母草一味，是为八珍益母丸。用于妇人气血两虚所致的月经不调、行经量少、淋漓不净、精神不振、肢体乏力。这是《医宗金鉴》"妇科心法要诀"调经门中"补气血兼活血"思路下的代表方：八珍汤本为平补气血之祖方，加益母草一味"活血调经、利水消肿"，使全方由纯补转为"补中带活"，对应"气血两虚兼血瘀"所致的月经后期、量少、淋漓不净、神疲乏力，是中医妇科"补通兼施"治法的代表性方剂之一。

Editorial translation

Bazhen Tang (Eight-Treasure Decoction, the "Four Noble + Four Substance" qi-and-blood-tonifying base) with motherwort herb added is known as Bazhen Yimu Wan (Eight-Treasure Motherwort Pills). It addresses qi-blood dual deficiency patterns in women: menstrual irregularity, scanty menstrual flow, lingering bleeding, lack of spirit, and fatigue of the limbs. This is the canonical "tonify qi and blood, and simultaneously invigorate blood" formula in the gynecology section of the Golden Mirror of Medicine: the Bazhen base is the historical ancestor formula of balanced qi-and-blood tonification, and the addition of motherwort (Yì Mǔ Cǎo), which invigorates blood and regulates menstruation and also drains dampness to reduce swelling, transforms the formula from a pure tonic into a "tonic that also moves", corresponding to the "qi-blood dual deficiency with blood stasis" pattern of delayed menstrual cycle, scanty flow, lingering bleeding, and fatigue, and is one of the representative formulas of the "simultaneously tonify and move" treatment principle in TCM gynecology.

In tradition

In TCM framing, associated with "qi and blood deficiency" in the gynecological context, irregular menstruation, scanty flow, occasional lower-abdominal coldness, fatigue, pale complexion, and dizziness. The formula is essentially the "Four-Substance + Four-Noble" base (四物 + 四君) plus motherwort, making it a "tonic plus circulation" women's formula. In Japan, the closely related kampo idea appears as Kyukikyoaio-tō (芎帰膠艾湯) by Tsumura and other makers, and in Korean hanbang the formula family is reflected in Kyungdong's "여성보약" preparations.

Formula composition

Monarch1

Motherwort herb (Yì Mǔ Cǎo / 益母草)

Minister4

Rehmannia root, cooked (Shú Dì Huáng / 熟地黄)
White peony root (Bái Sháo / 白芍)
Angelica sinensis root (Dāng Guī / 当归)
Ginseng (Rén Shēn / 人参)

Assistant3

Chuanxiong rhizome (Chuān Xiōng / 川芎)
Atractylodes macrocephala (Bái Zhú / 白术)
Poria (Fú Líng / 茯苓)

Envoy1

Honey-fried licorice (Zhì Gān Cǎo / 炙甘草)

International availability

Japan (Kampo)

KracieクラシエOTC八珍益母丸Hasshin-yakumo-gan

Korea (Hanbang)

Kyungdong경동OTC팔진익모환Paljin-ikmo-hwan

Taiwan & Hong Kong

順天堂OTC八珍益母丸Ba Zhen Yi Mu Wan

Cautions & context

Not appropriate during acute illness with fever, TCM tradition warns against "tonifying during an external pathogen".
Pregnant women should not use without qualified guidance, motherwort is described as moving blood and is generally avoided in early pregnancy.
People taking blood-thinning medication should consult a clinician, the formula contains several blood-moving ingredients.
Sudden changes in menstrual pattern, abnormal bleeding, or pelvic pain should be evaluated by a clinician, TCM tonics are not a substitute for gynecological assessment.

Related formulas

Other formulas from this text· "Golden Mirror of Medicine"

Other formulas by this contributor· Imperial Medical Academy (Wu Qian, ed.)

Related concerns

Concern · womens-health

Women's Health

The cluster of complaints that Chinese households often frame around the menstrual cycle: premenstrual mood shifts, breast tenderness, irregular cycles, and post-partum recovery.

Editorial note

Compiled from "Golden Mirror of Medicine" (1739).

Last reviewed: July 18, 2026

Three layers of evidence

Classical source

≈ 300 years · "Golden Mirror of Medicine" (1739)

Pharmacopoeia indication

"Tonify qi and blood, regulate menstruation. Used for women with qi-blood dual deficiency: bodily weakness, menstrual irregularity, and menstrual pain."

Modern research status

As of 2026-07-18, a PubMed search using the formula name and the Latin / Korean / Japanese transliterations together with "systematic review" and "meta-analysis" did not identify a dedicated systematic review for this formula. Any clinical evidence that does exist is fragmented across small individual trials or covered in broad herbal-medicine umbrella reviews, which do not allow a per-formula evidence assessment; the absence of a dedicated SR is itself the relevant editorial fact here.

No systematic review identified on PubMed

Read our editorial method →

References

References reviewed on July 18, 2026 · PubMed search on 2026-07-18

01
ClassicalWu Qian (吴谦) et al. (eds.), 《医宗金鉴·妇科心法要诀》 (Yī Zōng Jīn Jiàn · Fù Kē Xīn Fǎ Yào Jué / Golden Mirror of Medicine · "Key Methods and Essentials of Gynecology"), Qing dynasty, completed 1742, vol. 44, the "menstrual regulation" section, the entry for Bā Zhēn Yì Mǔ Wán (Eight-Treasure Motherwort Pills) being the canonical text for the "tonify qi and blood, and simultaneously invigorate blood" gynecological formula, derived from Bā Zhēn Tāng (Eight-Treasure Decoction) by adding motherwort.
02
TextbookDuan Fuqin (段富津) et al. (eds.), 《方剂学》 (Fāngjìxué / Textbook of Formulas), Shanghai Scientific and Technical Publishers, 1995, the standard modern university-level formula textbook in mainland China, with Bā Zhēn Yì Mǔ Wán analysed as the representative "tonify qi and blood + invigorate blood" gynecological formula for the "qi-blood dual deficiency with blood stasis" pattern of menstrual irregularity, scanty flow, and lingering bleeding.
03
PharmacopoeiaChinese Pharmacopoeia Commission, 《中华人民共和国药典》 2020 年版一部 (Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Yàodiǎn, Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, 2020 Edition, Vol. I), China Medical Science Press, 2020, the official monograph for Bā Zhēn Yì Mǔ Wán dosage forms, with the "functional indications" reading "益气养血, 活血调经" (tonify qi and nourish blood, invigorate blood and regulate menstruation).

Important Notice

The information on PCMWiki is for general educational and cultural reference only. It is not medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, nor as a substitute for professional care.

Throughout this site, phrases such as "traditionally used for" or "in TCM tradition, often associated with" describe how a formula has been discussed within the Chinese medical tradition over centuries. They are cultural and historical descriptions, not claims that the product is effective, safe, or appropriate for any particular condition.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking prescription medication, managing a chronic condition, or considering any of these remedies for a child, please consult a qualified healthcare practitioner familiar with both Chinese and Western medicine before use. Stop use and seek care if you notice any unexpected reaction.

Last reviewed: July 18, 2026.