Jia Wei Xiao Yao San / Bupleurum and Peony Formula / EaseTonic Plus™

When confronted by stress or loss, we react by holding-in the Qi of the chest.

Depression, anxiety, insomnia, and many other 'mental' problems are not diseases in themselves, but are symptoms evolving from emotional constraint in the chest.  All are relieved by 'opening the chest' in order to free emotional constraint.

Since the 11th century, variations of XIAO YAO SAN (Rambling Powder) have been the goto remedy for this pattern, known as Liver Qi Stagnation.

This is the origin of Liver Qi Stagnation, usually diagnosed as depression.

All stagnations lead to friction which causes 'Heat'.  Stagnant chest qi thus causes Heat in the Heart and Liver creating symptoms of anxiety, restlessness, mood swings and sometimes insomnia.

JIA WEI XIAO YAO SAN Ingredients

Safety and Contraindications of JIA WEI XIAO YAO SAN

• Use with caution during pregnancy.
• Contraindicated for those with underlying Deficiency and Cold.

Pregnant and nursing women should consult their healthcare provider before using any supplement.

Most formulas are designed for use by practitioners. If you are not a practitioner, self-prescribing is not recommended. To insure the best outcome, and to minimize any chance of side effects, we urge you to start an E-mail Consultation or TeleVisit now.

Dosage of JIA WEI XIAO YAO WAN

Tablets: Take 5 tablets or pills each time, 2 to 3 times daily. The dose may be doubled for a quicker and stronger response as needed (e. g., with heavy body weight).

Capsules: 2-4 Capsules, 2-3 times a day

Granules: 2-4 grams, taken 2-3 times a day, best on an empty stomach

Whole Herbs: Commonly, Chinese herbs are boiled for 20 - 40 minutes, the dregs are strained out and the "tea" is taken warm or at room temperature. Boiling times are averaged according to the composition of the formula. Flower and leaf will yield medicine in 5 -20 minutes. Roots take 20 to 40 minutes; Shells and minerals must cook for at least one hour. A few herbs, like mint which is one of the herbs in this formula must be quick-boiled for only 1-5 minutes lest they loose their valuable volatile oils. These herbs are added separately to the boiling mixture just before completion. 

Using a container made of ceramic, glass, or stainless steel (no aluminum, iron or copper) boil 1 packet of herbs in 2-3 quarts of water for until 2 cups of medicine remain. Add the BO HE (mint) 3 minutes before boiling is complete. Strain herbs; save and refrigerate for a second boiling. Drink 1 cup in the AM. And 1 cup in the PM. If desired, repeat the following day, using the saved herbs from the refrigerator.

• Information is for educational purpose and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your healthcare provider. These statements have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
  

JIA WEI XIAO YAO WAN Safety & Side Effects

• Use with caution during pregnancy.
• Contraindicated for those with underlying Deficiency and Cold.

Pregnant or nursing women should consult their health care provider before taking any supplement.

Traditional Chinese Medicine is powerful and reliable, but it can be complex. As TCM is not based on symptoms alone, self-diagnosis and self-treatment aren't recommended. Best to start a Tele-Visit or email-herbal-consultation.

FAQ

What is the difference between Jia Wei Xiao Yao San and Xiao Yao San?

This is one of the most common questions online. The answer is that Jia Wei Xiao Yao San adds Mu Dan Pi and Zhi Zi to the original formula to address Heat. 

What Does "Jia Wei" Mean?

The Chinese words "Jia Wei" (加味) literally mean "with added ingredients" or "augmented." In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the term indicates that a classic herbal formula has been modified by adding one or more herbs to better address a specific pattern of disharmony.

In the case of Jia Wei Xiao Yao San, the original formula Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer) is enhanced by adding Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Bark) and Zhi Zi (Gardenia Fruit). These two herbs help clear Heat that develops when Liver Qi Stagnation persists over time.

As a result, Jia Wei Xiao Yao San is often chosen when the signs of Liver Qi Stagnation are accompanied by symptoms of Heat, such as irritability, frustration, hot flashes, facial flushing, restless sleep, or a tendency to become easily angered.

The name Jia Wei Xiao Yao San is sometimes translated as "Augmented Free and Easy Wanderer Powder" or "Augmented Rambling Powder," emphasizing that it is the classic Xiao Yao San formula with additional herbs to expand its therapeutic action

Is Jia Wei Xiao Yao San good for menopause?

Jia Wei Xiao Yao San is one of the most frequently prescribed Chinese herbal formulas for women experiencing menopausal symptoms.

Women with this pattern may experience hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, breast tenderness, headaches, restless sleep, or a sensation of heat in the face and upper body. In these cases, Jia Wei Xiao Yao San is traditionally used to soothe the Liver, regulate the flow of Qi, nourish the Blood, and clear excess Heat.

Not every woman going through menopause has the same TCM diagnosis. Some women have Kidney Yin Deficiency, others have Kidney Yang Deficiency, Heart and Kidney Disharmony, or other patterns that require different herbal formulas. For this reason, choosing the correct formula is more important than treating the symptom alone.

We recommend selecting Chinese herbal formulas based on an individualized TCM diagnosis to ensure the treatment matches your specific pattern of imbalance and provides the best possible results.

Can men take Jia Wei Xiao Yao San?

Absolutely. Although Jia Wei Xiao Yao San is often associated with women's health, it was never intended to be a formula for women only. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), herbal formulas are prescribed according to a person's pattern of disharmony, not their gender.

Men who have the TCM pattern of Liver Qi Stagnation with Heat may benefit from Jia Wei Xiao Yao San. Typical signs include irritability, frustration, emotional stress, headaches, muscle tension, digestive upset, poor sleep, a feeling of tightness in the chest or ribs, or symptoms that worsen during periods of stress.

The formula works by helping to soothe the Liver, promote the smooth flow of Qi, nourish the Blood, and clear excess Heat. It is commonly prescribed for both men and women when these TCM patterns are present.

How long does it take to work?

The answer depends on the condition being treated, how long the problem has been present, and how closely the formula matches your Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis.

Some people notice improvements in symptoms such as irritability, stress, digestive discomfort, or sleep within a few days to two weeks. More chronic conditions, including long-standing PMS, menopausal symptoms, or emotional imbalances, may require one to three months of consistent use before significant improvement is seen.

In TCM, the goal is not simply to suppress symptoms but to restore balance to the body's underlying pattern of disharmony. When the correct formula is selected, improvement is often gradual and continues over time as normal function returns.

If you have been taking Jia Wei Xiao Yao San for several weeks without noticeable improvement, it may be because your TCM pattern has been incorrectly identified. Many conditions that appear similar can have very different underlying causes and require different herbal formulas. This is why a proper TCM diagnosis is so important.

What is Liver Qi Stagnation?

Liver Qi Stagnation is one of the most common patterns diagnosed in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It occurs when the Liver is no longer able to maintain the smooth flow of Qi, the body's vital energy. 

Emotional stress is one of the most common causes of Liver Qi Stagnation. Frustration, anger, worry, prolonged tension, or unresolved emotions can interfere with the Liver's ability to regulate the movement of Qi. Poor diet, lack of exercise, chronic illness, and hormonal changes may also contribute.

Common symptoms include irritability, mood swings, anxiety, frequent sighing, tightness in the chest or ribs, headaches, neck and shoulder tension, abdominal bloating, indigestion, PMS, irregular or painful menstrual periods, and a sensation of having a "lump in the throat." Because the smooth flow of Qi has been disrupted, pain may occur. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, poor flow is considered the fundamental cause of pain.

* Information is for educational purpose and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your healthcare provider. These statements have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.