Cyperus and Peony (Shu Gan Wan) is my “go-to” formula stress-induced digestive problems especially when there is pain. You know, when you have a big test or you have to visit unpleasant relatives and your stomach mysteriously starts hurting.

The (Chinese) Liver is very sensitive to emotions and when the Liver doesn’t move that free flowing “qi/energy” it can attack the (Chinese) Spleen and Stomach system and can cause pain there. This can happen even when you aren’t conscious of anger or being upset. Only that you aren’t happy or facing unpleasant things.

So you can remember when you have had stress and/or bloating that may lead to pain.”Stress-induced” can also mean “hormonal” or PMS, anything coincidental with the time just before or during a woman’s period.

Someone wrote me asking the difference between Chai Hu Shu Gan Wan and Shu Gan Wan. This is what I wrote back:

Thanks for asking. It is a bit confusing because there are many variations of Shu Gan Wan and they can vary. The two we carry and you mentioned both have Chai Hu in them. Both are for helping the stomach feel better. “Shu Gan Wan” translates as “smooth the liver”. The liver in this case represents mental stress which is causing problems for the stomach. 

Ingredients

Chai Hu 柴胡 hare’s ear root, thorowax root, bupleurum Radix Bupleuri [caution]

• Regulates the qi, you can think of this as the enteric (digestive) nervous system.

Bai Shao Peony Alba

• Bai Shao is often used with Chai Hu above to “soften the liver” and mediate some of the effects of the strength of Chai Hu.

Fo Shou 陳皮 citrus Medica

• This regulates intestinal movement and dries excess fluids in the intestines.

Zhi Shi 枳殼 Citrus Aurantii Fructus

• Like Chen Pi above, this regulates the movements of the intestines to address bloating or constipation.

Xiang Fu 香附 cyperus, nut-grass rhizome Cyperi Rhizoma

• Another qi regulator to make sure that the intestinal contents don’t get stagnated and turn in to gas or dampness.

Yu Jin Curcuma Longa

• Another qi regulator that can stop pain, calm the emotions and soothe the liver.

Yan Hu Suo -Corydalis

• This herb stops pain.

Bai Dou Kou Ammonmum Aromaticum.

• As it’s latin name suggest Bai Dou Kou is aromatic and lifts turbidity from the Spleen/ Stomach system which tends to get bound by stress.]

Gan Cao 甘草 licorice root Radix Glycyrrhizae [caution]

• This licorice root is added to the formula for two reasons.

1. It harmonizes and softens the effects of the other herbs in the formula to prevent harsh reactions or side-effects.
2. It also gently supports the digestion to keep the digestion working well.