When the Qi of the abdomen struggles to descend
An abdomen that feels full and sluggish, heaviness that settles in after meals, intestinal comfort that varies when travelling or with the slightest change of routine, a rather dry mouth and skin… In TCM, these signs may be associated with Qi that stagnates in the centre and no longer descends, often combined with Dryness that deprives the Large Intestine of the Fluids it needs. According to tradition, the Lung and the Large Intestine are paired: when Lung Qi descends well, that of the Large Intestine follows.
The name Run Chang Wan has been given to several formulas. The best known is the work of Li Dongyuan (李东垣), one of the four great masters of the Jin and Yuan dynasties, in the Pi Wei Lun (《脾胃论》), the ‘Discourse on the Spleen and Stomach’. Our Run Chang Wan is very different: it takes none of its herbs and brings together three simple ingredients, apricot kernel, tangerine peel and white peony, which are found in other classical formulas.
Bring down, moisten, soften
The three herbs share the work. Tangerine peel, which makes up nearly half of the formula, gets the Qi of the centre moving again; apricot kernel, rich in oil, helps Lung Qi descend and moistens the Large Intestine; white peony nourishes Blood and Yin and brings suppleness.
Promotes intestinal comfort: Apricot kernel links the upper and lower body: by helping Lung Qi descend, it accompanies, according to tradition, the Qi of the Large Intestine, which it moistens along the way.
Supports the flow of Qi: Aromatic and slightly bitter, tangerine peel moves the Qi of the Spleen and Stomach and helps lighten the feeling of a full abdomen.
Helps ease dryness: White peony, sweet and sour, nourishes Blood and Yin; with the oil of apricot kernel, it gives back to the Large Intestine the suppleness that Dryness takes away.
