Relaxed Wandered - Xiao Yao Wan
Xiao Yao Wan — Relaxed Wanderer
Xiao Yao Wan, Hsiao Yan Wan, Shao Yao Wan, Rambling Powder, Relaxed Wanderer, Free and Easy Wanderer, are all names for one a very old, very commonly used herbal combination in Chinese medicine. The formula appears in the Tai Ping Huimin He Ji Ju Fang from the Song Dynasty(1070-1085 AD). The text is regarded as the first written collection of medicinal combinations in the world.
Most every Chinese herbal company will have a version of it, and most Chinese herbalists will carry Xia Yao Wan, and likely a modification or two.
I even give a pet version, Kan’s Happy Wanderer, to my cat Diego when he gets a little to angsty, huffs at me and plays to rough with his sister. His Wood and Earth element are bit out of balance.
Xiao Yao Wan is a harmonizing formula
Harmonizing formulas are used when patterns are out of balance, but you aren’t battling an acute pathogen such as a cold, flu or virus. In Chinese medicine, during times of health we focus on helping the Qi, Blood and fluids move, we tonify, regulate and harmonize. They can usually be taken for long periods of time with dosing that varies depending on the severity of disharmony. For example, I may recommend a teenage girl take a low dose of Xiao Yao Wan the first few days before her cycle when she may have a bit of PMS, breast distention, sugar cravings, and emotional ups and downs. Another woman’s patterns may need her to take it daily for months. A man with a lot of GERD and acid reflux might use it regularly or when symptoms pop up.
In the Control Cycle (the star) Wood can over control Earth causing acid reflux, gas, bloating.
One of the best ways to understand Xiao Yao Wan is through the lens of 5 Element theory. Relaxed Wanderer harmonizes Wood (Liver and Gallbladder) and Earth (Stomach and Spleen). Wood is responsible for the free and easy flow of Qi, Blood and Fluids, while Earth rules digestion, and transformation and transportation.
In the chart you can see a line between Wood to Earth — you can correlate this to your diaphragm. Ruled by the Wood element, the diaphragm can become a literal wall or barrier that doesn’t allow for free and easy flow. It can cut off Qi to Earth or invade it, overwhelming it and causing friction and tension in the diaphragm. Wood invading Earth is one of the most common disharmonies in our society. Now your digestion gets screwed up. It also overheats Fire, now you can’t sleep. If it is deficient in Blood we will see Blood deficiency and anemia.
When Liver Qi, Blood and Fluids are abundant and smooth flowing we plan well, we adjust to changes and bend like bamboo when situations arise. We are patient and benevolent. We chillax.
When Liver Qi is stagnant we are irritable, grumpy, frustrated, angsty to angry and volatile. Times of frustration and stress can stagnate Liver Qi, and it is very visible right now with the state of our nation. Check out Breaking Through Stagnation.
I go into great detail on Liver and Spleen’s role in women’s cycles in the Intro To Women’s Course.
Both the Liver and Spleen are involved in Blood creation and management and therefore play a huge role in women’s cycles.
Wood energy corresponds with Spring and it starts to move fast in the spring. It can either move gracefully or in entangled fits and starts. I am often recommending Xiao Yao Wan more this time of year.
Xiao Yao Wan - The formula
Eight simple herbs combine in this beautifully harmonizing formula.
Chai Hu (Bupleurum) — spreads Liver Qi, soothes Liver
Bai Shao (White Peony) — nourishes Liver Blood, soothes the Liver
Dan Gui (Tangkuei) —nourishes Blood, nourishes the Liver, regulates menses
Fu Ling (Poria) — tonifies the Middle Burner —that’s where your Spleen, Stomach, and Gallbladder hang out…think digestive powerhouse.
Bai Zhu (Atractylodes) — tonifies the Middle Burner
Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) — warms the Middle Burner
Bo He (mint) — soothes the Liver
Gan Cao (Licorice) —tonifies and harmonizes the Middle Burner
Such a lovely formula — it’s very beneficial in all the major watershed phases of women’s cycles from menarche, the high fertility years, to perimenopause and menopause. A modified form, Jia Wei Xiao Yao Wan, includes Mu Dan Pi and Gardenia, to provide more Blood nourishing and Yin nourishing to help cool Yin deficiency fires that are appear in women in their 30’s and older.
Functions
Harmonize Liver and Spleen
Spread Liver Qi
Resolve Stagnation
Nourish Blood
Tonify Spleen and Stomach
Regulate Xiao Yang Patterns — These are half exterior, half interior patterns, that affect the Gallbladder. Post viral syndromes such as long Covid, mono, shingles and Epstein Barr. Xiao Chai Hu Tang Wan (Minor Buplereum) is the superior formula for these patterns, but Xiao Yao will definitely address them, especially minor flare ups.
Indications
Liver Qi Deficiency
Liver Qi Stagnation
Liver Blood Deficiency
Spleen Qi Deficiency
Conception Vessel Deficiency
Western symptoms
What doesn’t it address? The symptoms and western patterns that Xiao Yao can address are broad, this is because its function is to harmonize, nourish and smooth things out. Remember, it influences the Liver, Gallbladder, Stomach and Spleen.
Breast patterns — Distention, pain, abscess
Digestive patterns — Indigestion, GERD, acid reflux, ulcers, bloating, gas, abdominal pain, nausea, sugar cravings and blood sugar imbalances, and a sour taste in the mouth, fullness in the abdomen and diaphragm, sighing — you can’t get a full breath because the diaphragm is locked down. Minor gallbladder attacks and flank pain.
Fever — Minor and tidal fever, steaming bone syndrome,
Fatigue patterns - Mental/emotional, chronic fatigue syndrome
Headaches — Especially dull, but I have seen it address most headaches patterns.
It can help when Liver Yang is rising too much. Think high blood pressure, ringing in the ears, and yes…running piglets.
Mental and emotional patterns — PMS, anger, frustration, frequent crying, irritability, emotional fatigue, sighing, and pent up anger. It can smooth over the whole spectrum from when you are wanting to cry, have pent up emotions and spring fever, to wanting to rage against the machine.
Menstrual patterns —PMS, irregular periods, painful periods, irregular stools with cycles, vaginal discharge.
Sleep disharmonies — Insomnia, restless sleep, waking at 3 am.
Such a lovely formula — it’s very beneficial in all the major watershed phases of women’s cycles from menarche, the high fertility years, to perimenopause and menopause. A modified form, Jia Wei Xiao Yao Wan, which includes Mu Dan Pi and Gardenia, is more cooling and counters the Yin deficiency fires that are often appear in women over 35.
Tongue
Pale
Red
Coating-Thin
Coating-White
Swollen
Red Sides
Red Tip
Pulses
Wiry. For advanced pulse practitioners, look for the diaphragm pulse between the Upper and Middle Burner positions on both wrists.
Contraindications
Early stages of an acute invasion such as a cold, flu, virus, etc.
Use with caution during pregnancy.
Dosage
Dosage will vary depending on the formulation, and how often and to what degree you are experiencing these symptoms and patterns. Xiao Yao Wan is available as tea pills (BBs), tablets, capsules, granular and tincture. Seek guidance in assessing if Xiao Yao is right for you, right now.
Be well,
April
