Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang

Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang is a classical formula traditionally used to invigorate Blood and resolve chronic stagnation affecting the abdomen and organs below the diaphragm.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, when Blood circulation becomes impaired, tissues may gradually become congested, poorly nourished and resistant to normal healing. Over time, fixed lesions, masses and chronic disease processes may develop as stagnation becomes more established.

Unlike formulas that primarily clear inflammation or support deficiency, Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang focuses on restoring movement through areas of chronic obstruction. It combines multiple Blood-moving herbs with Qi-regulating herbs, helping improve circulation while addressing the stagnation that often prevents normal tissue function and recovery.

Clinically, this formula is commonly used in:

• abdominal masses
  
• splenic masses
  
• liver masses
  
• pancreatic masses
  
• prostatic disease and prostatic carcinoma
  
• chronic abdominal enlargement associated with stagnation
  
• fixed abdominal discomfort
  
• chronic tumour environments where stagnation predominates
  
• chronic diseases affecting tissues below the diaphragm
  

Animals suited to this formula often show:

• fixed or slowly changing lesions
  
• chronic disease affecting abdominal organs
  
• poor peripheral circulation
  
• cool ears or paws
  
• red, dark red or purplish tongue
  
• wiry, rapid or toned pulse
  

This formula combines particularly well with Xiao Chai Hu Tang when stagnation and constrained movement coexist, a pattern commonly seen in chronic inflammatory, neoplastic and hepatobiliary disease.

In Western terms, this formula is often selected when impaired circulation, vascular congestion and chronic tissue stagnation appear to be contributing factors within abdominal disease processes.

This formula is generally less appropriate where:

• acute inflammatory infection predominates
  
• significant deficiency is present without evidence of stagnation
  
• tissues are primarily hot and inflamed rather than fixed and obstructed
  
• Dampness is the dominant pattern without significant Blood stasis.

Peach kernel,
Carthamus flower,
Dang Gui root,
Sichuan lovage rhizome,
Tree peony root bark,
Chinese red peony root,
Bitter orange mature fruit,
Lindera root,
Cyperus rhizome,
Corydalis tuber,
Chinese licorice root and rhizome.

Dogs up to 5 kg Give ¼ of a teaspoon twice daily

5-10 kg Give ½ a teaspoon twice daily

10-15 kg Give ¾ of a teaspoon twice daily

15-20 kg Give 1 teaspoon twice daily

20-30 kg Give 1 ½ teaspoons twice daily

30-40 kg Give 2 teaspoons twice daily

It is advised to start on a lower dose and work up to the full dose over a week or so to check it is a good fit for your dog. The above dosing guidelines can be adjusted. For animals that have had benefit from the herbs, a lower dose may be required to maintain or wean off the formula. Conversely, animals may be given more frequent or higher doses when the effect is required more quickly and the formula choice is certain.

Ways to get herbs into pets.
Most dogs with a good appetite will simply eat herbal mixtures in their food. If animals have a weak appetite or are otherwise picky with their choices there area few other ways to entice them.
Mix herbs with a small amount of a high value treat – eg mince, sardines, cheese.
Mix herbs into a bone broth and pour over food.
If owners are still having trouble, gelatin food capsules can be bought inexpensively and herbs put into them. Owners then need to give the capsule either directly into the mouth or again, mixed in food.