Gu Chong Tang (Stabilize Gushing Decoction)

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Indications

Western Uses:

• What is Gu Chong Tang used for in modern practice?

  In modern practice Gu Chong Tang is referenced by TCM practitioners for heavy or prolonged uterine bleeding that biomedicine describes as abnormal or dysfunctional uterine bleeding (AUB/DUB), typically of the anovulatory or qi-deficient type — and only once a physician has ruled out structural or hormonal causes such as fibroids, polyps, coagulation disorders, ectopic pregnancy, or malignancy.

  This biomedical correlate is offered as a reference to the formula’s traditional use, not as a claim that it treats any diagnosed condition. Several modern Chinese formulas share the word “guchong” (stabilize the Chong vessel) in their names but use different, modified compositions (see research) — they are related in principle, not identical to this classical formula. Heavy or irregular uterine bleeding always warrants prompt medical evaluation; this is not a substitute for that care.

  Source: traditional-use correlate summarized from Bensky & Barolet, Formulas & Strategies; reference only, not a treatment claim.

Originally Appeared In:

• Records of Heart Felt Experiences in Medicine with References to the West (Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu)

Notes:

• How does Gu Chong Tang compare to other formulas for flooding and spotting (beng lou)?

  Gu Chong Tang leans on mineral and shell astringents (Long Gu, Mu Li, Hai Piao Xiao, Wu Bei Zi) for urgent hemostasis alongside qi tonification, which distinguishes it from formulas that rely more on qi-raising or blood-nourishing herbs alone.

  • vs Gu Ben Zhi Beng Tang (also from Fu Qingzhu’s and related lineages of gynecology texts): that formula centers on Ren Shen, Huang Qi, Bai Zhu, and Sheng Di/Shu Di to rebuild qi and blood together, with comparatively less reliance on mineral/shell astringents than Gu Chong Tang.
  • Modern derivatives: contemporary Chinese clinical formulas such as Yi Qi Gu Chong Tang share Gu Chong Tang’s qi-securing strategy but are distinct, modified prescriptions rather than the original ten-herb decoction.

  Source: Bensky & Barolet, Formulas & Strategies (comparative formula analysis); cross-checked against contemporary TCM formula references. Traditional-use framing.

Clinical Studies & Research:

• Is there modern research on Gu Chong Tang?

  Direct clinical trials on Zhang Xichun’s unmodified, ten-herb classical formula were not found in PubMed/PMC. Several modern Chinese-language studies use related, similarly-named “guchong” (stabilize the Chong vessel) formulas for dysfunctional uterine bleeding, but their compositions differ from — and are not confirmed identical to — this classical formula, so they are noted here for context only, not as direct evidence for it.

  • Guchong Zhixue Decoction (a modified, similarly-named formula): a small randomized trial in anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding reported a 93.3% hemostasis rate versus 70.0% for a comparator oral liquid (PMID 16548361).
  • Shenqi Guchong Recipe (a distinct peri-menopausal variant): studied for anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding in perimenopause (PMID 20929121).

  Sources: PubMed 16548361; PubMed 20929121. Cited as related, name-similar formulas for context only — composition not confirmed identical to this formula; not a therapeutic claim.