Suo Quan Wan (缩泉丸) — Reduce the Stream Pill

Suo Quan Wan is a classical Chinese herbal formula used primarily for childhood nocturnal enuresis with cold pattern. It is prescribed for Kidney Yang deficiency with urinary leakage:

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions
7. Frequently asked questions

Overview

Suo Quan Wan — the “Reduce the Stream Pill” — is a Song-dynasty formula. The name evokes shrinking down an overflowing stream — the patient who urinates too frequently, leaks at night or has cold-pattern bedwetting. Just three herbs: Yi Zhi Ren (warming and astringent), Wu Yao (warming and Qi-moving) and Shan Yao (Spleen-Kidney tonifying) — combine to warm the Kidney Yang and astringe urinary leakage.

I prescribe Suo Quan Wan as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Suo Quan Wan is prescribed for Kidney Yang deficiency with urinary leakage:

• Frequent clear urination
• Nocturia (waking to pass urine at night)
• Nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting in children or adults)
• Stress urinary incontinence with cold pattern
• Pale, possibly cold lower body
• Tongue — pale, white moist coat
• Pulse — deep, weak, slow at proximal positions

Key herbs

1. Yi Zhi Ren (black cardamom, Alpinia oxyphylla, 9-12g) — warms Kidney Yang and astringes urinary leakage
2. Wu Yao (Lindera aggregata, 6-12g) — warms and moves Qi in the lower burner
3. Shan Yao (Dry-fried Rz. Dioscoreae, 9-15g) — tonifies Spleen and Kidney; astringes

Formula actions

1. Warms Kidney Yang
2. Astringes urinary leakage
3. Reduces urinary frequency

Conditions treated

1. Childhood nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) with cold pattern
2. Adult nocturnal enuresis from Kidney Yang deficiency
3. Frequent urination in older adults
4. Nocturia — see natural treatment for frequent urination
5. Stress urinary incontinence with Kidney Yang deficiency pattern
6. Overactive bladder with cold pattern
7. Diabetes insipidus pattern with cold lower body

Cautions

Frequent urination in older adults needs medical assessment to exclude UTI, prostate enlargement, diabetes, bladder dysfunction or cancer.

Persistent bedwetting in older children warrants paediatric assessment.

Not appropriate for Heat-pattern frequent urination (burning, dark concentrated urine).

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.

Frequently asked questions about Suo Quan Wan

What is Suo Quan Wan used for?

Suo Quan Wan is used for childhood nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting) with cold pattern, adult nocturnal enuresis from kidney yang deficiency, frequent urination in older adults, nocturia — see natural treatment for frequent urination, stress urinary incontinence with kidney yang deficiency pattern. The formula targets the underlying TCM pattern producing these symptoms rather than the symptom in isolation, which is why pattern diagnosis by a qualified herbalist is essential.

How does Suo Quan Wan work?

The herbs in Suo Quan Wan work together: Yi Zhi Ren (black cardamom, Alpinia oxyphylla, 9 12g) — warms kidney yang and astringes urinary leakage; Wu Yao (Lindera aggregata, 6 12g) — warms and moves qi in the lower burner; Shan Yao (Dry fried rz. dioscoreae, 9-15g) — tonifies spleen and kidney; astringes. The synergy of these actions addresses the underlying TCM pattern.

How long does Suo Quan Wan take to work?

For most patients, an improvement is typically noticed within 2–4 weeks of daily granule treatment. Full benefit usually requires 6–12 weeks, depending on how long-standing the underlying pattern is. Suo Quan Wan is typically prescribed as part of an individualised treatment plan that may include other herbs or adjustments over time.

Is Suo Quan Wan safe in pregnancy?

Use of Suo Quan Wan in pregnancy should only be considered under the supervision of a qualified RCHM herbalist with pregnancy training, and only when the TCM pattern specifically calls for it.

Who should not take Suo Quan Wan?

Frequent urination in older adults needs medical assessment to exclude UTI, prostate enlargement, diabetes, bladder dysfunction or cancer. Persistent bedwetting in older children warrants paediatric assessment. Not appropriate for Heat-pattern frequent urination (burning, dark concentrated urine). Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM. Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide. Suo Quan Wan must be prescribed only after full pattern diagnosis by a qualified RCHM herbalist; self-prescription is not appropriate.