Ma Zi Ren Wan

Hemp Seed Pill

Moisten the Intestines • Nourish Fluids • Relieve Constipation • Regulate the Middle Burner

Ma Zi Ren Wan is one of the most important classical formulas for constipation caused by intestinal dryness and Heat damaging fluids. First recorded in the Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage), it is designed for patients whose bowels lack sufficient moisture and movement—creating dry, difficult stools without relying on overly aggressive purging.

Unlike formulas that strongly drain downward, Ma Zi Ren Wan takes a gentler approach by moistening the intestines, nourishing fluids, regulating Qi movement, and supporting smooth elimination. This makes it especially valuable for deficiency-based constipation where dryness, age, postpartum depletion, or recovery after illness have reduced normal intestinal lubrication.

When patients present with dry, pellet-like stools, abdominal fullness, difficulty passing stool, and signs of fluid depletion, Ma Zi Ren Wan is often one of the first formulas practitioners consider.

Beyond traditional constipation patterns, this formula has become highly regarded in modern digestive practice for slow transit patterns, especially among patients who need gentle long-term support rather than harsh elimination.

Traditional Indications

• Heat-induced constipation with dryness
• Dry, hard stool
• Difficulty passing stool
• Intestinal dryness
• Abdominal fullness and tension
• Post-fever constipation
• Postpartum constipation
• Constipation in elderly patients
• Fluid deficiency affecting the intestines
• Slow bowel transit patterns

TCM Pattern

Intestinal Dryness with Heat and Qi Constraint

Ma Zi Ren Wan moistens the intestines, nourishes fluids, promotes bowel movement, regulates Qi, and gently clears accumulated Heat from the Yangming pathway.

Modern Clinical Applications

Many practitioners reach for Ma Zi Ren Wan when supporting patients experiencing:

• Chronic dry constipation
• Hard stools with difficulty passing
• Constipation after illness or fever
• Postpartum bowel irregularity
• Age-related constipation patterns
• Slow digestive transit
• Dryness associated with fluid depletion
• Abdominal distention with constipation
• Patients who do not tolerate harsh laxative approaches

Its unique ability to lubricate while regulating movement makes it one of the most respected formulas for constipation rooted in dryness rather than simple stagnation.

Ingredients

Huo Ma Ren — 30%
Xing Ren — 15%
Bai Shao — 15%
Da Huang — 15%
Hou Po — 12.5%
Zhi Shi — 12.5%

Based on classical ratios and standard modifications

Crafted using our signature Two-Cured Decoction™ process—combining a traditional hot water decoction with a secondary high-proof alcohol extraction—to capture both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble herbal constituents for a full-spectrum tincture.

Practitioner Favorites

Chronic Dryness Constipation

60% Ma Zi Ren Wan + 40% Run Chang Wan

Excellent when constipation is primarily driven by dryness and fluid depletion, especially in chronic cases requiring deeper intestinal moistening.

More Pronounced Abdominal Tension

50% Ma Zi Ren Wan + 50% Xiao Cheng Qi Tang

A favorite combination when constipation is accompanied by stronger abdominal fullness, distention, and signs of excess accumulation.

Single Herb Pairings

For further customization, consider adding:

Yu Li Ren — when stronger moistening and downward movement are needed for stubborn dryness constipation.

Gan Cao — when additional harmonizing support is desired to moderate stronger actions within a formula.

Urban Herbs Practitioner Advantage

Every 16 oz amber bottle is designed for fast, customized dispensing in clinical practice. Blend Ma Zi Ren Wan with complementary formulas to create individualized prescriptions in minutes—giving your patients the convenience of a liquid tincture while providing your practice with a flexible, space-saving herbal pharmacy.

Double-extracted. Ready to dispense. Built for practitioners.

Why Practitioners Keep Ma Zi Ren Wan on the Shelf

Every practitioner eventually encounters the patient who says,

"I feel backed up, but I do not need something harsh—I just feel dry."

That patient often reflects the classic Ma Zi Ren Wan presentation.

Its strength comes from its balanced approach. Rather than simply forcing elimination, it restores moisture to the intestines while gently encouraging movement. This makes it especially valuable for patients whose constipation comes from depletion rather than excess.

Practitioners frequently reach for Ma Zi Ren Wan when supporting:

• Dry, difficult stools
• Chronic constipation
• Postpartum bowel dryness
• Elderly constipation patterns
• Constipation after fever or illness
• Slow intestinal transit
• Fluid depletion affecting digestion
• Patients sensitive to stronger purging formulas

Because Urban Herbs tinctures are designed for blending, Ma Zi Ren Wan becomes even more versatile when combined with formulas that provide stronger moistening, address Qi stagnation, or support more pronounced Heat accumulation.

For many practitioners, it is the formula they consider when the goal is not simply to move the bowels—but to restore the conditions that allow normal elimination.

One bottle. A timeless solution for intestinal dryness and gentle regulation.

Practitioner Snapshot

Category

Constipation & Intestinal Regulation Formulas

Primary Actions

• Moistens the Intestines
• Nourishes Fluids
• Promotes Bowel Movement
• Regulates Qi
• Relieves Abdominal Fullness
• Gently Clears Heat

Best For

• Dry constipation
• Hard stools
• Chronic constipation
• Postpartum dryness
• Elderly constipation
• Slow transit patterns
• Fluid deficiency affecting digestion

Pairs Well With

• Run Chang Wan
• Xiao Cheng Qi Tang
• Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
• Zeng Ye Cheng Qi Tang
• Xiao Yao San

Clinical Personality

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Intestinal Moistening
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Dry Constipation Support
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Qi Regulation
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Gentle Purging
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Digestive Harmonization

Clinical Pearl

Ma Zi Ren Wan is one of the classic formulas every practitioner associates with the phrase “dry constipation.” Its hallmark indication is the patient who struggles to pass stool because the intestines have lost their natural lubrication—not because of simple blockage alone.

Its brilliance lies in its balance. Huo Ma Ren and Xing Ren moisten and lubricate, Bai Shao nourishes Blood and fluids, while Da Huang, Hou Po, and Zhi Shi gently restore downward movement. This combination allows Ma Zi Ren Wan to address constipation while respecting the underlying deficiency that created the dryness.

For practitioners, it remains one of the essential formulas for supporting healthy elimination when the body needs moisture, movement, and balance restored together.