Xiao Yao Wan

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Overview

What is Xiao Yao Wan?

Xiao Yao Wan is an 8-herb classic Chinese herbal medicine widely used in China to support menstrual health, regulate menstrual irregularities, and relieve symptoms associated with liver qi stagnation and blood deficiency in traditional Chinese medicine.

Product Information

Chinese name逍遥丸
PinyinXiao Yao Wan
BrandJiuzhitang
China Drug Approval No.Z43020469
Dosage formpill
Traditional functionSoothes the liver, strengthens the spleen, nourishes the blood, and regulates menstruation.
StrengthEach 8 pills are equivalent to 3 g of original medicinal materials.
Recommended useThe labeled traditional use concerns liver qi constraint with spleen weakness and associated menstrual or digestive symptoms; it is not proof of effectiveness for every cause of these symptoms.
GTIN6924332730173

Evidence at a Glance

Small direct trials and formula-level reviews report possible benefits in selected depression, functional-dyspepsia, and anxiety settings. The evidence varies in population, preparation, comparator, and study quality and does not establish this exact commercial product for those conditions.

Consult a physician before use during pregnancy. Seek medical advice for abnormal bleeding, marked menstrual changes, or symptoms that do not improve after two weeks.

Uses

Common Uses

Xiao Yao Wan is traditionally used

  • Support menstrual health
  • Help regulate menstrual irregularities
  • Relieve symptoms associated with stress
  • Mood imbalance
  • Discomfort related to the menstrual cycle

Traditional & Labeled Uses

疏肝健脾，养血调经

Soothes the liver, strengthens the spleen, nourishes the blood, and regulates menstruation.

  • Menstrual irregularity associated with the labeled traditional pattern
  • Chest or flank distension and pain
  • Dizziness
  • Reduced appetite

Labeled traditional use is distinct from proof of clinical effectiveness for a diagnosed condition. New, severe, persistent, or unexplained symptoms require appropriate medical assessment.

Understanding the TCM Perspective

The label describes a Traditional Chinese Medicine pattern often translated as liver qi constraint with spleen weakness.

This Learn information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting TCM treatments.

Safety

Pregnancy

Consult a physician before use during pregnancy.

Allergy

Stop use and seek advice if an allergic reaction occurs. People with an allergy-prone constitution should use caution.

Drug Interactions

Interactions may occur when used with other medicines. Consult a physician or pharmacist before combining products.

When to Seek Medical Advice

Seek care for sudden reduction or delay of previously regular menstruation, irregular vaginal bleeding, unusually heavy bleeding, severe symptoms, or no improvement after two weeks. Consult a clinician before long-term use.

Contraindications

  • Do not use if you are allergic to this product or any listed ingredient.
  • Do not use during a cold unless a clinician advises otherwise.
  • The instructions state that this product is unsuitable for people with excessive menstrual bleeding.

Reported Adverse Reactions

  • The accessible instructions do not clearly establish a complete adverse-reaction profile; absence of listed reactions is not proof of no risk.

Evidence

Human Clinical Evidence

  • Xiaoyao Pills, a Chinese patent medicine, treats mild and moderate depression: A randomized clinical trial combined with DNA methylation analysis

    Design: Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial

    Year: 2024

    Sample size: 41

    The authors reported improvement concentrated in participants younger than 45 years with mild or moderate depression.

    View reference ↓

  • Xiaoyao pill for treatment of functional dyspepsia in perimenopausal women with depression

    Design: Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial

    Year: 2014

    Sample size: 180

    The trial reported improvements in depression scores and selected gastric-function measures relative to placebo.

    View reference ↓

  • Safety and efficacy of Xiaoyao-san for the treatment of functional dyspepsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

    Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis

    Year: 2023

    Sample size: 707

    The review reported pooled improvement in total clinical effectiveness and dyspepsia symptom scores in several comparisons.

    View reference ↓

  • Efficacy and safety of Xiaoyao San for the treatment of anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis

    Design: Systematic review, meta-analysis, and trial sequential analysis

    Year: 2023

    Sample size: 1256

    The review reported pooled improvements for several anxiety outcomes, including add-on comparisons.

    View reference ↓

Verification

PRODUCT IDENTITY

Brand Name
Jiuzhitang
Chinese Name
九芝堂
Manufacturer
Jiuzhitang Co., Ltd.
China drug approval number
Z43020469

These are Chinese product-registration details. They do not establish approval or availability in another country.

Verified by the AuthHerb Verification Team

  • Brand relationship confirmed
  • Manufacturer legal name confirmed
  • Approval number confirmed
  • Current packaging matched
  • Registration holder / manufacturer checked
  • Authenticity method checked
  • Label/source evidence recorded

Ingredients

The linked Xiao Yao Wan formula lists 8 ingredients. The first six ingredients are shown below.

View all 8 ingredients in the Xiao Yao Wan formula

Official Label Dosage

Take 8 pills orally three times daily.

Follow the current package insert if its instructions differ.

Missed Dose Information

No product-specific missed-dose instruction was identified.

Additional Directions

Follow the product label. Consult a physician before long-term use.

If symptoms do not improve after two weeks, seek medical advice.

A purchase option’s quantity does not define how long you should take the medicine.

Review cautions and when to seek medical advice

Frequently Asked Questions About Xiao Yao Wan

References

  1. [1]Xiaoyao Pills, a Chinese patent medicine, treats mild and moderate depression: A randomized clinical trial combined with DNA methylation analysisDouble-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial2024

    Population: 41 adults with depression

    Indication: Depression

    Intervention: Xiaoyao Pills, 8 pills three times daily

    Comparison: Placebo

    Sample size: 41

    Duration: 8 weeks intended treatment

    Reported findings

    The authors reported improvement concentrated in participants younger than 45 years with mild or moderate depression.

    Interpretation

    This is small direct finished-formula evidence and does not establish benefit for major depressive disorder or for this exact approval-number product.

    Limitations

    Under-recruited trial with subgroup-dependent findings; only 41 participants were randomized.

    Xiaoyao Pills, a Chinese patent medicine, treats mild and moderate depression: A randomized clinical trial combined with DNA methylation analysis. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155660

    Study type: Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial

    PMID: 38815407

    DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155660

  2. [2]Xiaoyao pill for treatment of functional dyspepsia in perimenopausal women with depressionDouble-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial2014

    Population: 180 perimenopausal women with functional dyspepsia and depression

    Indication: Functional dyspepsia with depression

    Intervention: Xiaoyao pill

    Comparison: Placebo

    Sample size: 180

    Duration: 8 weeks with 6-month follow-up

    Reported findings

    The trial reported improvements in depression scores and selected gastric-function measures relative to placebo.

    Interpretation

    The result is limited to a specific population and does not verify the exact commercial product in this build.

    Limitations

    Single-population, single-study evidence with uncertain generalizability.

    Xiaoyao pill for treatment of functional dyspepsia in perimenopausal women with depression. 2014. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v20.i44.16739

    Study type: Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial

    PMID: 25469046

    DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i44.16739

  3. [3]Safety and efficacy of Xiaoyao-san for the treatment of functional dyspepsia: A systematic review and meta-analysisSystematic review and meta-analysis2023

    Population: 707 participants across 6 randomized trials

    Indication: Functional dyspepsia

    Intervention: Xiaoyao-san across included trials

    Comparison: Western medicine comparators

    Sample size: 707

    Duration: Varied across included trials

    Reported findings

    The review reported pooled improvement in total clinical effectiveness and dyspepsia symptom scores in several comparisons.

    Interpretation

    This is formula-level review context, not proof for approval number Z43020469.

    Limitations

    Certainty ranged from very low to high; preparations and methods varied and heterogeneity was present.

    Safety and efficacy of Xiaoyao-san for the treatment of functional dyspepsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1114222

    PMID: 37124216

    DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1114222

  4. [4]Efficacy and safety of Xiaoyao San for the treatment of anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysisSystematic review, meta-analysis, and trial sequential analysis2023

    Population: 1,256 participants across 14 trials

    Indication: Anxiety

    Intervention: Xiaoyao San alone or added to anxiolytic treatment

    Comparison: Anxiolytic treatment or control regimens

    Sample size: 1256

    Duration: Varied across included trials

    Reported findings

    The review reported pooled improvements for several anxiety outcomes, including add-on comparisons.

    Interpretation

    The findings are formula-level and do not establish effectiveness of this exact commercial product.

    Limitations

    Most trials had moderate or high risk of bias; interventions and comparators varied.

    Efficacy and safety of Xiaoyao San for the treatment of anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis. 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1169292

    Study type: Systematic review, meta-analysis, and trial sequential analysis

    PMID: 37905203

    DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1169292