Descending Life Powder，*Medical Mirror of Ancient and Modern Times*, Volume 12.，In cases of difficult labor where contractions are still infrequent, and delivery has not occurred after three or two days, or where the mother is exhausted and her vital energy is depleted, and the birth canal is dry and constricted, leading to dystocia.
Descending Life Powder
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All references in this article to TCM syndrome differentiation, herbal medicines, teas, and decoctions are intended to promote TCM culture and are provided solely for educational and reference purposes.
Formulas Name : Descending Life Powder
Chinese Name : 降生散
Drug Formulation
Processed Atractylodes (Cang Zhu) 2 qian, Fructus Aurantii (Zhi Ke) 1 qian, Platycodon (Jie Geng) 1 qian, Dried Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) 1 qian, White Peony (Yang Shao) 1 qian, White Angelica (Bai Zhi) 1 qian, Sichuan Lovage (Chuan Xiong) 1 qian, Chinese Angelica (Dang Gui) 1 qian, Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui) 5 fen, Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang) 5 fen, Magnolia Bark (Hou Po) 5 fen, Pinellia (Ban Xia) 5 fen, Poria (Fu Ling) 5 fen, Wood Fragrance (Mu Xiang) 5 fen, Apricot Kernel (Xing Ren) 5 fen, Ephedra (Ma Huang) 5 fen, Licorice (Gan Cao) 5 fen.
Source
*Medical Mirror of Ancient and Modern Times*, Volume 12.
Processing
Grind the above ingredients into a powder.
Benefits
In cases of difficult labor where contractions are still infrequent, and delivery has not occurred after three or two days, or where the mother is exhausted and her vital energy is depleted, and the birth canal is dry and constricted, leading to dystocia.
Instructions for Use
Take 2 qian per dose, washed down with warm water running under a faucet. If feeling hot or stuffy, mix with honeyed water; or grind into a powder, decoct with ginger and jujube in water running under a faucet, and take the decoction. It is particularly effective when used during the winter months. During the height of summer, it may be difficult to take this formula lightly; instead, use Wuling Powder, decocted with rapeseed and lampwick, and take it mixed with the decoction.
Note
As soon as abdominal pain begins—but only after the amniotic fluid has ruptured—this medicine may be taken, and labor will commence immediately; it will also expel a stillborn fetus. It should not be taken before the amniotic fluid has ruptured.
Copyright: Excerpt from *Medical Mirror of Ancient and Modern Times*, Volume 12., Copyright belongs to the Original Author and all original sources, This article was shared by DeDe on August 26, 2026, Please credit the source and include a link to the original article when reposting.
Terminology Proofreading: [Cheng Bo] | August 26, 2026 Reviewed by: [Wang Zhongxiang, Associate Chief TCM Physician (China)] | August 26, 2026
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Descending Life Powder,In cases of difficult labor where contractions are still infrequent, and delivery has not occurred after three or two days, or where the mother is exhausted and her vital energy is depleted, and the birth canal is dry and constricted, leading to dystocia.