Chinese: 补阳还五汤
Pinyin: Bǔ Yáng Hái Wǔ Tāng
Other names: Tonify the Yang to Restore Five [-Tenths] Decoction,
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that regulate Blood
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: EpilepsyNeurosesNeuralgias and ten other conditions
- Tonifies Qi
- Invigorates Blood
- Unblocks the channels
Contraindications: Contraindicated for patients having a wind stroke and with a big, forceful or... Contraindicated for patients having a wind stroke and with a big, forceful or firm, wiry and forceful pulse. It should also not be used during pregnancy or for someone with Yin Deficiency due to Blood Heat. Finally, it is not for patients with hemorrhage as most of the herbs here invigorate Blood. see more
Source date: 1830 AD
Source book: Correction of Errors among Physicians
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 1830 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that regulate Blood. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies Qi and 2) invigorates Blood.
In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.
From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as poststroke hemiplegia, cerebrovascular disease or poliomyelitis sequelae for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the seven ingredients in Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang helps treat.
The seven ingredients in Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang
Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi)
Huang Qi strongly tonifies the original Qi. Its dosage is five times bigger than all the other herbs combined, which shows the clear purpose of this formula.
Dang Gui is a deputy ingredient in Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. Dong Quai (Dang Gui)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Dang Gui's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation."
In the context of Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang, it is used because it invigorates the Blood and harmonize the Nutritive Qi.
Chuan Xiong is a deputy ingredient in Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
Meridian affinity: GallbladderLiverPericardium
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Chuan Xiong's main actions are as follows: "Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches."
In the context of Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang, it is used because it invigorates the Blood and harmonize the Nutritive Qi.
Chi Shao is a deputy ingredient in Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. Red Peony Roots (Chi Shao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Cool
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: Liver
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Chi Shao's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood, relieves pain and reduces swelling. Cools the Blood and the Liver."
In the context of Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang, it is used because it invigorates the Blood and harmonize the Nutritive Qi.
Tao Ren is an assistant ingredient in Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
5. Peach Kernels (Tao Ren)
Part used: Dried ripe seed
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: HeartLarge intestineLiver
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Tao Ren's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood and breaks up Stasis. Moistens the Intestines. Relieves coughing."
In the context of Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang, it is used because it invigorates Blood, removes Blood stagnation, and unblocks the Channels.
Hong Hua is an assistant ingredient in Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. Safflowers (Hong Hua)
In general Hong Hua's main actions are as follows: "Moves Stagnant Blood and regulates menses. Relieves pain caused by Blood Stasis."
In the context of Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang, it is used because it invigorates Blood, removes Blood stagnation, and unblocks the Channels.
Di Long is an assistant ingredient in Bu Yang Huang Wu Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
7. Earthworms (Di Long)
Part used: Dried body of the worm
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Salty
Meridian affinity: BladderSpleenLiver
Category: Herbs that pacify Internal Liver Wind and stop Tremors
Di Long invigorates Blood, removes Blood stagnation, and unblocks the Channels. This herb is particularly helpful for unblocking and invigorating the Channels and Collaterals. It also assists the key herb Milkvetch root in Qi circulation around the body.
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