Formula External formulas for Internal disorders

An Tai Zhu Gao

安胎主膏

Also known as:

Fetus-Quieting Plaster

Formula Composition

Dang Shen
Dang Shen
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang
Shan Yao
Shan Yao
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
Chen Pi
Chen Pi
Zi Su Geng
Zi Su Geng
Du Zhong
Du Zhong
Xu Duan
Xu Duan
Huang Qin
Huang Qin
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Xiang Fu
Xiang Fu
Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Bei Mu
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Strengthens the Qi and Blood
  2. Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys
  3. Calms the fetus

Historical Origin

Rhymed Prose on [Medical] Principles and Applications (1879 AD )

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of An Tai Zhu Gao

Main Actions

Strengthens the Qi and Blood
Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys
Calms the fetus

Key TCM Concepts

An Tai Zhu Gao is a 14-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Codonopsis Roots (Dang Shen) and Dong Quai (Dang Gui) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1879 AD, it belongs to the category of external formulas for Internal disorders. Its main actions are: 1) strengthens the Qi and Blood and 2) tonifies the Liver and Kidneys.

 

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 restless fetus for instance.

Ingredients in An Tai Zhu Gao

Detailed information about each herb in An Tai Zhu Gao and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Dang Shen
Dang Shen

Codonopsis roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in An Tai Zhu Gao
In general Dang Shen's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen and Lung Qi. Assists in the secretion of Bodily Fluids."

In the context of An Tai Zhu Gao, it is used because it tonifies the Spleen and Lung Qi.
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Dang Gui
Dang Gui

Dong quai

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in An Tai Zhu Gao
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 An Tai Zhu Gao, it is used because it Tonifies the Blood.
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Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang

Prepared rehmannia

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Prepared dried root tuber
Role in An Tai Zhu Gao
In general Shu Di huang's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys."

In the context of An Tai Zhu Gao, it is used because it tonifies the Blood and the Kidney Yin.
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Shan Yao
Shan Yao

Yam

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in An Tai Zhu Gao
In general Shan Yao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing."

In the context of An Tai Zhu Gao, it is used because it tonifies the Qi of Lungs, Spleen and Stomach.
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Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu

Atractylodes rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in An Tai Zhu Gao
In general Bai Zhu's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi."

In the context of An Tai Zhu Gao, it is used because it tonifies the Spleen Qi. It also calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi..
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Chen Pi
Chen Pi

Tangerine peel

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried pericarp of the ripe fruit
Role in An Tai Zhu Gao
In general Chen Pi's main actions are as follows: "Warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi. Dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. Reduces the potential for Stagnation caused by tonifying herbs."

In the context of An Tai Zhu Gao, it is used because it warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi. .
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Zi Su Geng
Zi Su Geng

Perilla stems

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used The stem
Role in An Tai Zhu Gao
Zi Su Geng invigorates Qi in the Middle Burner and relieves pain. It also calms the fetus and prevents miscarriage.
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Du Zhong
Du Zhong

Eucommia bark

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried stem bark
Role in An Tai Zhu Gao
In general Du Zhong's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys. Calms ascendant Liver Yang (hypertension/high blood pressure). Calms a restless fetus."

In the context of An Tai Zhu Gao, it is used because it calms a restless fetus.
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Xu Duan
Xu Duan

Japanese teasel roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried root
Role in An Tai Zhu Gao
In general Xu Duan's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys. Assists in the healing of bones. Both stops bleeding and moves Blood. Calms the foetus."

In the context of An Tai Zhu Gao, it is used because it calms the fetus.
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Huang Qin
Huang Qin

Baikal skullcap roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Large Intestine, Lungs, Small Intestine, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in An Tai Zhu Gao
In general Huang Qin's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat and Dampness. Clears Upper Burner Heat, especially of the Lung. Clears Heat and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears pathogenic Heat which is upsetting the fetus. Cools the Liver, reducing Liver Yang rising syndrome."

In the context of An Tai Zhu Gao, it is used because it clears Heat and stops reckless movement of Blood.
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Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong

Szechuan lovage roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in An Tai Zhu Gao
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 An Tai Zhu Gao, it is used because it regulates and moves the Blood.
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Bai Shao
Bai Shao

White peony roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in An Tai Zhu Gao
Bai Shao tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. It also nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi.
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Xiang Fu
Xiang Fu

Coco-grass rhizomes

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen, San Jiao (Triple Burner)
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in An Tai Zhu Gao
In general Xiang Fu's main actions are as follows: "Unblocks Stagnant Liver Qi and relieves pain. Regulates the Liver and Spleen. Assists the regulation of menses and relieves pain."

In the context of An Tai Zhu Gao, it is used because it unblocks Stagnant Liver Qi and relieves pain.
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Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Bei Mu

Sichuan Fritillary bulbs

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs
Parts Used Dried bulb
Role in An Tai Zhu Gao
In general Chuan Bei Mu's main actions are as follows: "Clears Hot Phlegm and stops cough. Clears Lung Heat caused by Yin Deficiency. Clears Heat and reduces hard lumps and swellings."

In the context of An Tai Zhu Gao, it is used because it clears Lung Heat caused by Yin Deficiency.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for An Tai Zhu Gao

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any TCM herbal formula.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, An Tai Zhu Gao may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.