Formula Formulas that dredge and disperse External Wind

Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San

川芎茶调散

Also known as:

Chuanxiong Powder to Be Taken with Green Tea

Formula Composition

Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Bai Zhi
Bai Zhi
Qiang Huo
Qiang Huo
Bo He
Bo He
Xi Xin
Xi Xin
Jing Jie
Jing Jie
Fang Feng
Fang Feng
Lv
Lv Cha
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistant
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Disperses Wind
  2. Relieves headaches

Patterns Treated

Exterior Wind

Historical Origin

Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People in the Taiping Era (1107)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San

Main Actions

Disperses Wind
Relieves headaches

Key TCM Concepts

Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong), Angelica Roots (Bai Zhi) and Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1107, it belongs to the category of formulas that dredge and disperse External Wind. Its main actions are: 1) Disperses Wind and 2) relieves headaches.

 

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.

 

In this case Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Exterior Wind. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as upper respiratory tract infections, migraine headache or tension headache for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Exterior Wind

Common Applications

Upper respiratory tract infections Migraine headache Tension headache Neurogenic headache Acute rhinitis Chronic rhinitis Acute sinusitis Chronic sinusitis Postconcussion headache

Ingredients in Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San

Detailed information about each herb in Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong

Szechuan lovage roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
Chuan Xiong alleviates headaches along the Lesser Yang and Terminal Yin Channels around temporal and vertex. Notopterygium root also alleviates headaches but along the Greater Yang Channel around occipital. Angelica root is along the Yang Brightness Channel. All these three are King herbs of the formula, and they treat headache inany part of the head. If the pain is localized, the dosage of the corresponding herb can be increased accordingly.
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Bai Zhi
Bai Zhi

Angelica roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
Bai Zhi alleviates headaches along the Yang Brightness Channel. Notopterygium root also alleviates headaches but along the Greater Yang Channel around occipital. Szechuan lovage root is along the Lesser Yang and Terminal Yin Channels around temporal and vertex. All these three are King herbs of the formula, and they treat headache inany part of the head. If the pain is localized, the dosage of the corresponding herb can be increased accordingly.
View herb details
Qiang Huo
Qiang Huo

Notopterygium roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried rhizome and root
Role in Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
Qiang Huo alleviates headaches along the Greater Yang Channel around occipital. Angelica root is along the Yang Brightness Channel. Szechuan lovage root is along the Lesser Yang and Terminal Yin Channels around temporal and vertex. All these three are King herbs of the formula, and they treat headache inany part of the head. If the pain is localized, the dosage of the corresponding herb can be increased accordingly.
View herb details
Bo He
Bo He

Wild mint

Temperature Cool
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried aerial parts
Role in Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
In general Bo He's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Wind-Heat. Clears Wind-Heat from the head, eyes and throat. Allows the release of toxins from the skin. Moves Stagnant Liver Qi"

In the context of Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San, it is used because it disperses Wind from the Exterior, benefits the head and eyes, and clears Heat from Stagnation.
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Xi Xin
Xi Xin

Wild ginger

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
Xi Xin scatters cold, alleviates pain, and is especially effective in treating headaches along the Lesser Yin Channel, such as orbital headaches.
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Jing Jie
Jing Jie

Japanese catnip

Temperature Neutral
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Aerial portion and flowers, or the spikes only (in which case it is called Jing Jie Sui)
Role in Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
In general Jing Jie's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold or Heat depending on the other herbs used. Releases the Exterior for measles. Stops bleeding. Abates swellings."

In the context of Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San, it is used because it disperses Wind from both the Exterior and the Channels.
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Fang Feng
Fang Feng

Saposhnikovia roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
In general Fang Feng's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Relieves Wind-Damp-Cold painful obstruction. Disperses Wind."

In the context of Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San, it is used because it disperses Wind from both the Exterior and the Channels.
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Lv
Lv Cha
Role in Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
Lv Cha is bitter and cool. It causes the clear Yang to ascend and directs the turbid Yin downward, helps to clear the head and eyes, and moderates the undesirable side effects caused by the warm, drying properties of some of the other ingredients.
Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."

In the context of Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San, it is used because it cools, detoxifies, and harmonizes the actions of the other herbs in the formula.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San

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

Contraindications

Due to the considerable presence of warm and acrid ingredients in this formula, it is unsuitable for the treatment of headaches resulting from the ascendance of Liver Yang due to Liver and Kidney Deficiency, or headaches caused by Qi and Blood Deficiency. When consumed as a powder, it should be prepared in limited quantities and cooked for a short duration of 1-3 minutes.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.