Formula Formulas that warm and purge

Da Huang Fu Zi Tang

大黄附子汤

Also known as:

Rhubarb and Aconite Accessory Root Decoction , Rhubarb and Prepared Aconite Decoction

Formula Composition

Zhi Fu Zi
Zhi Fu Zi
Da Huang
Da Huang
Xi Xin
Xi Xin
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King
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistant
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Warms the Interior
  2. Disperses Cold
  3. Unblocks the bowels
  4. Alleviates pain

Patterns Treated

Exterior Cold invading the Interior

Historical Origin

Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (220 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Da Huang Fu Zi Tang

Main Actions

Warms the Interior
Disperses Cold
Unblocks the bowels
Alleviates pain

Key TCM Concepts

Da Huang Fu Zi Tang is a 3-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm and purge. Its main actions are: 1) warms the Interior and 2) disperses Cold.

 

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 Da Huang Fu Zi Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Exterior Cold invading the Interior. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia, periarthritis of the shoulder or gallstones for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Exterior Cold invading the Interior

Common Applications

Trigeminal neuralgia Periarthritis of the shoulder Gallstones Kidney stones Appendicitis Inguinal hernia Orchitis Sciatica Phlebitis Sties Keratities Conjunctivitis Tonsillitis Gingivitis Chronic renal failure Lumbar disc disease Urticaria Eczema

Ingredients in Da Huang Fu Zi Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Da Huang Fu Zi Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Zhi Fu Zi
Zhi Fu Zi

Prepared aconite

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Spleen
Parts Used Processed daughter root
Role in Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
Zhi Fu Zi is the most effective substance in the Materia Medica for warming the Yang and dispelling Cold. In this case, because the Cold is severe and it is combined with a cooling substance, Rhubarb (Da Huang)'s dosage is higher than usual.
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Da Huang
Da Huang

Rhubarb

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
Da Huang is used here to flush the Intestines and purge Stagnant accumulation. It also enters the Liver Channel at the Blood level where it assists in the treatment of hypochondriac pain and directs the actions of the other herbs into the Intestines. This is a more subtle and complex action than merely draining Fire through the stool. For this reason, the dosage of this herb is much lower than in formulas in which it serves as the key herb, such as Da Cheng Qi Tang.
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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 Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
Xi Xin is a powerful substance for expelling Cold and dispersing accumulation or clumping. It is commonly combined with Aconite to treat pathogenic Cold that lurks deeply in the Yin portion of the body.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Da Huang Fu Zi Tang

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated in patterns of Interior Excess Heat , because the formula is warm. If taking this formula is followed by a bowel movement, the prognosis is generally good. If, on the other hand, it causes vomiting, increased chills, or the appearance of a thin pulse, it indicates a worsening of the condition and the patient should stop taking the formula.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Da Huang Fu Zi Tang may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.