Formula Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation

Dang Gui Shao Yao San

当归芍药散

Also known as:

Dong Quai and Peony Powder , Tangkuei and Peony Powder

Formula Composition

Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Ze Xie
Ze Xie
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
Mi Jiu
Mi Jiu
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Nourishes the Liver Blood
  2. Spreads the Liver Qi
  3. Strengthens the Spleen
  4. Resolves Dampness

Patterns Treated

Spleen and Liver Blood Deficiency, Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation

Historical Origin

Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (220 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Dang Gui Shao Yao San

Main Actions

Nourishes the Liver Blood
Spreads the Liver Qi
Strengthens the Spleen
Resolves Dampness

Key TCM Concepts

Dang Gui Shao Yao San is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with White Peony Roots (Bai Shao) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation. Its main actions are: 1) nourishes the Liver Blood and 2) spreads the Liver Qi.

 

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 Dang Gui Shao Yao San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Spleen and Liver Blood Deficiency or Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as perimenstrual migraines, endometritis or polycystic ovaries for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Spleen and Liver Blood Deficiency
  • Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation

Common Applications

Perimenstrual migraines Endometritis Polycystic ovaries Threatened miscarriage Habitual miscarriage Pre-eclampsia Postpartum depression Uterine leiomyoma Breast hyperplasia Infertility Chronic gastritis Peptic ulcers Cholecystitis Urinary tract stones Gout Intestinal obstruction Vascular Headaches Trigeminal neuralgia Sciatica Rheumatoid arthritis Acne Chilblains Eczema Urticaria Varicose veins Psoriasis Congestive heart disease

Ingredients in Dang Gui Shao Yao San

Detailed information about each herb in Dang Gui Shao Yao San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Bai Shao
Bai Shao

White peony roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Bai Shao is sour, bitter, and slightly cooling. It enters the Liver and Spleen, nourishes Blood, softens the Liver and moderates spasmodic abdominal pain. It is also able to unblock the Blood vessels and promote water metabolism. The combination of Bai Shao and Bai Zhu is often used in treating concurrent problems of the Liver and Spleen. This is because tonifying the Spleen as the source of postnatal Qi also tonifies the Liver Qi, while softening the Liver prevents its Qi from overacting on the Spleen.
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Ze Xie
Ze Xie

Water plantain

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried tuber
Role in Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Ze Xie enters into the Kidneys and Bladder to promote water metabolism and leach out Dampness. It assist the King ingredient in removing Stagnation by dredging thevessels and collaterals.
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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 Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Chuan Xiong is acrid and warming. It gets into the sea of Blood to dispel Stagnation and invigorate the Blood. It assist the King ingredient in removing Stagnation by dredging thevessels and collaterals.
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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 Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Dang Gui Is acrid, sweet, and warming. It nourishes and invigoratesthe Blood, so as to support Bai Shao in harmonizing the Liver and Chuan Xiong in invigorating the Blood.
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Fu Ling
Fu Ling

Poria-cocos mushrooms

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried sclerotium
Role in Dang Gui Shao Yao San
In general Fu Ling's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit."

In the context of Dang Gui Shao Yao San, it is used because it tonifies the Qi and leach out Dampness.
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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 Dang Gui Shao Yao San
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 Dang Gui Shao Yao San, it is used because it tonifies the Qi and leach out Dampness.
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Mi Jiu
Mi Jiu

Rice wine

Temperature Hot
Taste Bitter, Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Liver
Parts Used Fermented rice
Role in Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Mi Jiu is warm and acrid. A small amount of wine encourages the free flow of Liver Qi and promotes urination, thereby reinforcing both of the formula's functions.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Dang Gui Shao Yao San

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

Contraindications

Currently, it is advised to exercise caution when using this formula during pregnancy. This is primarily due to the potential impact of a high dosage of Chuan Xiong on the fetus, especially in expectant mothers who are dealing with deficient and weak Kidney Qi.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Dang Gui Shao Yao 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.