Formula Formulas that warm Interior Cold

Dang Gui Si Ni Tang

当归四逆汤

Also known as:

Dong Quai Decoction for Frigid Extremities , Angelica Four Rebellious Decoction , Tangkuei Decoction for Frigid Extremities

Formula Composition

Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Xi Xin
Xi Xin
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Da Zao
Da Zao
Mu Tong
Mu Tong
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Warms the Channels
  2. Disperses Cold
  3. Nourishes the Blood
  4. Unblocks the Blood vessels

Patterns Treated

Heart Vessel obstructed

Historical Origin

Discussion of Cold Damage (220 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Dang Gui Si Ni Tang

Main Actions

Warms the Channels
Disperses Cold
Nourishes the Blood
Unblocks the Blood vessels

Key TCM Concepts

Dang Gui Si Ni Tang is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Dong Quai (Dang Gui) and Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm Interior Cold. Its main actions are: 1) warms the Channels 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 Dang Gui Si Ni Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Heart Vessel obstructed. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as vascular headache, raynaud's disease or thromboangiitis obliterans for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Heart Vessel obstructed

Common Applications

Vascular headache Raynaud's disease Thromboangiitis obliterans Frostbite Impotence Varicocele Scleroderma Takayasu's arteritis Basilar artery insufficiency Coronary artery insufficiency

Ingredients in Dang Gui Si Ni Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Dang Gui Si Ni Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Dang Gui
Dang Gui

Dong quai

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Dang Gui Si Ni Tang
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 Dang Gui Si Ni Tang, it is used because it is acrid, sweet, and warming. It tonifies and invigorates the Blood to disperse Cold.
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Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi

Cinnamon twigs

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried young branches
Role in Dang Gui Si Ni Tang
Gui Zhi warms the Channels and disperses Cold from the nutritive Qi. In addition, together with White peony root, they harmonize the protective and nutritive Qi so as to eliminate Cold from the more superficial levels of the body.
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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 Dang Gui Si Ni Tang
Bai Shao strengthens the key ingredient Dong Quai's Blood tonifying effect. In addition, together with Cinnamon twigs, they harmonize the protective and nutritive Qi so as to eliminate Cold from the more superficial levels of the body.
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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 Dang Gui Si Ni Tang
In general Xi Xin's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and warms the Yang. Expels Cold and relieves pain. Warms the Lungs and reduces Phlegm. Moves the Qi and disperses Phlegm to open the nasal passages."

In the context of Dang Gui Si Ni Tang, it is used because it , together with Cinnamon twigs, disperses both Internal and External Cold.
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Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Dang Gui Si Ni Tang
Gan Cao supports Qi and strengthens the Spleen. It assists Dong Quai and White peony root in tonifying the Blood. It also helps Cinnamon twigs and Wild ginger in facilitating Qi flow.
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Da Zao
Da Zao

Jujube dates

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Dang Gui Si Ni Tang
Da Zao supports Qi and strengthens the Spleen. It assists Dong Quai and White peony root in tonifying the Blood. It also helps Cinnamon twigs and Wild ginger in facilitating Qi flow.
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Mu Tong
Mu Tong

Akebia stems

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Small Intestine
Parts Used Dried stem
Role in Dang Gui Si Ni Tang
Mu Tong facilitates flows inside channels and vessels. It also balances the warming effect of other ingredients by removing any excessive Heat. This strengthens the actions of the other ingredients and focuses their effects on the channels and vessels.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Dang Gui Si Ni Tang

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated in patients with Fire or Heat Patterns or with Yin Deficiency pattern as it can injure Body Fluids further. It should also be used with caution during Hot season such as summer or in warm environment.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Dang Gui Si Ni 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.