Formula Formulas that dredge and disperse External Wind

Dang Gui Yin Zi

当归饮子

Also known as:

Dong Quai Drink , Tangkuei Drink , Dang Gui Yin

Formula Composition

Jing Jie
Jing Jie
Fang Feng
Fang Feng
Di Huang
Di Huang
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Ji Li
Ji Li
He Shou Wu
He Shou Wu
Huang Qi
Huang Qi
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Nourishes the Blood
  2. Moistens Dryness
  3. Clears Heat
  4. Dispels Wind
  5. Relieves itching

Patterns Treated

Blood Deficiency with External Wind

Historical Origin

Formulas to Aid the Living (1253 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Dang Gui Yin Zi

Main Actions

Nourishes the Blood
Moistens Dryness
Clears Heat
Dispels Wind
Relieves itching

Key TCM Concepts

Dang Gui Yin Zi is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie) and Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1253 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that dredge and disperse External Wind. Its main actions are: 1) nourishes the Blood and 2) moistens Dryness.

 

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 Yin Zi is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Blood Deficiency with External Wind. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as urticaria, eczema or psoriasis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Blood Deficiency with External Wind

Common Applications

Urticaria Eczema Psoriasis Contact dermatitis Drug rash Diaper rash Neurodermatitis Ichthyosis Rashes Measles Radiotherapy for breast cancer Alopecia Carbuncles Furuncles Drug-induced dermatitis Pruritis associated with AIDS

Ingredients in Dang Gui Yin Zi

Detailed information about each herb in Dang Gui Yin Zi and their roles

Kings
Assistants
Envoys
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 Dang Gui Yin Zi
Jing Jie unblocks the interstices and pores as well as disperses external Wind. It also vents rashes and relieves itching.
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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 Dang Gui Yin Zi
Fang Feng unblocks the interstices and pores and disperses external Wind. It also vents rashes and relieves itching.
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Di Huang
Di Huang

Unprepared Rehmannia

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Prepared dried root tuber
Role in Dang Gui Yin Zi
In general Sheng Di Huang's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat by Cooling Blood. Tonifies Yin by promoting Fluid production. Soothes the Heart by calming Blazing Fire. Cools and nourishes."

In the context of Dang Gui Yin Zi, it is used because it cools the Blood and clears Heat. It also nourishes Yin and generate Body Fluids.
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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 Yin Zi
Dang Gui tonifies, invigorates and harmonizes the Blood. Therefore it is able to reduce swelling, expels pus, generates flesh and alleviates pain.
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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 Yin Zi
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 Dang Gui Yin Zi, it is used because it clears Heat, resolves toxicity, and harmonizes the actions of the other herbs.
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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 Yin Zi
Bai Shao nourishes the Blood, softens the Liver, relieves pain and calms Liver Yang and Wind. With Dang Gui, it nourishes Yin and 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 Dang Gui Yin Zi
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 Dang Gui Yin Zi, it is used because it invigorates the Blood, promotes the movement of Qi, expels Wind and alleviates pain.
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Ji Li
Ji Li

Puncture vine fruits

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Dang Gui Yin Zi
Ji Li calms the Liver, anchors Yang, dredges Liver Qi, disperses Stagnation, dispels Wind and stops itching.
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He Shou Wu
He Shou Wu

Fleeceflower roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried prepared root
Role in Dang Gui Yin Zi
He Shou Wu tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, nourishes the Blood and Essence and expels Wind from the skin by nourishing the Blood.
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Huang Qi
Huang Qi

Milkvetch roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Dang Gui Yin Zi
In general Huang Qi's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Wei Qi and stops perspiration. Tonifies the Spleen Qi and the Yang Qi of the Earth Element. Tonifies the Qi and Blood. Expels pus and assists in the healing of wounds. Helps to regulate water metabolism in the body and reduce edema."

In the context of Dang Gui Yin Zi, it is used because it tonifies Qi and Blood.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Dang Gui Yin Zi

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, Dang Gui Yin Zi may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.