Formula Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs

Dao Chi San

导赤散

Also known as:

Eliminating Redness Powder , Guide Out the Red Powder

Formula Composition

Mu Tong
Mu Tong
Di Huang
Di Huang
Dan Zhu Ye
Dan Zhu Ye
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistant
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula
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From $23.00

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Clears the Heart
  2. Promotes urination

Patterns Treated

Full-Heat in the Small Intestine

Historical Origin

Craft of Medicinal Treatment for Childhood Disease Patterns (1119 AD)

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Dao Chi San

Main Actions

Clears the Heart
Promotes urination

Key TCM Concepts

Dao Chi San is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Akebia Stems (Mu Tong) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1119 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat from the Organs. Its main actions are: 1) clears the Heart and 2) promotes urination.

 

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 Dao Chi San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Full-Heat in the Small Intestine. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as stomatitis, oral thrush or night terrors for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Full-Heat in the Small Intestine

Common Applications

Stomatitis Oral thrush Night terrors Pyelonephritis Cystitis Urinary stones

Ingredients in Dao Chi San

Detailed information about each herb in Dao Chi San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Mu Tong
Mu Tong

Akebia stems

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Small Intestine
Parts Used Dried stem
Role in Dao Chi San
Mu Tong clears Heat from the Heart Channel in the upper body, and clears Heat and promotes urination within the Small Intestine Channel below.
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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 Dao Chi San
Sheng Di Huang enters the Heart to cool the Blood as well as the Kidneys to nourish the Yin and generate Fluids (strengthening the Kidney Water), which controls Heart Fire.
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Dan Zhu Ye
Dan Zhu Ye

Lophatherum herbs

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Small Intestine, Stomach
Parts Used Dried stem and leaf
Role in Dao Chi San
In general Dan Zhu Ye's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and aids thirst. Aids urination and drains Damp-Heat."

In the context of Dao Chi San, it is used because it is used to alleviate irritability by clearing Heat from the Heart.
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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 Dao Chi San
Gan Cao treats painful urinary dribbling, in addition to resolving toxicity and harmonizing the actions of the other herbs in the formula.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Dao Chi San

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

Contraindications

Use with caution in cases of Spleen and Stomach deficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Dao Chi 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.