Formula Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation

Di Dang Tang

抵当汤

Also known as:

Appropriate Decoction

Formula Composition

Shui Zhi
Shui Zhi
Meng Chong
Meng Chong
Tao Ren
Tao Ren
Da Huang
Da Huang
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Breaks up and dispels Blood Stagnation

Patterns Treated

Blood Stagnation

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 Di Dang Tang

Main Actions

Breaks up and dispels Blood Stagnation

Key TCM Concepts

Di Dang Tang is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Leeches (Shui Zhi) and Tabanus Horseflies (Meng Chong) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation. Its main action is that it breaks up and dispels Blood Stagnation .

 

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 Di Dang Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Blood Stagnation. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as acute pelvic inflammatory, leiomyoma or endometriosis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Blood Stagnation

Common Applications

Acute pelvic inflammatory Leiomyoma Endometriosis Dysmenorrhea Amenorrhea Retained placenta Postpartum thrombophlebitis Benign prostatic hypertrophy Acute prostatitis Testicular tuberculosis Acute urinary retention Angina pectoris Cerebrovascular disease Cor pulmonale Schizophrenia Mania Epilepsy Icteric hepatitis Chronic colitis Habitual constipation Schistosomiasis

Ingredients in Di Dang Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Di Dang Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Shui Zhi
Shui Zhi

Leeches

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Salty
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Liver
Parts Used The dried worm body
Role in Di Dang Tang
Shui Zhi is salty, bitter, neutral, and slightly toxic. It enters the Liver Channel and expels Blood Stagnation. It has the special characteristic of entering only the Blood aspect, allowing it to expel Stagnant Blood without damaging the Qi.
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Meng Chong
Meng Chong

Tabanus horseflies

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Liver
Parts Used The dried bug
Role in Di Dang Tang
Meng Chong is slightly bitter and slightly cooling. Like the other key herb Leech, it also enters the Liver Channel and is even stronger than Leech in breaking up Blood Stagnation. These two herbs have a synergy that makes this formula one of the strongest in expelling Blood Stagnation.
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Tao Ren
Tao Ren

Peach kernels

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Large Intestine, Liver
Parts Used Dried ripe seed
Role in Di Dang Tang
Tao Ren assists the key herbs in expelling Blood Stagnation. It also opens the bowels, following the momentum ofthe pathology (eg: the downward movement of Heat and its clumping in the Lower Burner) to create a route for the Heat to leave the body.
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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 Di Dang Tang
Da Huang assists the key herbs in expelling Blood Stagnation. It also opens the bowels, following the momentum ofthe pathology (eg: the downward movement of Heat and its clumping in the Lower Burner) to create a route for the Heat to leave the body.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Di Dang Tang

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

Contraindications

This formula is indicated only for Excess-type Blood Stagnation patterns in the Lower Burner. It should not be prescribed in case of Deficiency or during pregnancy.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Di Dang 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.