Formula Formulas that dispel Wind-Damp

Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang

独活寄生汤

Also known as:

Du Huo and Loranthes Combination , Pubescent Angelica and Taxillus Decoction

Formula Composition

Du Huo
Du Huo
Xi Xin
Xi Xin
Fang Feng
Fang Feng
Qin Jiao
Qin Jiao
Sang Ji Sheng
Sang Ji Sheng
Du Zhong
Du Zhong
Niu Xi
Niu Xi
Rou Gui
Rou Gui
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Di Huang
Di Huang
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
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King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula
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From $23.00

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Anti-rheumatic, clears Wind, Cold and Damp Stagnation
  2. Strengthens the function of the Liver and Kidney
  3. Tonifies Qi and Blood

Patterns Treated

Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency

Historical Origin

Important Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces (650 AD)

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang

Main Actions

Anti-rheumatic, clears Wind, Cold and Damp Stagnation
Strengthens the function of the Liver and Kidney
Tonifies Qi and Blood

Key TCM Concepts

Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang is a 15-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Pubescent Angelica Roots (Du Huo) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 650 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that dispel Wind-Damp. Its main actions are: 1) anti-rheumatic, clears Wind, Cold and Damp Stagnation and 2) strengthens the function of the Liver and Kidney.

 

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 Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as chronic lower back pain, sciatica or osteoarthritis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency

Common Applications

Chronic lower back pain Sciatica Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid arthritis Periarthritis of the shoulder Lumbar disc disease Temporomandibular joint dysfunction Eczema

Ingredients in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Du Huo
Du Huo

Pubescent angelica roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
In general Du Huo's main actions are as follows: "Disperses Wind, Cold, Dampness. Relieves pain"

In the context of Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, it is used because it expels Wind, Dampness, and Cold from the Lower-Burner, bones, and sinews.
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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 Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Xi Xin scatters Cold in the Channels and scours out Wind-Dampness from the sinews and bones to stop the pain.
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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 Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
In general Fang Feng's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Relieves Wind-Damp-Cold painful obstruction. Disperses Wind."

In the context of Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, it is used because it expels the Wind and overcomes Dampness.
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Qin Jiao
Qin Jiao

Gentian roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Stomach, Liver
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
In general Qin Jiao's main actions are as follows: "Clears either acute or chronic, Cold or Hot Wind-Damp conditions. Clears Heat from Yin Deficiency. Lubricates the Intestines and promotes bowel movements."

In the context of Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, it is used because it relaxes the sinews and expels the Wind and Dampness.
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Sang Ji Sheng
Sang Ji Sheng

Mulberry Mistletoe

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried stem and branch with leaf
Role in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Sang Ji Sheng works together with Achyranthes root (Niu Xi) and Unprepared Rehmannia (Sheng Di Huang), other assistants in this formula, to expel Wind-Dampness and tonify the Liver and Kidneys.
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Du Zhong
Du Zhong

Eucommia bark

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried stem bark
Role in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
In general Du Zhong's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys. Calms ascendant Liver Yang (hypertension/high blood pressure). Calms a restless fetus."
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Niu Xi
Niu Xi

Achyranthes roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
In general Niu Xi's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood and relieves pain in the raw state. Tonic to the Liver and Kidneys and strengthens the bones and sinews. Reduces Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner. Regulates the flow of reckless Blood caused by either ascendant Liver Yang or Yin Deficient Fire."
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Rou Gui
Rou Gui

Cinnamon bark

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried stem bark
Role in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Rou Gui warms and unblocks the Channels and fortifies the Yang. It opens up the lower back and is an important herb for treating lower back pain.
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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 Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Dang Gui works together with Szechuan lovage roots (Chuan Xiong), Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) and White peony roots (Bai Shao), other assistants in this formula, to nourish and invigorate the 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 Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
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."
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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 Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
In general Bai Shao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain."
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Ren Shen
Ren Shen

Ginseng

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Ren Shen works together with Poria-cocos mushrooms (Fu Ling), another assistant here, to strengthen the Spleen (always crucial when treating conditions with Dampness, especially chronic ones).
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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 Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
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."
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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 Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
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."
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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 Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
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 Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, it is used because it tonifies the middle Qi and harmonizes the actions of the other herbs in the formula.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang

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

Contraindications

Contradicted for acute inflammatory stages of lumbago, sciatica and arthritic conditions, because it is a heating formula.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Du Huo Ji Sheng 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.