Formula Formulas that warm and transform water and Dampness

Fu Zi Tang

附子汤

Also known as:

Aconite Accessory Root Decoction

Formula Composition

Zhi Fu Zi
Zhi Fu Zi
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
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King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Warms the Meridians
  2. Assists the Yang
  3. Dispels Cold
  4. Transforms Dampness

Patterns Treated

Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp

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 Fu Zi Tang

Main Actions

Warms the Meridians
Assists the Yang
Dispels Cold
Transforms Dampness

Key TCM Concepts

Fu Zi Tang is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm and transform water and Dampness. Its main actions are: 1) warms the Meridians and 2) assists the Yang.

 

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 Fu Zi Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as migraine, cluster headache or trigeminal neuralgia for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp

Common Applications

Migraine Cluster headache Trigeminal neuralgia Bell's palsy Piriformis syndrome Rheumatoid arthritis Cervical spine disease Periarthritis of the shoulder Ankylosing spondylitis Lumbar disc disease Essential tremor Chronic nephritis Nephrotic syndrome Cirrhosis Chronic bronchitis Cardiac disease Congestive heart failure Uterine prolapse Erectile dysfunction

Ingredients in Fu Zi Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Fu Zi Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Zhi Fu Zi
Zhi Fu Zi

Prepared aconite

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Spleen
Parts Used Processed daughter root
Role in Fu Zi Tang
Zhi Fu Zi penetrates into the Gate of Vitality to invigorate the Yang and disperses Cold from all twelve Meridians. As noted by Zhang Jie-Bin, a famous Chinese medicine doctor: "[Prepared aconite (Zhi Fu Zi)] is an essential herb for Yin-type patterns. In all cases of Cold damage that transmit or transform into [disorders of one of] the three Yin [warps] as well as in [direct] Cold strike into the Yin [warps], if the pulse is submerged, it must be used even if there is high fever."
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Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu

Atractylodes rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Fu Zi Tang
Bai Zhu works together with Poria (Fu Ling), the other deputy herb here, to strengthen the Spleen, promote urination, and provide a route for the Dampness to exit the body.
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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 Fu Zi 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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Ren Shen
Ren Shen

Ginseng

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Fu Zi Tang
Ren Shen strongly tonifies the original Qi but also generates Fluids, providing the organism with a basis for re-establishing normal physiological functioning.
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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 Fu Zi Tang
Bai Shao complements the actions of the key herb, Prepared aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) because it is cooling and restrains the Yin. Nourishing the Yin provides a substratum to which the Yang generated by Prepared aconite can attach itself, keeping it in the Interior and preventing it from dissipating to the Exterior.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Fu Zi Tang

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

Contraindications

If not properly prepared, the main ingredient of this formula (Aconite) is toxic. For this reason, only the prepared form should be used and then cooked appropriately.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Fu Zi 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.