Formula External formulas for External disorders

Hai Tong Pi Tang

海桐皮汤

Also known as:

Erythrina Wash

Formula Composition

Hai Tong Pi
Hai Tong Pi
Bai Zhi
Bai Zhi
Tou Gu Cao
Tou Gu Cao
Hua Jiao
Hua Jiao
Wei Ling Xian
Wei Ling Xian
Fang Feng
Fang Feng
Ru Xiang
Ru Xiang
Mo Yao
Mo Yao
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Hong Hua
Hong Hua
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Invigorates the Blood
  2. Disperses swelling
  3. Dispels Wind, Dampness and Cold
  4. Removes Stagnation and relieves pain

Patterns Treated

Blood Stagnation, Damp-Wind

Historical Origin

Golden Mirror of the Medical Tradition (1742 AD )

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Hai Tong Pi Tang

Main Actions

Invigorates the Blood
Disperses swelling
Dispels Wind, Dampness and Cold
Removes Stagnation and relieves pain

Key TCM Concepts

Hai Tong Pi Tang is a 12-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Erythrinae Barks (Hai Tong Pi) and Angelica Roots (Bai Zhi) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1742 AD, it belongs to the category of external formulas for External disorders. Its main actions are: 1) invigorates the Blood and 2) disperses swelling.

 

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 Hai Tong Pi Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Blood Stagnation or Damp-Wind. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as trauma for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Blood Stagnation
  • Damp-Wind

Ingredients in Hai Tong Pi Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Hai Tong Pi Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Hai Tong Pi
Hai Tong Pi

Erythrinae barks

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used The bark
Role in Hai Tong Pi Tang
Hai Tong Pi unblocks the Channels, invigorates the collaterals, dispel Dampness, and relieves pain. Erythrinae bark, Garden Balsam, Clematis root, Angelica root, Saposhnikovia root and Sichuan pepper shares similar functions.
View herb details
Bai Zhi
Bai Zhi

Angelica roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Hai Tong Pi Tang
Bai Zhi unblocks the Channels, invigorates the collaterals, dispel Dampness, and relieves pain. Erythrinae bark, Garden Balsam, Clematis root, Angelica root, Saposhnikovia root and Sichuan pepper shares similar functions.
View herb details
Tou Gu Cao
Tou Gu Cao

Garden Balsam Stems

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used The whole plant
Role in Hai Tong Pi Tang
Tou Gu Cao unblocks the Channels, invigorates the collaterals, dispel Dampness, and relieves pain. Erythrinae bark, Garden Balsam, Clematis root, Angelica root, Saposhnikovia root and Sichuan pepper shares similar functions.
View herb details
Hua Jiao
Hua Jiao

Sichuan pepper

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried pericarp of ripe fruit
Role in Hai Tong Pi Tang
Hua Jiao unblocks the Channels, invigorates the collaterals, dispel Dampness, and relieves pain. Erythrinae bark, Garden Balsam, Clematis root, Angelica root, Saposhnikovia root and Sichuan pepper shares similar functions.
View herb details
Wei Ling Xian
Wei Ling Xian

Clematis roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Salty
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Hai Tong Pi Tang
Wei Ling Xian unblocks the Channels, invigorates the collaterals, dispel Dampness, and relieves pain. Erythrinae bark, Garden Balsam, Clematis root, Angelica root, Saposhnikovia root and Sichuan pepper shares similar functions.
View herb details
Fang Feng
Fang Feng

Saposhnikovia roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Hai Tong Pi Tang
Fang Feng unblocks the Channels, invigorates the collaterals, dispel Dampness, and relieves pain. Erythrinae bark, Garden Balsam, Clematis root, Angelica root, Saposhnikovia root and Sichuan pepper shares similar functions.
View herb details
Ru Xiang
Ru Xiang

Frankincense

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Heart, Liver
Parts Used An aromatic resin obtained from boswellia trees
Role in Hai Tong Pi Tang
Ru Xiang invigorates the Blood and move Blood Stagnation. Together with the Wind-Damp dispersing nature of the key and deputy herbs, this formula effectively clears stasis from the channels and collaterals, reduces swelling, dispels Wind-Damp and promotes an environment where healing isless obstructed by the pathogens of Wind, Dampness, Cold, and Stagnation.
View herb details
Mo Yao
Mo Yao

Myrrh

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Spleen, Heart, Liver
Parts Used Dried resin of the tree
Role in Hai Tong Pi Tang
Mo Yao invigorates the Blood and move Blood Stagnation. Together with the Wind-Damp dispersing nature of the key and deputy herbs, this formula effectively clears stasis from the channels and collaterals, reduces swelling, dispels Wind-Damp and promotes an environment where healing isless obstructed by the pathogens of Wind, Dampness, Cold, and Stagnation.
View herb details
Dang Gui
Dang Gui

Dong quai

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Hai Tong Pi Tang
Dang Gui invigorates the Blood and move Blood Stagnation. Together with the Wind-Damp dispersing nature of the key and deputy herbs, this formula effectively clears stasis from the channels and collaterals, reduces swelling, dispels Wind-Damp and promotes an environment where healing isless obstructed by the pathogens of Wind, Dampness, Cold, and Stagnation.
View herb details
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong

Szechuan lovage roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Hai Tong Pi Tang
Chuan Xiong invigorates the Blood and move Blood Stagnation. Together with the Wind-Damp dispersing nature of the key and deputy herbs, this formula effectively clears stasis from the channels and collaterals, reduces swelling, dispels Wind-Damp and promotes an environment where healing isless obstructed by the pathogens of Wind, Dampness, Cold, and Stagnation.
View herb details
Hong Hua
Hong Hua

Safflowers

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver
Parts Used Dried flower
Role in Hai Tong Pi Tang
Hong Hua invigorates the Blood and move Blood Stagnation. Together with the Wind-Damp dispersing nature of the key and deputy herbs, this formula effectively clears stasis from the channels and collaterals, reduces swelling, dispels Wind-Damp and promotes an environment where healing isless obstructed by the pathogens of Wind, Dampness, Cold, and Stagnation.
View herb details
Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Hai Tong Pi 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 Hai Tong Pi Tang, it is used because it moderates the pain and harmonizes the actions of the other ingredients.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Hai Tong Pi Tang

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, Hai Tong Pi 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.