Formula Formulas that stop bleeding

Huang Tu Tang

黄土汤

Also known as:

Yellow Earth Decoction

Formula Composition

Zao Xin Tu
Zao Xin Tu
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
Zhi Fu Zi
Zhi Fu Zi
Di Huang
Di Huang
E Jiao
E Jiao
Huang Qin
Huang Qin
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
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King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Warms the Yang
  2. Strengthens the Spleen
  3. Nourishes the Blood
  4. Stops bleeding

Patterns Treated

Spleen Yang Deficiency

Historical Origin

Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (220 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Huang Tu Tang

Main Actions

Warms the Yang
Strengthens the Spleen
Nourishes the Blood
Stops bleeding

Key TCM Concepts

Huang Tu Tang is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Stove Earth (Zao Xin Tu) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that stop bleeding. Its main actions are: 1) warms the Yang and 2) strengthens the Spleen.

 

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 Huang Tu Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Spleen Yang Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as chronic hemorrhagic gastritis or peptic ulcers for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Spleen Yang Deficiency

Common Applications

Chronic hemorrhagic gastritis Peptic ulcers

Ingredients in Huang Tu Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Huang Tu Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Zao Xin Tu
Zao Xin Tu

Stove earth

Temperature Warm
Taste Sour
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used The earth
Role in Huang Tu Tang
Zao Xin Tu is acrid, warm, and astringent. It warms the Middle Burner, gathers and binds, and stops the bleeding.
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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 Huang Tu Tang
Bai Zhu warms the Yang and strengthens the Spleen, thereby restoring the ability of the Spleen and Stomach Qi to govern the Blood. Therefore, this herb is able to stop bleeding due to Spleen Qi and Yang Deficiency. It also counterbalances the cloying, greasy, Yin and Blood tonifying nature of the assistant herbs of the formula.
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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 Huang Tu Tang
Zhi Fu Zi warms the Yang and strengthens the Spleen, thereby restoring the ability of the Spleen and Stomach Qi to govern the Blood. Therefore, this herb is able to stop bleeding due to Spleen Qi and Yang Deficiency. It also counterbalances the cloying, greasy, Yin and Blood tonifying nature of the assistant herbs of the formula.
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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 Huang Tu Tang
Sheng Di Huang nourishes the Yin and Blood and stop bleeding. Long-term blood loss can lead to Liver Yin and Blood Deficiency, which risks the development of internal Heat. This herb is added because the warming and acrid herbs in this formula posesa problem when there is bleeding, as they accentuate the depletion of the Blood and Yin that occurs just from the loss of blood itself. In addition, their warming nature can incite the reckless movement of Blood that can lead to further bleeding. Together with other assistant herb of the formula, it counterbalance the warming and drying nature of Atractylodes rhizome and Prepared aconite.
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E Jiao
E Jiao

Donkey-hide gelatin

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Solid glue prepared from the dried or fresh skin of donkeys
Role in Huang Tu Tang
E Jiao nourishes the Yin and Blood and stop bleeding. Long-term blood loss can lead to Liver Yin and Blood Deficiency, which risks the development of internal Heat. This herb is added because the warming and acrid herbs in this formula posesa problem when there is bleeding, as they accentuate the depletion of the Blood and Yin that occurs just from the loss of blood itself. In addition, their warming nature can incite the reckless movement of Blood that can lead to further bleeding. Together with other assistant herb of the formula, it counterbalance the warming and drying nature of Atractylodes rhizome and Prepared aconite.
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Huang Qin
Huang Qin

Baikal skullcap roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Large Intestine, Lungs, Small Intestine, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Huang Tu Tang
Huang Qin is cold and bitter. It clears Liver Heat and also cools the Blood to prevent this from occurring, especially in concert with Unprepared Rehmannia. Together with other assistant herb of the formula, it counterbalance the warming and drying nature of Atractylodes rhizome and Prepared aconite.
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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 Huang Tu 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 Huang Tu Tang, it is used because it harmonizes the Middle Burner and the actions of the other herbs in the formula.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Huang Tu Tang

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated in cases of bleeding from Excess Heat. Also, this formula should not be used where external pathogens are present.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Huang Tu 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.