Formula Formulas that clear Wind-Cold

Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang

九味羌活汤

Also known as:

Nine-Herb Decoction with Notopterygium

Formula Composition

Qiang Huo
Qiang Huo
Fang Feng
Fang Feng
Cang Zhu
Cang Zhu
Xi Xin
Xi Xin
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Bai Zhi
Bai Zhi
Huang Qin
Huang Qin
Di Huang
Di Huang
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Induces sweating
  2. Dispels Dampness
  3. Expels Wind-Cold
  4. Clears Interior Heat

Patterns Treated

Wind-Cold, Damp-Wind

Historical Origin

Hard-Won Knowledge (1308 AD )

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang

Main Actions

Induces sweating
Dispels Dampness
Expels Wind-Cold
Clears Interior Heat

Key TCM Concepts

Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1308 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Wind-Cold. Its main actions are: 1) induces sweating and 2) dispels Dampness.

 

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 Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Wind-Cold or Damp-Wind. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as common cold, migraine or urticaria for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Wind-Cold
  • Damp-Wind

Common Applications

Common cold Migraine Urticaria Sinusitis Facial nerve palsy Torticollis Fibromyalgia Tenosynovitis Lumbar strain Erysipelas Acute myocarditis Rheumatoid arthritis

Ingredients in Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Qiang Huo
Qiang Huo

Notopterygium roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried rhizome and root
Role in Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang
In general Qiang Huo's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold and Dampness. Relieves Wind-Damp-Cold painful obstruction. Directs Qi to the Greater Yang (Tai Yang) channel and the Governing Vessel."

In the context of Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang, it is used because it is aromatic. It is the principal herbs for dispersing Exterior Wind, Cold and Dampness.
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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 Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang
Fang Feng together with Black atractylodes rhizome, assists the key herb in releasing the Exterior and eliminating Dampness.
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Cang Zhu
Cang Zhu

Black atractylodes rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used The dried rhizome
Role in Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang
In general Cang Zhu's main actions are as follows: "Dries Damp and tonifies the Spleen. Relieves the Exterior for invasion of Wind-Cold-Damp. Relieves Wind-Damp painful obstruction. Dries Damp for either Damp-Cold or Damp-Heat when combined with the correct herbs. Clears the eyes and improves sight."

In the context of Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang, it is used because it like Saposhnikovia root, assists the key herb in releasing the Exterior and eliminating Dampness.
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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 Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang
In general Xi Xin's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and warms the Yang. Expels Cold and relieves pain. Warms the Lungs and reduces Phlegm. Moves the Qi and disperses Phlegm to open the nasal passages."

In the context of Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang, it is used because it assists the key herb in releasing the Exterior. It also relives headache and body pain.
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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 Jiu Wei Qiang Huo 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."

In the context of Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang, it is used because it assists the key herb in releasing the Exterior. It also relives headache and body pain.
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Bai Zhi
Bai Zhi

Angelica roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang
In general Bai Zhi's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Wind. Disperses Wind and Cold from the Yang Brightness channels. Relieves Wind-Damp Cold painful obstruction. Dries Dampness and pus and reduces swelling. Opens the nasal passages."

In the context of Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang, it is used because it assists the key herb in releasing the Exterior. It also relives headache and body pain.
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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 Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang
In general Huang Qin's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat and Dampness. Clears Upper Burner Heat, especially of the Lung. Clears Heat and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears pathogenic Heat which is upsetting the fetus. Cools the Liver, reducing Liver Yang rising syndrome."

In the context of Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang, it is used because it clears Interior Heat in the Qi and Blood according to the Four Level Theory.
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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 Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang
Sheng Di Huang relieves the thirst and bitter taste in the mouth. It also protect the Body Fluids from the dry nature of the other herbs.
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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 Jiu Wei Qiang Huo 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 Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang, it is used because it harmonizes the the actions of the other herbs and the Middle Burner.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Jiu Wei Qiang Huo 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 contraindicated to treat diseases with warm or heat Pernicious Factors such as Damp-Heat, especially these with Yin Deficiency. It is because the formula is of acrid and drying nature.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Jiu Wei Qiang Huo 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.