Formula Formulas that dispel Wind-Damp

Juan Bi Tang

蠲痹汤

Also known as:

Remove Painful Obstruction Decoction

Formula Composition

Qiang Huo
Qiang Huo
Fang Feng
Fang Feng
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Huang Qi
Huang Qi
Jiang Huang
Jiang Huang
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Da Zao
Da Zao
Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang
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Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistant
Supports
Envoys
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Tonifies and harmonizes the Protective and Nutritive Qi
  2. Dispels Wind
  3. Eliminates Dampness

Patterns Treated

Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency

Historical Origin

Yang Family Formulas (1178 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Juan Bi Tang

Main Actions

Tonifies and harmonizes the Protective and Nutritive Qi
Dispels Wind
Eliminates Dampness

Key TCM Concepts

Juan Bi Tang is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo) and Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1178 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that dispel Wind-Damp. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies and harmonizes the Protective and Nutritive Qi and 2) dispels Wind.

 

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 Juan Bi Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as periarthritis of the shoulder or rheumatoid arthritis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency

Common Applications

Periarthritis of the shoulder Rheumatoid arthritis

Ingredients in Juan Bi Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Juan Bi 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 Juan Bi Tang
Qiang Huo is known to be the best herb in the Chinese Materia Medica for dispelling Wind-Dampness from the upper body.
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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 Juan Bi 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 Juan Bi Tang, it is used because it opens the Yang and dispels Dampness without being too drying.
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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 Juan Bi Tang
Dang Gui works together with White Peony root (Shao Yao), another deputy here, to nourish the Blood and harmonize the Nutritive Qi, thereby facilitating the dispelling of the pathogenic Qi.
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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 Juan Bi 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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Huang Qi
Huang Qi

Milkvetch roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Juan Bi Tang
Huang Qi augments the Qi and firms up the protective Qi. In combination with Saposhnikovia root (Fang Feng), it dispels Wind-Damp, while in combination with Dong Quai (Dang Gui) and White peony root (Shao Yao), it harmonizes the nutritive and protective Qi.
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Jiang Huang
Jiang Huang

Turmeric

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Juan Bi Tang
Jiang Huang invigorates the Blood and moves the Qi. It is specific for spasms and pain in the shoulders and upper arms.
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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 Juan Bi 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 Juan Bi Tang, it is used because it harmonizes the functions of the other herbs.
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Da Zao
Da Zao

Jujube dates

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Juan Bi Tang
Da Zao works together with Fresh ginger (Sheng Jiang), another envoy in this formula, to harmonize the nutritive and protective Qi, enhancing the formula's ability to dispel Wind and Dampness.
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Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang

Fresh ginger

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Fresh root
Role in Juan Bi Tang
In general Sheng Jiang's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning."
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Juan Bi 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, Juan Bi 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.