Formula Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation

Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang

舒经活血汤

Also known as:

Relax the Channels and Invigorate the Blood Decoction , Clematis and Stephania Combination

Formula Composition

Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Di Huang
Di Huang
Tao Ren
Tao Ren
Cang Zhu
Cang Zhu
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Niu Xi
Niu Xi
Wei Ling Xian
Wei Ling Xian
Fang Ji
Fang Ji
Qiang Huo
Qiang Huo
Fang Feng
Fang Feng
Long Dan Cao
Long Dan Cao
Bai Zhi
Bai Zhi
Chen Pi
Chen Pi
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
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Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula
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Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Expels Wind Damp from the Channels
  2. Invigorates Blood
  3. Unblocks the channels

Patterns Treated

Dampness invading the Channels joints and muscles

Historical Origin

Restoration of Health from the Myriad Diseases (1587 AD )

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang

Main Actions

Expels Wind Damp from the Channels
Invigorates Blood
Unblocks the channels

Key TCM Concepts

Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang is a 16-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Dong Quai (Dang Gui) and White Peony Roots (Bai Shao) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1587 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation. Its main actions are: 1) expels Wind Damp from the Channels and 2) invigorates Blood.

 

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 Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Dampness invading the Channels joints and muscles. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as arthralgia, bell's palsy or neuralgias for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Dampness invading the Channels joints and muscles

Common Applications

Arthralgia Bell's palsy Neuralgias Neuralgia Lumbago Sciatica Hypertension Edema Paresthesia Peripheral neuropathy Arthritis Gout Purpura Hemiplegia Beriberi Monoplegia

Ingredients in Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Dang Gui
Dang Gui

Dong quai

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang
In general Dang Gui's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation."

In the context of Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang, it is used because it invigorates the Blood and harmonize the Nutritive 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 Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang
Bai Shao helps reduce the muscle spasms caused by Blood Deficiency and it is particularly well-suited to treat abdominal 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 Shu Jing Huo Xue 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 Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang, it is used because it invigorates the Blood and harmonize the Nutritive Qi.
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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 Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang
In general Sheng Di Huang's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat by Cooling Blood. Tonifies Yin by promoting Fluid production. Soothes the Heart by calming Blazing Fire. Cools and nourishes."

In the context of Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang, it is used because it expels Heat by cooling Blood and tonifies Yin by generating Body Fluids.
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Tao Ren
Tao Ren

Peach kernels

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Large Intestine, Liver
Parts Used Dried ripe seed
Role in Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang
In general Tao Ren's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood and breaks up Stasis. Moistens the Intestines. Relieves coughing."

In the context of Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang, it is used because it invigorates Blood, removes Blood stagnation, and unblocks the Channels.
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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 Shu Jing Huo Xue 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 Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang, it is used because it releases Wind Cold Damp from the Exterior and relieves Wind Damp obstruction pain. .
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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 Shu Jing Huo Xue 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."

In the context of Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang, it is used because it encourages urination and drains Dampness. .
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Niu Xi
Niu Xi

Achyranthes roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang
Niu Xi invigorates the Blood circulation through the vessels so as to relieve symptoms such as headache, dizziness, blurred vision and pain.
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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 Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang
In general Wei Ling Xian's main actions are as follows: "Relieves Wind-Damp, circulates Qi and alleviates pain. clears meridians and eases pain. Softens and releases fish bones lodged in the throat."

In the context of Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang, it is used because it relieves pain by invigorating Qi, unblocking the Channels and removing Wind Damp. .
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Fang Ji
Fang Ji

Stephania roots

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang
In general Fang Ji's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination. Allays pain and dispels Wind-Damp painful obstruction (Bi Pain)."

In the context of Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang, it is used because it removes pain that is caused by Dampness invading the channels and joints. .
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Qiang Huo
Qiang Huo

Notopterygium roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried rhizome and root
Role in Shu Jing Huo Xue 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 Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang, it is used because it releases Cold and Damp from the Exterior and relieves obstruction pain. .
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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 Shu Jing Huo Xue 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 Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang, it is used because it disperses Cold or Wind from the Exterior and relieves obstruction pain. .
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Long Dan Cao
Long Dan Cao

Chinese Gentian

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Large Intestine, Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang
In general Long Dan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Liver and Gallbladder Meridians. Clears Liver-Fire. Clears Liver-Wind."

In the context of Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang, it is used because it expels Damp Heat especially in the Liver and Gallbladder Channels. .
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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 Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang
Bai Zhi disperses Wind Cold from the Yang Brightness Channels. It also relieves pain and swelling due to Cold invading the Channels and Joints.
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Chen Pi
Chen Pi

Tangerine peel

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried pericarp of the ripe fruit
Role in Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang
Chen Pi dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. It also reduces the chance of Stagnation due to tonifying 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 Shu Jing Huo Xue 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 Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang, it is used because it harmonizes the actions of all other herbs.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated during pregnancy.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Shu Jing Huo Xue 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.