Formula Formulas that tonify Blood

Tao Hong Si Wu Tang

桃红四物汤

Also known as:

Four-Substance Decoction with Safflower and Peach Pit

Formula Composition

Tao Ren
Tao Ren
Hong Hua
Hong Hua
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang
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Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Tonifies Blood and regulates the Liver
  2. Moves Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen
  3. Stops pain

Patterns Treated

Blood Stagnation, Qi And Blood Stagnation, Blood Deficiency and Stagnation

Historical Origin

Supreme Commanders of the Medical Ramparts (1291 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Tao Hong Si Wu Tang

Main Actions

Tonifies Blood and regulates the Liver
Moves Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen
Stops pain

Key TCM Concepts

Tao Hong Si Wu Tang is a 6-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) and Safflowers (Hong Hua) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1291 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Blood. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies Blood and regulates the Liver and 2) moves Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen.

 

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 Tao Hong Si Wu Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Blood Stagnation, Qi And Blood Stagnation or Blood Deficiency and Stagnation. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as scanty menstruation, abnormal uterine bleeding or menstrual cramps for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Blood Stagnation
  • Qi And Blood Stagnation
  • Blood Deficiency and Stagnation

Common Applications

Scanty menstruation Abnormal uterine bleeding Menstrual cramps Absence of menstruation Painful menstruations Dysmenorrhea Irregular menstruation Postpartum weakness

Ingredients in Tao Hong Si Wu Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Tao Hong Si Wu Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Tao Ren
Tao Ren

Peach kernels

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Large Intestine, Liver
Parts Used Dried ripe seed
Role in Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Tao Ren tonifies and invigorates the Blood and regulates menstruation. Its use is for concurrent Blood Deficiency and Blood Stagnation leading to a shortened menstrual cycle with copious Bleeding of dark-purple, sticky Blood, with or without clots. Also used when menstruation is accompanied by abdominal pain and distention due to the same mechanism.
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Hong Hua
Hong Hua

Safflowers

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver
Parts Used Dried flower
Role in Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Hong Hua it helps peach kernels (the other key herb here) tonify and invigorate the Blood and regulate menstruation.
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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 Tao Hong Si Wu 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 Tao Hong Si Wu Tang, it is used because it is warming and moistening. It enters the Liver and Heart to tonify and invigorating the Blood.
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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 Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Chuan Xiong invigorates the blood and promotes the movement of Qi. Above, it directs the Blood to the head, relieving symptoms like headache, dizziness, and blurred vision, while below, it moves the 'Sea of Blood' (the complex Blood system that is the Liver, the Penetrating vessel and the Womb). Overall, by facilitating the flow of Blood through the Vessels and Collaterals it releases constraint, opens knotting, and alleviates pain.
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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 Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Bai Shao tonifies the blood and preserves the Yin. Its sour and astringent character helps to settle the muscle spasms caused by Blood Deficiency, and it is particularly well-suited to treat abdominal pain.
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Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang

Prepared rehmannia

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Prepared dried root tuber
Role in Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Shu Di huang has a very strong tonifying effect on the Liver and Kidneys and is said to nourish the Yin of the Blood.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Tao Hong Si Wu Tang

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

Contraindications

This formula should not be used in treating acute, severe blood loss or other problems of blood deficiency characterized by severe weakness and labored breathing.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Tao Hong Si Wu 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.