Formula Formulas that pacify and extinguish Internal Wind

Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin

天麻钩藤饮

Also known as:

Gastrodia and Uncaria Drink , Gastrodia and Gambir Drink

Formula Composition

Tian Ma
Tian Ma
Gou Teng
Gou Teng
Shi Jue Ming
Shi Jue Ming
Zhi Zi
Zhi Zi
Huang Qin
Huang Qin
Yi Mu Cao
Yi Mu Cao
Du Zhong
Du Zhong
Sang Ji Sheng
Sang Ji Sheng
Fu Shen
Fu Shen
Chuan Niu Xi
Chuan Niu Xi
Ye Jiao Teng
Ye Jiao Teng
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Calms the Liver
  2. Extinguishes wind
  3. Invigorates the blood
  4. Clears heat
  5. Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys

Patterns Treated

Liver Yang Rising, Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat, Interior Wind, Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising

Historical Origin

Deriving New Treatments for Patterns of Miscellaneous Disorders in Chinese Internal Medicine (1958 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin

Main Actions

Calms the Liver
Extinguishes wind
Invigorates the blood
Clears heat
Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys

Key TCM Concepts

Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin is a 11-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Gastrodia Rhizomes (Tian Ma) and Gambir Stems And Thorns (Gou Teng) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1958 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that pacify and extinguish Internal Wind. Its main actions are: 1) calms the Liver and 2) extinguishes 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 Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Liver Yang Rising, Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat or Interior Wind. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as insomnia, headache or dizziness for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Liver Yang Rising
  • Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat
  • Interior Wind
  • Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising

Common Applications

Insomnia Headache Dizziness Vertigo Tinnitus Cerebrovascular disease Transitory ischemic attacks Hypertension Renal hypertension Hypertensive encephalopathy Aphasia Apraxia Epilepsy Neurosis

Ingredients in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin

Detailed information about each herb in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Tian Ma
Tian Ma

Gastrodia rhizomes

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Liver
Parts Used Dried tuber
Role in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Tian Ma is sweet and balanced. It is frequently used to treat Internal Wind. Its calming and cooling action is supplement by the heavy and salty Shi Jue Ming (Abalone shells).
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Gou Teng
Gou Teng

Gambir stems and thorns

Temperature Cool
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried stems and thorns from the branches
Role in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Gou Teng is sweet and cooling. It is often used to treat internal Wind. Its calming and cooling action is supplement by the heavy and salty Shi Jue Ming (Abalone shells).
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Shi Jue Ming
Shi Jue Ming

Abalone shells

Temperature Cold
Taste Salty
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Shell
Role in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Shi Jue Ming is heavy and salty. Similar to other seashells, it can anchor the rising Yang and calm the Liver. It is useful for treating headaches and dizziness due to Liver Yang rising. It is because it can guide Blood downward from the head by acting on Yang Qi.
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Zhi Zi
Zhi Zi

Cape jasmine fruits

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Lungs, Sanjiao, San Jiao (Triple Burner)
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
In general Zhi Zi's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and calms spirit. Drains Damp-Heat affecting the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears Heat in the Blood and stops bleeding. Anti-inflammatory."

In the context of Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin, it is used because it clears Heat and drains Fire. It prevent the Yang from rising in the Liver Channel.
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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 Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
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 Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin, it is used because it clears Heat and drains Fire. It prevent the Yang from rising in the Liver Channel.
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Yi Mu Cao
Yi Mu Cao

Motherwort herbs

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver
Parts Used Dried aerial parts
Role in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
In general Yi Mu Cao's main actions are as follows: "Moves and regulates Blood, breaks Stasis and regulates the menses. Increases the flow of urine and reduces Stagnation of water"

In the context of Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin, it is used because it invigorates the Blood to prevent it from rising to the head with the rising Liver Yang.
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Du Zhong
Du Zhong

Eucommia bark

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried stem bark
Role in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
In general Du Zhong's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys. Calms ascendant Liver Yang (hypertension/high blood pressure). Calms a restless fetus."

In the context of Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin, it is used because it tonifies and nourishes the Liver and Kidneys in order to reinforce the root.
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Sang Ji Sheng
Sang Ji Sheng

Mulberry Mistletoe

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried stem and branch with leaf
Role in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
In general Sang Ji Sheng's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Liver and the Kidneys. Strengthens the tendons and bones. Relieves rheumatic conditions. Lowers hypertension."

In the context of Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin, it is used because it tonifies and nourishes the Liver and Kidneys in order to reinforce the root.
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Fu Shen
Fu Shen

Host-wood Poria

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Heart
Parts Used The part of the mushroom that is attached to the host-wood, dried
Role in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Fu Shen calms the spirit and stabilizes the will. It is effective for restlessness and insomnia which are the typical symptoms of Liver Yang Rising.
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Chuan Niu Xi
Chuan Niu Xi

Cyathula roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Chuan Niu Xi has a descending nature that drives the Blood downward. Together with Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort herb), they are diuretic in nature, directing pathogenic Qi and Body Fluids out via the urine.
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Ye Jiao Teng
Ye Jiao Teng

Fleeceflower stems

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver
Parts Used Dried lianoid stem
Role in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Ye Jiao Teng calms the spirit and stabilizes the will. It is effective for restlessness and insomnia which are the typical symptoms of Liver Yang Rising.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated if the patient's symptoms are caused by Yin Deficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.