Formula Formulas that regulate Blood, Formulas that regulate Qi, Formulas that tonify Qi and Blood

Tong Ru Dan

通乳丹

Also known as:

Penetrating the Breast Special Pill , Unblock Breast Stagnation Pill , Tong Ru Tang

Formula Composition

Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Huang Qi
Huang Qi
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Mai Dong
Mai Dong
Mu Tong
Mu Tong
Jie Geng
Jie Geng
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistant
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Tonifies the Qi and Blood
  2. Removes Stagnation from the breast connecting Meridians

Patterns Treated

Qi and Blood Deficiency

Historical Origin

Fu Qing Zhu's Gynecology (1826 AD )

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Tong Ru Dan

Main Actions

Tonifies the Qi and Blood
Removes Stagnation from the breast connecting Meridians

Key TCM Concepts

Tong Ru Dan is a 6-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Ginseng (Ren Shen) and Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1826 AD, it belongs to the categories of formulas that regulate Blood, formulas that regulate Qi and formulas that tonify Qi and Blood. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies the Qi and Blood and 2) removes Stagnation from the breast connecting Meridians.

 

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 Tong Ru Dan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Qi and Blood Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as low breast milk supply for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Qi and Blood Deficiency

Ingredients in Tong Ru Dan

Detailed information about each herb in Tong Ru Dan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Ren Shen
Ren Shen

Ginseng

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Tong Ru Dan
Ren Shen tonifies Qi. This is necessary in this breastmilk-boosting formula because Qi is the ultimate source of milk.
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Huang Qi
Huang Qi

Milkvetch roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Tong Ru Dan
Huang Qi , much like Ginseng (the other key herb here) tonifies Qi which is the ultimate source of breast milk.
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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 Tong Ru Dan
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 Tong Ru Dan, it is used because it nourishes Blood and supports the flow os Body Fluids.
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Mai Dong
Mai Dong

Dwarf lilyturf roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root tuber
Role in Tong Ru Dan
In general Mai Dong's main actions are as follows: "Replenishes Yin Essence and promotes secretions. Lubricates and nourishes the Stomach. Soothes the Lung. Nourishes the Heart."

In the context of Tong Ru Dan, it is used because it , like Dong Quai (another deputy ingredient), nourishes Blood and supports the flow of Body Fluids..
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Mu Tong
Mu Tong

Akebia stems

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Small Intestine
Parts Used Dried stem
Role in Tong Ru Dan
In general Mu Tong's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and clears Heat. Clears Heat and inflammation of the Heart. Promotes lactation. Moves and smoothes the flow of Blood. Used for painful obstruction associated with either Dampness, Blood Stagnation, Wind or Heat."

In the context of Tong Ru Dan, it is used because it removes Stagnation from the breast-connecting Meridians.
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Jie Geng
Jie Geng

Platycodon roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Tong Ru Dan
In general Jie Geng's main actions are as follows: "Opens the Lungs and smoothes the flow of Lung Qi. Expels Phlegm and pus from the Lungs and throat, can be used for either Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat according to the other herbs in the formula. Directs the actions of other herbs to the Upper Burner. "

In the context of Tong Ru Dan, it is used because it plays the role as a carrier to direct the herbs to the Upper Burner.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Tong Ru Dan

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, Tong Ru Dan may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.