Formula Formulas that warm the Meridians and disperse Cold

Wu Tou Tang

乌头汤

Formula Composition

Zhi Chuan Wu
Zhi Chuan Wu
Ma Huang
Ma Huang
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Huang Qi
Huang Qi
Feng Mi
Feng Mi
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Warms the channels and remove obstruaction
  2. Disperse Cold and Dampness
  3. Warms the joints
  4. Relieve joints pain

Patterns Treated

Cold invading the Channels joints and muscles, Painful Obstruction

Historical Origin

Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (220 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Wu Tou Tang

Main Actions

Warms the channels and remove obstruaction
Disperse Cold and Dampness
Warms the joints
Relieve joints pain

Key TCM Concepts

Wu Tou Tang is a 6-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Prepared Sichuan Aconite (Zhi Chuan Wu) and Ephedra (Ma Huang) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm the Meridians and disperse Cold. Its main actions are: 1) warms the channels and remove obstruaction and 2) disperse Cold and Dampness.

 

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 Wu Tou Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Cold invading the Channels joints and muscles or Painful Obstruction. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as joint pain, joint stiffness or joint numbness for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Cold invading the Channels joints and muscles
  • Painful Obstruction

Common Applications

Joint pain Joint stiffness Joint numbness Rheumatoid arthritis Scapulohumeral periarthritis Trident pain Lumbar vertebra hyperplantation

Ingredients in Wu Tou Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Wu Tou Tang and their roles

Kings
Assistants
Envoys
Zhi Chuan Wu
Zhi Chuan Wu

Prepared Sichuan aconite

Temperature Hot
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Processed mother root
Role in Wu Tou Tang
Zhi Chuan Wu is pungent, bitter and hot. It is a very powerful herb to remove Cold from the channels and release it from the Exterior. It is used to stop joint pain due to Cold obstructed in the joints. Together with Ephedra, they work closely to warms the Interior and fight against external Pernicious Influence.
View herb details
Ma Huang
Ma Huang

Ephedra

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Lungs
Parts Used Dried herbaceous stems
Role in Wu Tou Tang
Ma Huang is warm and slightly bitter. It enters the Lungs and Bladder channels and invigorate Qi there so as to remove Stagnation in the Lungs. It can disperse Wind Cold through the Exterior.
View herb details
Bai Shao
Bai Shao

White peony roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Wu Tou 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."

In the context of Wu Tou Tang, it is used because it helps reduce the muscle spasms caused by Blood Deficiency and Stagnation.
View herb details
Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Wu Tou 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 Wu Tou Tang, it is used because it harmonizes the actions of the other herbs, detoxing and eases pain.
View herb details
Huang Qi
Huang Qi

Milkvetch roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Wu Tou Tang
In general Huang Qi's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Wei Qi and stops perspiration. Tonifies the Spleen Qi and the Yang Qi of the Earth Element. Tonifies the Qi and Blood. Expels pus and assists in the healing of wounds. Helps to regulate water metabolism in the body and reduce edema."

In the context of Wu Tou Tang, it is used because it strengthens the original Qi by tonifying it. It helps the Ephedra and in releasing the Exterior.
View herb details
Feng Mi
Feng Mi

Honey

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Stomach, Large Intestine, Lungs
Parts Used Honey
Role in Wu Tou Tang
In general Feng Mi's main actions are as follows: "Reinforces the spleen and stomach. Moistens dryness, relieves pain, and detoxifies."

In the context of Wu Tou Tang, it is used because it harmonizes all the other herbs of the formula and detoxing.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Wu Tou 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, Wu Tou 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.