Formula Formulas that dredge and disperse External Wind

Xiao Huo Luo Dan

小活络丹

Also known as:

Minor Invigorate the Collaterals Special Pill

Formula Composition

Zhi Cao Wu
Zhi Cao Wu
Zhi Chuan Wu
Zhi Chuan Wu
Tian Nan Xing
Tian Nan Xing
Mo Yao
Mo Yao
Ru Xiang
Ru Xiang
Di Long
Di Long
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputy
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Dispels Wind
  2. Eliminates Dampness and transforms Phlegm
  3. Invigorates the Blood
  4. Removes Stagnation and relieves pain

Patterns Treated

Cold invading the Channels joints and muscles, Dampness invading the Channels joints and muscles, Wind invading the Channels joints and muscles, Painful Obstruction

Historical Origin

Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People in the Taiping Era (1107 AD )

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Xiao Huo Luo Dan

Main Actions

Dispels Wind
Eliminates Dampness and transforms Phlegm
Invigorates the Blood
Removes Stagnation and relieves pain

Key TCM Concepts

Xiao Huo Luo Dan is a 6-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Prepared Kusnezoffii Aconite (Zhi Cao Wu) and Prepared Sichuan Aconite (Zhi Chuan Wu) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1107 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that dredge and disperse External Wind. Its main actions are: 1) dispels Wind and 2) eliminates Dampness and transforms Phlegm .

 

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 Xiao Huo Luo Dan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Cold invading the Channels joints and muscles, Dampness invading the Channels joints and muscles or Wind invading the Channels joints and muscles. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as hemiplegia after cerebrovascular accident, rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Cold invading the Channels joints and muscles
  • Dampness invading the Channels joints and muscles
  • Wind invading the Channels joints and muscles
  • Painful Obstruction

Common Applications

Hemiplegia after cerebrovascular accident Rheumatoid arthritis Osteoarthritis Bone spurs Peripheral nervous disorder

Ingredients in Xiao Huo Luo Dan

Detailed information about each herb in Xiao Huo Luo Dan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Zhi Cao Wu
Zhi Cao Wu

Prepared Kusnezoffii aconite

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent, Sour
Organ Affinity Spleen, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used The root
Role in Xiao Huo Luo Dan
Zhi Cao Wu is among the strongest herbs in the TCM for warming the Channels and dispersing Wind, Cold, and Dampness. It is acrid, hot, and toxic, expelling Wind, Dampness, and Cold, so as to stop painful obstruction of the muscles and joints, and unbind areas constrained by Phlegm.
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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 Xiao Huo Luo Dan
Zhi Chuan Wu is among the strongest herbs in the TCM for warming the Channels and dispersing Wind, Cold, and Dampness. It quickly and powerfully warms and unblocks the Channels and drives out Wind, Dampness, and Cold.
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Tian Nan Xing
Tian Nan Xing

Arisaema

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Xiao Huo Luo Dan
Tian Nan Xing is a strongly warming and intensely acrid herb. It enters the Liver Channel and move inside the Channel, so as to eliminate Wind-Phlegm.
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Mo Yao
Mo Yao

Myrrh

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Spleen, Heart, Liver
Parts Used Dried resin of the tree
Role in Xiao Huo Luo Dan
In general Mo Yao's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood and relieves Stagnation and pain caused by Blood Stagnation. Assists in wound healing."

In the context of Xiao Huo Luo Dan, it is used because it invigorates the Blood and increase the flow in the Channels.
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Ru Xiang
Ru Xiang

Frankincense

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Heart, Liver
Parts Used An aromatic resin obtained from boswellia trees
Role in Xiao Huo Luo Dan
In general Ru Xiang's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood and Qi and relieves pain. Disperses Wind-Damp from the Meridians and relaxes the sinews. Reduces swelling and aids in wound healing."

In the context of Xiao Huo Luo Dan, it is used because it invigorates the Blood and increase the flow in the Channels.
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Di Long
Di Long

Earthworms

Temperature Cold
Taste Salty
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Spleen, Liver
Parts Used Dried body of the worm
Role in Xiao Huo Luo Dan
Di Long is salty and cooling. It clears Heat, unblocks, and promotes movement in the Channels and collaterals. Although this is a cooling substance, the many warming herbs in this formula allow its piercing nature to be exploited here to treat Cold Painful Obstruction.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Xiao Huo Luo Dan

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

Contraindications

Because this formula is quite harsh, warming, and drying, it should only be prescribed for patients with a relatively strong constitution. It is contraindicated in those with Yin Deficiency or during pregnancy.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Xiao Huo Luo 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.