Formula Blood Stagnation in Lower Burner

Xiāo Liú Tāng

消瘤汤

Also known as:

Reduce Lump Decoction , Reduce Tumor Decoction , Dang Gui Tail Combination

Formula Composition

E zhu
E zhu
San Leng
San Leng
Da
Dang Gui Wei
Tao Ren
Tao Ren
Wang Bu Liu Xing
Wang Bu Liu Xing
Xiang Fu
Xiang Fu
Xia Ku Cao
Xia Ku Cao
Kun Bu
Kun Bu
Di Long
Di Long
Yi Yi Ren
Yi Yi Ren
Xu Duan
Xu Duan
Niu Xi
Niu Xi
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
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From $46.00

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Breaks Blood Stasis and promotes Blood circulation
  2. Disperses Masses and Accumulations
  3. Regulates Qi and Soothes Liver
  4. Softens Hardness and Resolves Phlegm

Patterns Treated

Blood Stagnation in Lower Burner, Phlegm in the Lower Burner

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Xiāo Liú Tāng

Main Actions

Breaks Blood Stasis and promotes Blood circulation
Disperses Masses and Accumulations
Regulates Qi and Soothes Liver
Softens Hardness and Resolves Phlegm

Key TCM Concepts

Xiao Liu Tang is an aggressive blood stasis-breaking formula specifically designed for uterine fibroids and similar pelvic masses.

The E Zhu + San Leng King pair represents the strongest level of Blood-breaking in the TCM pharmacopeia. The formula intelligently addresses contributing factors (Qi Stagnation, Phlegm, Dampness) while providing minimal constitutional support through Xu Duan and Yi Ren.

Due to its powerful nature, it requires careful patient selection, is strictly contraindicated in pregnancy, and should be used in treatment cycles rather than continuously.

TCM Patterns Addressed

Common Applications

Uterine fibroids Fixed palpable abdominal masses Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Prolonged periods Menstrual Pain Clotted menstrual blood Lower abdominal pain Lower abdominal distension Ovarian cysts Endometriosis Pelvic masses Post-surgical adhesions in the pelvic cavity

Ingredients in Xiāo Liú Tāng

Detailed information about each herb in Xiāo Liú Tāng and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
E zhu
E zhu

Zedoary rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Liver
Parts Used Rhizoma
Role in Xiāo Liú Tāng
E zhu is one of the strongest Blood-breaking herbs. It specifically targets fixed masses and accumulations
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San Leng
San Leng

Common burreed tubers

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Liver
Parts Used The tuber or rhizome
Role in Xiāo Liú Tāng
San Leng pairs with E Zhu as the classic combination for breaking severe Blood Stasis and dispersing tumors/masses.
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Da
Dang Gui Wei
Role in Xiāo Liú Tāng
Dang Gui Wei is the tail portion of Dang Gui. It has stronger Blood-moving action than the body; supports E Zhu/San Leng while providing some Blood nourishment to prevent excessive depletion.
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Tao Ren
Tao Ren

Peach kernels

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Large Intestine, Liver
Parts Used Dried ripe seed
Role in Xiāo Liú Tāng
Tao Ren is the classic Blood Stasis breaker. It assists the King herbs in dispersing congealed Blood.
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Wang Bu Liu Xing
Wang Bu Liu Xing

Vaccaria seeds

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Stomach, Liver
Parts Used Dried seeds
Role in Xiāo Liú Tāng
Wang Bu Liu Xing has strong Blood-invigorating action. It specifically opens Channels in the Lower Burner and promotes menstruation.
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Xiang Fu
Xiang Fu

Coco-grass rhizomes

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen, San Jiao (Triple Burner)
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Xiāo Liú Tāng
Xiang Fu regulates Liver Qi, which is essential because Qi Stagnation often underlies Blood Stasis. "Commander of Qi within the Blood". It also specifically treats gynecological disorders.
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Xia Ku Cao
Xia Ku Cao

Heal-all spikes

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver
Parts Used Dried fruit-spike
Role in Xiāo Liú Tāng
Xia Ku Cao clears Liver Heat/Fire, dissipates nodules and masses and addresses the Phlegm component.
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Kun Bu
Kun Bu

Kombu

Temperature Cold
Taste Salty
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver, Stomach
Parts Used Dried thalline
Role in Xiāo Liú Tāng
Kun Bu softens hardness, resolves Phlegm accumulation that contributes to mass formation.
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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 Xiāo Liú Tāng
Di Long unblocks Channels and collaterals. It allows Blood-moving herbs to penetrate into areas of stagnation.
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Yi Yi Ren
Yi Yi Ren

Job's tears

Temperature Cool
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe kernel
Role in Xiāo Liú Tāng
Yi Yi Ren strengthens the Spleen and drains Dampness. It also protects Spleen from the harsh Blood-breaking herbs.

Dampness can contribute to mass formation.
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Xu Duan
Xu Duan

Japanese teasel roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Xiāo Liú Tāng
Xu Duan tonifies Liver and Kidney as well as provides constitutional support. It also prevents the harsh Blood-breaking herbs from depleting Kidney Essence.
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Niu Xi
Niu Xi

Achyranthes roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Xiāo Liú Tāng
Chuan Niu Xi directs the Blood-moving action downward to the Lower abdomen (Shao Fu). It also invigorates Blood in its own right.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Xiāo Liú Tāng

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

Contraindications

Do not use in: Pregnancy (strictly contraindicated) Active heavy menstrual bleeding Blood Deficiency without true stasis Yin Deficiency with Heat signs Use with caution in: Patients on anticoagulants or with bleeding disorders Weak constitution / Qi-Blood deficiency Pre-surgical patients (stop 1-2 weeks before surgery) Digestive weakness Long-term continuous use (use in treatment cycles instead)

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Xiāo Liú Tāng may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.