Formula Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation

Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang

宣郁通经汤

Also known as:

Dispersing Stagnation and Unblock Meridians Decoction , Diffuse Constraint and Unblock the Channels Decoction

Formula Composition

Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Mu Dan Pi
Mu Dan Pi
Zhi Zi
Zhi Zi
Huang Jing
Huang Jing
Bai Jie Zi
Bai Jie Zi
Chai Hu
Chai Hu
Xiang Fu
Xiang Fu
Yu Jin
Yu Jin
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Pacifies the Liver
  2. Removes Stagnation
  3. Drains Fire
  4. Unblocks the Meridians

Patterns Treated

Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire

Historical Origin

Fu Qing-Zhu's Women's Disorders (1826 AD )

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang

Main Actions

Pacifies the Liver
Removes Stagnation
Drains Fire
Unblocks the Meridians

Key TCM Concepts

Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with White Peony Roots (Bai Shao) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1826 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation. Its main actions are: 1) pacifies the Liver and 2) removes Stagnation.

 

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 Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as menstrual cramps for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire

Ingredients in Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang and their roles

Kings
Bai Shao
Bai Shao

White peony roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang
Bai Shao enters the Liver and Spleen. It nourishes the Blood, pacifies the Liver and relieves spasmodic abdominal pain. It is also able to unblock the Blood vessels and promote water metabolism.
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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 Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang
Dang Gui is acrid, sweet, and warm. It nourishes and invigorates the Blood and it supports the White peony root in harmonizing the Liver.
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Mu Dan Pi
Mu Dan Pi

Mudan peony bark

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Root barks
Role in Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang
In general Mu Dan Pi's main actions are as follows: "Cools the Blood, activates Blood circulation and resolves Blood stasis."

In the context of Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, it is used because it clears Liver Heat.
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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 Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang
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 Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, it is used because it clears Liver Heat.
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Huang Jing
Huang Jing

King solomon's seal roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang
In general Huang Jing's main actions are as follows: "Supply Qi and nourish Ying. Tonifies the Spleen. Moistens Dryness. Tonifies the Kidneys and supplements Essence."

In the context of Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, it is used because it clears Liver Heat.
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Bai Jie Zi
Bai Jie Zi

White mustard seeds

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Stomach, Lungs
Parts Used The seeds, dried
Role in Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang
In general Bai Jie Zi's main actions are as follows: "Warms the lungs. Eliminates Phlegm and regulated Qi. Dissipates nodules and unblocks the Meridians to relieve pain."

In the context of Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, it is used because it regulates Qi in the diaphragm and thus helps to pacify Liver Qi.
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Chai Hu
Chai Hu

Bupleurum roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang
In general Chai Hu's main actions are as follows: "Harmonizes exterior and interior. Smoothes the Liver and upraises the Yang."

In the context of Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, it is used because it pacifies the Liver, moves Qi and eliminates Stagnation.
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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 Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang
In general Xiang Fu's main actions are as follows: "Unblocks Stagnant Liver Qi and relieves pain. Regulates the Liver and Spleen. Assists the regulation of menses and relieves pain."

In the context of Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, it is used because it pacifies the Liver, moves Qi and eliminates Stagnation.
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Yu Jin
Yu Jin

Turmeric tubers

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root tuber
Role in Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang
In general Yu Jin's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood, breaks Stasis and reduces associated pain. Regulates the Liver and relieves patterns of Stagnant Qi with pain. Clears the Heart and Cools the Blood. Relieves Stagnation and clears Heat in the Liver and Gallbladder. Relieves jaundice."

In the context of Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, it is used because it pacifies the Liver, relieve pain, moves Qi and eliminates Stagnation.
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Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Xuan Yu Tong Jing 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 Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, it is used because it harmonizes all ingredients.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Xuan Yu Tong Jing 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, Xuan Yu Tong Jing 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.