Chinese: 独活寄生汤
Pinyin: Dú Huó Jì Shēng Tāng
Other names: Du Huo and Loranthes Combination, Pubescent Angelica and Taxillus Decoction
Number of ingredients: 15 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that dispel Wind-Damp
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: EczemaSciaticaOsteoarthritis and five other conditions
- Anti-rheumatic, clears Wind, Cold and Damp Stagnation
- Strengthens the function of the Liver and Kidney
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
Contraindications: Contradicted for acute inflammatory stages of lumbago, sciatica and arthritic... Contradicted for acute inflammatory stages of lumbago, sciatica and arthritic conditions, because it is a heating formula. see more
Source date: 650 AD
Source book: Important Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang is a 15-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Pubescent Angelica Roots (Du Huo) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 650 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that dispel Wind-Damp. Its main actions are: 1) anti-rheumatic, clears Wind, Cold and Damp Stagnation and 2) strengthens the function of the Liver and Kidney.
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 Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as chronic lower back pain, sciatica or osteoarthritis for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the fifteen ingredients in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang helps treat.
The fifteen ingredients in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Du Huo is a king ingredient in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Pubescent Angelica Roots (Du Huo)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: BladderKidney
Category: Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness
In general Du Huo's main actions are as follows: "Disperses Wind, Cold, Dampness. Relieves pain. Relieves Lesser Yang (Shao Yang) headache."
In the context of Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, it is used because it expels Wind, Dampness, and Cold from the Lower-Burner, bones, and sinews.
Xi Xin is a deputy ingredient in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. Wild Ginger (Xi Xin)
Xi Xin scatters Cold in the Channels and scours out Wind-Dampness from the sinews and bones to stop the pain.
Fang Feng is a deputy ingredient in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng)
In general Fang Feng's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Relieves Wind-Damp-Cold painful obstruction. Disperses Wind."
In the context of Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, it is used because it expels the Wind and overcomes Dampness.
Qin Jiao is a deputy ingredient in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. Gentian Roots (Qin Jiao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Cool
Meridian affinity: GallbladderStomachLiver
Category: Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness
In general Qin Jiao's main actions are as follows: "Clears either acute or chronic, Cold or Hot Wind-Damp conditions. Clears Heat from Yin Deficiency. Lubricates the Intestines and promotes bowel movements."
In the context of Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, it is used because it relaxes the sinews and expels the Wind and Dampness.
Sang Ji Sheng is an assistant ingredient in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
5. Mulberry Mistletoe (Sang Ji Sheng)
Part used: Dried stem and branch with leaf
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness
Sang Ji Sheng works together with Achyranthes root (Niu Xi) and Unprepared Rehmannia (Sheng Di Huang), other assistants in this formula, to expel Wind-Dampness and tonify the Liver and Kidneys.
Du Zhong is an assistant ingredient in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. Eucommia Bark (Du Zhong)
Part used: Dried stem bark
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency
In general Du Zhong's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys. Calms ascendant Liver Yang (hypertension/high blood pressure). Calms a restless fetus."
Niu Xi is an assistant ingredient in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
7. Achyranthes Roots (Niu Xi)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Niu Xi's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood and relieves pain in the raw state. Tonic to the Liver and Kidneys and strengthens the bones and sinews. Reduces Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner. Regulates the flow of reckless Blood caused by either ascendant Liver Yang or Yin Deficient Fire."
Rou Gui is an assistant ingredient in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
8. Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui)
Rou Gui warms and unblocks the Channels and fortifies the Yang. It opens up the lower back and is an important herb for treating lower back pain.
Dang Gui is an assistant ingredient in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
9. Dong Quai (Dang Gui)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Dang Gui works together with Szechuan lovage roots (Chuan Xiong), Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) and White peony roots (Bai Shao), other assistants in this formula, to nourish and invigorate the Blood.
Chuan Xiong is an assistant ingredient in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
10. Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
Meridian affinity: GallbladderLiverPericardium
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Chuan Xiong's main actions are as follows: "Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches."
Bai Shao is an assistant ingredient in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
11. White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
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."
Ren Shen is an assistant ingredient in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
12. Ginseng (Ren Shen)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Ren Shen works together with Poria-cocos mushrooms (Fu Ling), another assistant here, to strengthen the Spleen (always crucial when treating conditions with Dampness, especially chronic ones).
Fu Ling is an assistant ingredient in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
13. Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
Part used: Dried sclerotium
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLungSpleen
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
In general Fu Ling's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit."
Di Huang is an assistant ingredient in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
14. Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang)
Part used: Prepared dried root tuber
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
In general Di Huang's main actions are as follows: "Expels Heat by Cooling Blood. Tonifies Yin by promoting Fluid production. Soothes the Heart by calming Blazing Fire. Cools and nourishes."
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
15. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
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 Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, it is used because it tonifies the middle Qi and harmonizes the actions of the other herbs in the formula.
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang is used to treat Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang is mostly used to treat the pattern "Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency" which we describe below.
But before we delve into Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency here is an overview of the Western conditions it is commonly associated with:
Chronic lower back pain Sciatica Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid arthritis Periarthritis of the shoulder Lumbar disc disease Temporomandibular joint dysfunction Eczema
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang treats chronic lower back pain" for instance. Rather, Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang is used to treat Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency, which is sometimes the root cause behind chronic lower back pain.
Now let's look at Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency, a pattern that TCM practitioners commonly treat with Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Symptoms: Palpitations Aversion to cold Shortness of breath Attraction to warmth Weakness and stiffness Heavy and painful sensations in the lower back and lower extremities
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as heavy and painful sensations in the lower back and lower extremities, weakness and stiffness, aversion to cold and attraction to warmth. Patients with Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency typically exhibit fine (Xi), slow (Chi) or weak (Ruo) pulses as well as a pale tongue with thin white coating.
Learn more about Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency
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