Chinese: 人参当归汤
Pinyin: Rén Shēn Dāng Guī Tāng
Other names: Ginseng Angelica Decoction, Ginseng Dong quai Decoction,
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: Postpartum depression
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
- Nourishes Yin
Source date: 1742 AD
Source book: Golden Mirror of Medicine
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.
Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang is a 6-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Ginseng (Ren Shen) and Dong Quai (Dang Gui) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 1742 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish Yin and tonify. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies Qi and Blood and 2) nourishes Yin.
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 Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Heart Yin Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as postpartum depression for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the six ingredients in Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang helps treat.
The six ingredients in Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang
Ren Shen is a king ingredient in Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Ginseng (Ren Shen)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Ren Shen's main actions are as follows: "Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit)."
In the context of Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang, it is used because it tonifies the original Qi.
Dang Gui is a king ingredient in Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Dong Quai (Dang Gui)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Dang Gui's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation."
In the context of Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang, it is used because it nourishes Blood. Blood is a Yin element.
Rou Gui is a deputy ingredient in Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui)
Rou Gui promotes Qi and Blood creation. Despite its Hot nature which would normally worsen Yin Deficiency (since Yin is Cold in nature), a small quantity in the formula acts as a 'spark' to promote the generation of Blood and Yin.
4. 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."
In the context of Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang, it is used because it nourishes Blood.
5. Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang)
Part used: Prepared dried root tuber
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Shu Di huang's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys."
In the context of Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang, it is used because it nourishes Blood.
6. Dwarf Lilyturf Roots (Mai Dong)
Part used: Dried root tuber
Nature: Cool
Meridian affinity: HeartLungStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
In general Mai Dong's main actions are as follows: "Replenishes Yin Essence and promotes secretions. Lubricates and nourishes the Stomach. Soothes the Lung. Nourishes the Heart."
In the context of Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang, it is used because it nourishes Yin.
Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang is used to treat Heart Yin 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 Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang is mostly used to treat the pattern "Heart Yin Deficiency" which we describe below.
But before we delve into Heart Yin Deficiency it is worth mentioning that it is often associated with the condition "postpartum depression". Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang treats postpartum depression". Rather, Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang is used to treat Heart Yin Deficiency, which is sometimes the root cause behind postpartum depression.
Now let's look at Heart Yin Deficiency, a pattern that TCM practitioners commonly treat with Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang.
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Fine (Xi), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Symptoms: Anxiety Insomnia Tinnitus Dry mouth Dizziness Back pain Dry throat Depression Exhaustion Malar flush Poor memory Night sweats Palpitations Easily scared Restlnessness Five palm heat Loss of libido Feeling of heat Low milk supply Feeling of guilt Scanty breast milk Hot palms and soles Dream disturbed sleep General sensation of unease
Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Heart Yin Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as night sweats, general sensation of unease, feeling of heat and five palm heat. Patients with Heart Yin Deficiency typically exhibit rapid (Shu), empty (Xu), fine (Xi) or floating (Fu) pulses as well as Red or normal tongue with no coating, redder tip with swollen red pointes on tip, deep midline crack.
This pattern often derives from Heart Blood Deficiency. Both patterns share similar symptoms such as palpitations, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, easily scared, poor memory, restlessness and anxiety.
Blood is a type of Yin element. If Heart Blood get insufficient over a long period of time... read more about Heart Yin Deficiency
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