Chinese: 血府逐瘀汤
Pinyin: Xuè Fǔ Zhú Yū Tāng
Other names: Drive Out Stasis from the Mansion of Blood Decoction, Blood Mansion Eliminating Stasis Decoction, .
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: MigrainePsychosisDepression and nine other conditions
- Invigorates the Blood
- Dispels blood Stagnation
- Spreads the Liver Qi
- Unblocks the channels
Contraindications: Contraindicated during pregnancy and in cases that involve excessive menstrual... Contraindicated during pregnancy and in cases that involve excessive menstrual bleeding. Contraindicated for people with a weak constitution or who are debilitated. Contraindicated in cases with bleeding diathesis or any active hemorrhagic disorder. see more
Source date: 1830 AD
Source book: Correction of Errors Among Physicians
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.
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang is a 11-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Peach Kernels (Tao Ren), Safflowers (Hong Hua) and Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 1830 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation. Its main actions are: 1) invigorates the Blood and 2) dispels blood 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 Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Heart Blood Stagnation, Heart Vessel obstructed or Qi And Blood Stagnation. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as coronary artery disease, rheumatic valvular heart disease or hypertension for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the eleven ingredients in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang helps treat.
The eleven ingredients in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Tao Ren is a king ingredient in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Peach Kernels (Tao Ren)
Part used: Dried ripe seed
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: HeartLarge intestineLiver
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Tao Ren's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood and breaks up Stasis. Moistens the Intestines. Relieves coughing."
In the context of Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it invigorates the Blood and eliminates Blood Stagnation, especially in the upper part of the body.
Hong Hua is a king ingredient in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Safflowers (Hong Hua)
In general Hong Hua's main actions are as follows: "Moves Stagnant Blood and regulates menses. Relieves pain caused by Blood Stasis."
In the context of Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it invigorates the Blood and eliminates Blood Stagnation, especially in the upper part of the body.
Chuan Xiong is a king ingredient in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
3. 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."
In the context of Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it invigorates the Blood and eliminates Blood Stagnation, especially in the upper part of the body.
Chi Shao is a deputy ingredient in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. Red Peony Roots (Chi Shao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Cool
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: Liver
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Chi Shao's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood, relieves pain and reduces swelling. Cools the Blood and the Liver."
In the context of Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it invigorate the Blood. However, its focus more on the lower part of the body.
Dang Gui is a deputy ingredient in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
5. Dong Quai (Dang Gui)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Dang Gui invigorate the Blood. However, its focus more on the lower part of the body. It also nourishes the Blood.
Di Huang is a deputy ingredient in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
6. Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang)
Part used: Prepared dried root tuber
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
Di Huang cools the Blood and clears Heat. It enables the formula to eliminates Blood Stagnation without harming the Yin and Blood.
Chuan Niu Xi is a deputy ingredient in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
7. Cyathula Roots (Chuan Niu Xi)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Chuan Niu Xi invigorates the Blood circulation by eliminating Stagnation. It has a descending nature that conducts the Blood downward.
Chai Hu is an assistant ingredient in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
8. Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu)
Chai Hu smoothes the Liver Qi flow, relieves constraint, and rises the clear Yang. Together with other assistant herbs, it also expands the chest and supports Qi movement. They eliminates Qi Stagnation in the chest and supports the Qi movement so as to facilitate the Blood circulation.
Jie Geng is an assistant ingredient in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
9. Platycodon Roots (Jie Geng)
Jie Geng expands the chest and supports Qi movement together with other assistant herbs. They eliminate Qi Stagnation in the chest and supports the Qi movement so as to facilitate Blood circulation.
Zhi Ke is an assistant ingredient in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
10. Bitter Oranges (Zhi Ke)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Herbs that regulate Qi
Zhi Ke it expands the chest and supports Qi movement together with other assistant herbs. They eliminate Qi Stagnation in the chest and supports the Qi movement so as to facilitate Blood circulation.
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
11. 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 Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it regulates and harmonizes all ingredients.
Conditions and patterns for which Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang may be prescribed
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 Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang is used by TCM practitioners to treat five different patterns which we describe below.
But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:
Coronary artery disease Rheumatic valvular heart disease Hypertension Cor pulmonale Intercostal neuralgia Thoracic strains Costochondritis Postconcussion syndrome Migraine Trigeminal neuralgia Depression Psychosis
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang treats coronary artery disease" for instance. Rather, Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind coronary artery disease.
Now let's look at the five patterns commonly treated with Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang.
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Knotted (Jie)
Tongue color: Bluish-Purple
Symptoms: Mania Delusions Cold hands Purple lips Purple face Palpitations Purple nails Aggressiveness Hallucinations Suicidal thoughts Chest constriction Stabbing chest pain Destructive thoughts Blaming oneself and others Lack of bonding with the newborn Feeling of oppression of the chest
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Heart Blood Stagnation. This pattern leads to symptoms such as stabbing chest pain, chest constriction, feeling of oppression of the chest and palpitations. Patients with Heart Blood Stagnation typically exhibit knotted (Jie) pulses as well as Purple entirely or just on the side .
It is characterized by symptoms such as palpitations, chest pressure and stiffness as well as sharp stabbing pain in the chest, which can spread to the inner area of the left arm or to the shoulder. Since the Blood doesn't flow smoothly, it reflected by the purple or dark color on lips, face,... read more about Heart Blood Stagnation
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Vessel obstructed
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Knotted (Jie), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Symptoms: Phlegm Depression Heart pain Chest pain Purple lips Purple face Palpitations Purple nails Restlnessness Frequent sighing Aversion to speak Shortness of breath Cold hands and feet Feeling of heaviness Feeling of oppression of the chest
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Heart Vessel obstructed. This pattern leads to symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, depression and restlnessness. Patients with Heart Vessel obstructed typically exhibit choppy (Se), knotted (Jie), slippery (Hua) or wiry (Xian) pulses.
This is a complicated pattern as it is the combination of four other patterns and their features at the same time: Phlegm, Heart Blood Stagnation, Heart Qi Stagnation, and Cold.
If Phlegm is the dominant one out of the above four patterns, the pulse is rather Slippery instead of Wiry, Choppy or... read more about Heart Vessel obstructed
Qi is one of Chinese Medicine's vital subtances. Learn more about Qi in Chinese Medicine
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Deep (Chen), Fine (Xi)
Symptoms: Insomnia Dark face Moodiness Dizziness Chest pain Depression Amenorrhea Purple lips Mood swings Breast pain Hot flushes Purple nails Irritability Blotchy skin Restlessness Breast lumps Restlnessness Chest fullness Painful period Scanty periods Clots in blood Abdominal pain Abdominal masses Lochia retention Breast distention Dark colored blood Abdominal fullness Intense period pain High blood pressure Swelling of the feet Lower abdominal pain Dark menstrual blood Flooding and leaking Abdominal distension Pre-menstrual tension Black and tarry stools Irregular menstruation Boring fixed stabbing pain Pre-menstrual irritability Dark clots in menstrual blood Menstruation decreases gratually Feeling of fullness in the chest Abdominal distention and fullness Pain relief after clots discharge
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Qi And Blood Stagnation. This pattern leads to symptoms such as chest fullness, chest pain, boring fixed stabbing pain and dark face. Patients with Qi And Blood Stagnation typically exhibit choppy (Se), deep (Chen) or fine (Xi) pulses.
The typical symptoms of Qi stagnation are distension, oppression and swelling. There are also emotional issues like mood swing, depression or irritability. However, the Blood Stagnation is more on pains and purple color manifestation on skin, face, lips and nails.
Qi Stagnation can cause the... read more about Qi And Blood Stagnation
The Pericardium is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Pericardium in Chinese Medicine
Pericardium Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Knotted (Jie), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Bluish-Purple
Symptoms: Chest pain Cold hands Purple lips Palpitations Purple nails Chest fullness Painful period Hypochondriac pain Shortness of breath Dark clots in menstrual blood Stifling sensation in the chest Feeling of oppression of the chest
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Pericardium Blood Stagnation. This pattern leads to symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain, chest fullness and stifling sensation in the chest. Patients with Pericardium Blood Stagnation typically exhibit knotted (Jie) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as Purple on the side of the entire tongue .
The Mind resides in both the Heart and the Pericardium and it can be greatly impacted by Blood Stagnation in both Organs. Therefore all mental related symptoms of Pericardium Blood Stagnation are very similar to the ones of Heart Blood Stagnation.
However, the chest related symptoms such as... read more about Pericardium Blood Stagnation
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Bluish-Purple
Symptoms: Nausea Vomiting Bloody stools Epigastric pain Vomiting of blood Nausea or vomiting Possible vomiting of blood Dislike of pressure on epigastric area Severe epigastric pain that may worsen at night
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Stomach Blood Stagnation. This pattern leads to symptoms such as severe epigastric pain that may worsen at night, dislike of pressure on epigastric area, nausea or vomiting and possible vomiting of blood. Patients with Stomach Blood Stagnation typically exhibit wiry (Xian) pulses as well as Purple.
Blood Stagnation often causes a pain of a stabbing or boring nature, hence the stabbing epigastric pain. This pain is much more intense than in any of the other Stomach patterns.
Stasis of Blood always manifests with dark-colored blood, hence the vomiting of dark blood in some cases.
Since the... read more about Stomach Blood Stagnation
Formulas similar to Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang is 58% similar to Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang is 50% similar to Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang is 50% similar to Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Xia Ru Yong Quan San is 45% similar to Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang is 45% similar to Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Zhu Yu Zhi Xue Tang is 45% similar to Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang