[Name]

According to “Handian”: To unblock stagnant blood in the meridians and remove wind-dampness.

[Source]

Volume 5 of “Wan Bing Hui Chun” (万病回春).

[Composition]

Bai Shao (White Peony Root), Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis), Sheng Di Huang (Raw Rehmannia Root), Cang Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), Tao Ren (Peach Kernel), Niu Xi (Achyranthes Bidentata Root), Wei Ling Xian (Clematis Root), Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), Long Dan Cao (Gentiana Scabra Root), Fu Ling (Poria Cocos), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum Wallichii Rhizome), Han Fang Ji (Aristolochia Fetida Root), Qiang Huo (Notopterygium Root), Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia Root), Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica Root), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), Gan Cao (Licorice Root).(17)

[Classification Group]

<Blood Tonifying>: Shao Yao (Peony Root), Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis)

<Spleen and Middle Jiao Tonifying>: Gan Cao (Licorice Root)

<Spleen Tonifying and Dampness Resolving>: Fu Ling (Poria Cocos)

<Aromatically Resolving Exterior and Dispelling Dampness>: Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica Root), Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia Root), Qiang Huo (Notopterygium Root)

<Clearing Heat and Drying Dampness>: Long Dan Cao (Gentiana Scabra Root)

<Clearing Heat and Cooling Blood>: Sheng Di Huang (Raw Rehmannia Root)

<Dispelling Wind-Dampness>: Fang Ji (Aristolochia Fetida Root), Wei Ling Xian (Clematis Root)

<Aromatically Transforming Dampness>: Cang Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome)

<Regulating Qi>: Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel)

<Invigorating Blood and Removing Stasis>: Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum Wallichii Rhizome), Niu Xi (Achyranthes Bidentata Root), Tao Ren (Peach Kernel)

[Composition Analysis]

Si Wu Tang(Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root),Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis),Bai Shao (White Peony Root),Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum Wallichii Rhizome))＋Cang Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), Tao Ren (Peach Kernel), Niu Xi (Achyranthes Bidentata Root), Wei Ling Xian (Clematis Root), Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), Long Dan Cao (Gentiana Scabra Root), Fu Ling (Poria Cocos), Han Fang Ji (Aristolochia Fetida Root), Qiang Huo (Notopterygium Root), Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia Root), Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica Root), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), Gan Cao (Licorice Root), Fang Ji (Aristolochia Fetida Root), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger).(19)

[Mnemonic]

<Blood Tonifying and Blood Invigorating>: Shao Gui Xiong Niu Tao→Sister Gui is fierce, Niu is escaping

<Dispelling Wind-Dampness, Transforming Dampness, Regulating Qi>: Ji Xian Zhu Pi→Fake immortal stirs pig skin

<Releasing the Exterior and Clearing Heat>: Fang Zhi Sheng Huo, Huang Long

[Functions]

 Unblocks meridians, invigorates blood, dispels wind, and removes dampness.

[Efficacy]

(1) Pervasive pain like stabbing throughout the body, with the left foot being particularly severe. The left side relates to blood, often damaged by alcohol and sexual excess. The meridians become empty and are attacked by wind, cold, dampness, and heat. Internal heat encapsulates external cold, leading to pain that damages the meridians. Thus, it is milder during the day and severe at night. It is advisable to unblock the meridians, invigorate blood, and move dampness. This is not the “White Tiger Joint Wind” (Baizhu Liji Feng). It is used to treat women’s blood and wind-related disorders.

(2) Used for pain in the muscles, joints, and lower back due to stagnant blood and water toxin, exacerbated by wind and cold, especially pain below the waist.

[Indications]

Gout, rheumatism, arthritis, low back pain, sciatica, leg paralysis, beriberi, edema, purpura, hemiplegia, hypertension, postpartum thrombotic pain.

[Formula Meaning]

According to “Handian”: This formula, named “Shu Jing Huo Xue” (unblocking meridians and invigorating blood), is intended to unblock stagnant blood in the meridians and remove wind-dampness. It is used for pain in the muscles, joints, and lower back due to stagnant blood and water toxin, exacerbated by wind and cold, especially pain below the waist. This is an augmented formula of Si Wu Tang. Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis), Shao Yao (Peony Root), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum Wallichii Rhizome), Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), and Tao Ren (Peach Kernel) constitute Si Wu Tang, with the addition of Tao Ren to unblock stagnant blood in the lower abdomen. Fu Ling (Poria Cocos), Cang Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), Qiang Huo (Notopterygium Root), Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica Root), and others, are combined with Wei Ling Xian (Clematis Root), Fang Ji (Aristolochia Fetida Root), and Long Dan Cao (Gentiana Scabra Root) to expel wind and dampness from the waist and legs. Niu Xi (Achyranthes Bidentata Root) is particularly effective in removing dampness and has the effect of treating pain in the waist and legs.

[Modification]

(1) For phlegm, add Nan Xing (Arisaema cum Bile) and Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome) each 1 qian.

(2) For pain in the upper body and arms, add Bo Gui (Cinnamomum Cassia Twig) 3 fen.

(3) For pain in the lower body and legs, add Mu Gua (Papaya Fruit), Mu Tong (Akebia Caulis), salt-fried Huang Bai (Phellodendron Bark), and Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed) each 1 qian.

(4) For qi deficiency, add Ren Shen (Ginseng), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), and Gui Ban (Turtle Shell) each 7 fen.

(5) For blood deficiency, double the Si Wu Tang ingredients, stir-fry with ginger juice and wine, and add Hong Hua (Safflower) 1 qian.