Relax Channels and Invigorate Blood Decoction
Chinese Prescription: Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang
English Translation: Relax Channels and Invigorate Blood Decoction
Formula Type: Invigorate the Blood and Dispel Blood Stasis
Actions: Unblocks & relaxes the channels & invigorates the blood.
Indications: For blood stasis & wind-dampness in the channels & collaterals characterized by muscle aches, joint pain, radiating pain in the leg, numbness in the lower extremities, & pain in the trunk & extremities. Indicated for the disorders the are predominantly excessive in nature.
Contraindications: Unknown.
Pinyin | English | Suggested Dosage |
---|---|---|
view: Bai Shao Yao |
White Peony | 4.5g |
view: Dang Gui |
Angelica Sinensis | 3.6g |
view: Chuan Xiong |
Sichuan Lovage Rhizome / Ligusticum Wallichi | 1.8g |
view: Sheng Di Huang |
Unprepared Rehmannia | 3g |
view: Tao Ren |
Peach Kernel | 3g |
view: Cang Zhu |
Black Atractylodes | 3g |
view: Fu Ling |
Poria | 2.1g |
view: Niu Xi |
Achyranthes | 3g |
view: Wei Ling Xian |
Clematis | 3g |
view: Fang Ji (Han) |
Stephania Tetrandra | 1.8g |
view: Qiang Huo |
Notopterygium | 1.8g |
view: Fang Feng |
Siler Root | 1.8g |
view: Long Dan Cao |
Manchurian Gentian | 1.8g |
view: Bai Zhi |
Angelica Dahurica | 1.8g |
view: Chen Pi |
Tangerine / Citrus Peel | 3g |
view: Gan Cao |
Licorice | 1.2g |
Bai Shao Yao / Peony (White) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Bitter, Sour • Temperature: Cool • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Blood | |||
Dosage6-15g, very large doses up to 30 g |
Actions1. Nourishes the blood & regulates the menses: for blood deficiency with such symptoms as menstrual dysfunction, vaginal discharge, & uterine bleeding. This is a very commonly used herb for treating women's disorders.2. Calms & curbs the Liver yang & alleviates pain: for such symptoms as flank, chest, or abdominal pain from either constrained Liver qi or disharmony between the Liver & Spleen. In general, this herb is used to "soften & comfort" the Liver, stop painful spasms in the abdomen, stop cramping pain or spasms in the hands & feet, & alleviate abdominal pain associated with dysentric disorders. It is also used for headache & dizziness due to ascendant Liver yang. 3. Preserves the yin & adjusts the nutritive & protective levels: for vaginal discharge & spermatorrhea, as well as exterior wind-cold from deficiency patterns with continuous sweating that does not resolve the problem. It is also used for yin deficiency where the yang floats to the surface causing spontaneous sweating or night sweats. |
MeridiansLiver, Spleen |
CautionsUse with caution in cases of diarrhea due to cold from deficiency, & in patients with weak yang & cold from deficiency. May antagonize shi hu & mang xiao, may counteract with bie jia & xiao ji, & may be incompatible with li lu. |
Dang Gui / Angelica (Chinese) Root | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Sweet, Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Blood | |||
Dosage3-15g |
Actions1. Tonifies the blood & regulates the meses: for patterns of blood deficiency with such symptoms as a pallid, ashen complexion, tinnitus, blurred vision, & palpitations. Also very commonly used fro blood deficiency associated with menstrual disorders such as irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, etc.2. Invigorates & harmonizes the blood & disperses cold: an important herb for stopping pain due to blood stasis. Commonly used for abdominal pain, traumatic injury, & carbuncles due to blood stasis, especially when there is also cold from deficiency. Also used in the treatment of blood deficiency with chronic wind-damp painful obstruction. 3. Moistens the Intestiones & unblocks the bowels: for dry Intestines due to blood deficiency. 4. Reduces swelling, expels pus, generates flesh, & alleviates pain: used in treating sores & abscesses where its ability to both tonify & invigorate the blood leads to improvement. |
MeridiansHeart, Liver, Spleen |
CautionsUse with caution in cases of diarrhea or abdominal distention due to damp obstruction. Contraindicated for yin deficiency with heat signs. |
Chuan Xiong / Lovage Root (Ligusticum) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Regulate Blood • Sub Category: Invigorate Blood | |||
Dosage3-6g, up to 9g for irregular menstruation |
Actions1. Invigorates the blood & promotes the movement of qi: for any blood stasis pattern. This is an important herb in gynecology & is used for such problems as dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, difficult labor, or lochioschesis. It is also indicated for patterns of stagnant qi & blood stasis with pain & soreness in the chest, flanks, & hypochondria.2. Expels wind & alleviates pain: a leading herb for any externally contracted wind disorder characterized by headache, dizziness, or painful obsstruction. Also used for a variety of skin problems caused by wind. 3. Headaches: moves the qi upward & alleviates pain. Depending with which other herbs it is combined, it can be used for headaches due to wind, heat, cold, or blood deficiency. |
MeridiansLiver, Gallbladder, Pericardium |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with heat signs, headaches due to ascendant Liver yang, qi deficiency, or excessive menstrual bleeding. Vomiting & dizziness may occur from overdosage. May antagonize shan zhu yu & huang qi, may counteract hua shi & huang lian, & may be incompatible with li lu. |
Sheng Di Huang / Rehmannia Root, Unprepared | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Sweet, Bitter • Temperature: Cold • Category: Clear Heat • Sub Category: Cool Blood | |||
Dosage9-30g |
Actions1. Clears heat & cools the blood: for all warm-febrile diseases where heat enters the nutritive level causing very high fever, thirst, & a scarlet tongue. Also indicated in cases of hemorrhage due to heat entering the blood level.2. Nourishes the yin & generates fluids: for yin deficiency with heat signs, as well as injury to the body's fluids. Manifestations include dry mouth, continuous low-grade fever, & constipation. Also for throat pain associated with yin deficiency. 3. Cools the upward-blazing of Heart fire: for mouth & tongue sores, & for irritability, insomnia, afternoon or low-grade fevers, & malar flush. 4. Wasting & thirsting disorder. |
MeridiansHeart, Kidney, Liver |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of Spleen deficiency with dampness, yang deficiency, & in pregnant women with blood deficiency or Spleen or Stomach deficiency. |
Tao Ren / Peach Kernel (Seed) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Bitter, Sweet • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Regulate Blood • Sub Category: Invigorate Blood | |||
Dosage4.5-9g |
Actions1. Breaks up blood stasis: an important herb used in resolving many kinds of problems associated with blood stasis, including menstrual disorders, abdominal pain, traumatic inury, flank pain, Lung abscess, & Intestinal abscess with immobile abdominal mass.2. Moistens the Intestines & unblocks the bowels: for constipation due to dry Intestines. 2. Moistens the Intestines & unblocks the bowels: for constipation due to dry Intestines. |
MeridiansHeart, Large Intestine, Liver, Lung |
Cautions |
Cang Zhu / Atractylodes (Black) Rhizome | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Transform Damp - Aromatic • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage4.5-9g |
Actions1. Strongly dries dampness & strengthens the Spleen: for dampness obstructing the middle burner & blocking the transportive & transformative functions of the Spleen. Symptoms include reduced appetite, diarrhea, epigastric distention & pressure, fatigue, nausea & vomting, & a thick, greasy tongue coating.2. Expels wind-dampness: for painful obstruction due to wind-cold-dampness in the extremities. 3. Clears dampness in the lower burner: for damp-heat pouring downward (as in leg qi), vaginal discharge, & swollen, sore joints. Although this herb is warm, it is very effective in drying dampness; when combined with herbs that clear heat, it is used for damp-heat disorders. 4. Induces sweating & releases exterior disorders: for headache, body aches, absence of sweating & /or oozing yin sores due to wind-damp-cold pathogenic influence. |
MeridiansSpleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases with excessive sweating due to qi deficiency, or yin deficiency with interior heat. Use with caution in cases of loose, watery stools. |
Fu Ling / Poria, Hoelen, Tuckahoe | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Sweet, Bland • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Drain Damp • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage9-15g, up to 60g |
Actions1. Promotes urination & leaches out dampness: for urinary difficulty, diarrhea, or edema due to stagnation of fluids or dampness. Also used in cases of scanty urine due to damp-heat (more often in its red form).2. Strengthens the Spleen & harmonizes the middle burner: for Spleen deficiency compounded by dampness with such symptoms as loss of appetite, diarrhea, & epigastric distention. 3. Strengthens the Spleen & transforms phlegm: for Spleen deficiency with congested fluids in which phlegm moves upward with such symptoms as palpitations, headache, dizziness, & a thick, greasy tongue coating. 4. Quites the Heart & calms the spirit: for palpiations, insomnia, or forgetfulness. |
MeridiansHeart, Spleen, Lung |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of frequent, copious urine due to cold from deficiency. May counteract di yu, qin jiao & bie jia. Taking this herb in large doses or long-term is discouraged. |
Niu Xi / Achyranthes Root | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Bitter, sour • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Regulate Blood • Sub Category: Invigorate Blood | |||
Dosage4.5-9g |
ActionsInvigorates and expels blood stasis with symptoms of dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and lochoschesis.Strengthens sinews and bones, assists the joints with symptoms of pain and soreness in the low back and knees due to Liver and Kidney deficiency. |
MeridiansLiver, Kidney |
Cautions |
Wei Ling Xian / Clematis Root | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Acrid, Salty • Temperature: Warm • Category: Dispel Wind-Damp-Cold • Sub Category: Pain Relieving | |||
Dosage6-12g |
Actions1. Dispels wind-dampness, unblocks the channels, & alleviates pain: especially useful in treating wind painful obstruction as it both releases the exterior & promotes the movement of qi in the channels.2. Softens & transforms fish bones lodged in the throat. This herb is ineffective in the treatment of deeply lodged or relatively large bones. 3. Also used for focal distention & accumulation in the middle burner because it reduces phlegm & pathogenic water. |
MeridiansBladder |
CautionsContraindicated for patterns of qi & blood deficiency. |
Fang Ji (Han) / Stephania Tetrandra Root | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Bitter, Acrid • Temperature: Cold • Category: Drain Damp • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Promotes urination & reduces edema: for edema (especially in lower parts of the body), damp leg qi, gurgling sounds in the intestines, abdominal distention, or ascites due to dampness accumulating in the lower burner.2. Expels wind-dampness & alleviates pain: for wind-damp-heat collecting in the channels with such symptoms as fever & red, swollen, hot, & painful joints. |
MeridiansBladder, Spleen, Kidney |
CautionsUse with caution in cases of yin deficiency. Contraindicated in cases with interior dampness. |
Qiang Huo / Notopterygium Rhizome | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Exterior Releasing - Warm • Sub Category: Aromatic | |||
Dosage6-15g |
Actions1. Releases the exterior & disperses cold: for exterior cold patterns with such symptoms as chills, fever, headache, & body aches & pains. Most commonly used when accompanied by dampness with joint pain, a general feeling of heaviness, sleepiness, or when there is pain in the occipital region.2. Unblocks painful obstruction & alleviates pain: for wind-cold-damp painful obstruction, especially in the upper limbs & back. 3. Guides qi to the greater yang channel & governing vessel: to direct other herbs in a prescription to the areas served by these two channels. |
MeridiansBladder, Kidney |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of blood deficiency, yin deficiency, & exterior deficiency. Overdosage may cause nausea & vomiting. |
Fang Feng / Siler Root, (Ledebouriella Root) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Acrid, Sweet • Temperature: Slightly Warm • Category: Exterior Releasing - Warm • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Releases the exterior & expels wind: for headache, chills, & body aches due to externally contracted wind-cold.2. Expels wind-dampness & alleviates pain: for exterior wind-damp painful obstruction, especially when wind is predominant. 3. Expels wind: as an auxiliary herb to alleviate trembling of the hands & feet & tetany. Also for intestinal wind due to imbalance between the Spleen & Liver manifested in recurrent, painful diarrhea with bright blood in the stool. Also for migraine headaches. |
MeridiansBladder, Liver, Spleen |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of blood deficiency with spasms, & for yin deficiency with heat signs. According to some traditional texts, this herb antagonizes gan jiang & li lu, & counteracts bei xie. |
Long Dan Cao / Gentian (Chinese) Root | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Bitter • Temperature: Cold • Category: Clear Heat • Sub Category: Drain Damp | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Drains damp-heat from the Liver & Gallbladder channels: for damp-heat in the upper portion of the Gallbladder channel with such symptoms as red, swollen sore throat & eyes, swollen & painful ears, or sudden deafness. Also for damp-heat in the Liver or Gallbladder channels (especially the lower parts) with such symptoms as jaundice, pain, swelling or dampness in the genital area, or foul-smelling vaginal discharge & itching.2. Drains & pacifies excessive Liver fire: for Liver fire blazing upward with headache or red eyes. Also for Liver wind-heat with fever, spasms, convulsions, or flank pain. |
MeridiansGallbladder, Liver, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of Spleen or Stomach deficiency with diarrhea. |
Bai Zhi / Angelica Root (Dahurica) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Exterior Releasing - Warm • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Expels wind & alleviates pain: for patterns of externally contracted wind-cold, especially those with headache. Also for supraorbital pain, nasal congestion & toothaches. While primarily a warming herb, it can be used for any problem due to wind invading the yang brightness channels of the head.2. Reduces swelling & expels pus: for early stages of surface sores & carbuncles. If the sore, ulcer, or carbuncle has not yet suppurated, this herb will help reduce the swelling. If pus has already formed or the sore has ulcerates, the herb can be used to help discourage the pus. 3. Expels dampness & alleviates discharge: usually for vaginal discharge due to damp-cold in the lower burner, but with the appropriate herbs can also be used to treat vaginal discharge from damp-heat. 4. Opens up the nasal passages: for sinus congestion. |
MeridiansLung, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of blood or yin deficiency because it is very drying. Use with caution if pus drains smoothly from sores. Some traditional sources say that this herb antagonizes xuan fu hua. |
Chen Pi / Citrus (Tangerine) Peel - Aged, Matured | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Regulate Qi • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage3-9g |
Actions1. Regulates the qi, improves the transportive funaction of the Spleen, adjusts the middle, & relieves the diaphragm: for Spleen or Stomach, stagnant qi patterns with such symptoms as epigastic or abdominal distention, fullness, bloating, belching, & nausea & vomiting. This herb promotes the movement of qi in general while specifically directing it downward. Its is therefore commonly used in treating many different types of nausea & vomiting.2. Dries dampness & transforms phlegm: an important herb for phlegm-damp coughs with a stifling sensation in the chest & /or diaphragm, & copious, viscous sputum. Also used for damp turbidity obstructing the middle with a stifling sensation in the chest, abdominal distention, loss of appetite, fatigue, loose stool, & a thick, greasy tongue coating. An important qi-level herb of both the Spleen & Lung channels, it is especially appropriate for disorders involving both channels. 3. Helps prevent stagnation: used with tonifying herbs to prevent their cloying nature from causing stagnation. |
MeridiansLung, Spleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of dry cough due to yin or qi deficiency. Use with caution when the tongue is red, & in cases with hot phlegm or dry heat coughs, or spittting of blood. |
Gan Cao / Licorice Root (Chinese) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Neutral (raw root) • Category: Tonic / Harmonize • Sub Category: Tonify Qi | |||
Dosage2-12g |
Actions1. Tonifies the Spleen & augments the qi: commonly used for Spleen deficiency with shortness of breath, lassitude, & loose stools. Also for qi or blood deficiency patterns with an irregular or intermittent pulse & /or palpitations.2. Moistens the Lungs & stops coughing: for coughing & wheezing. Because of its neutral properties, it can be used for either heat or cold in the Lungs. 3. Clears heat & relieves fire toxicity: used raw for carbuncles, sores, or sore throat due to fire toxin. For this purpose, it can be taken internally or applied topically. 4. Moderates spasms & alleviates pain: for painful spasms of the abdomen or legs. 5. Moderates & harmonizes the characteristics of other herbs: by virtue of its sweet, neutral, & moderating properties, this herb moderates hot & cold herbs, & mitigates the violent properties of other herbs. Since it is said to enter all 12 primary channels, it can lead & conduct other herbs into the channels. 6. Used as an antidote for a variety of toxic substances, both internally & topically. 7. The raw root clears heat & relieves toxicity, the honey-fried tonifies the middle & moderates spasms. |
MeridiansAll 12 channels (principally the Heart, Lung, Spleen, & Stomach) |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of excess dampness, nausea, or vomiting. May be in compatible with jing da ji, yuan hua, gan sui, & hai zao, & may antagonize yuan zhi. The toxicity of gan cao is very low, but if taken long-term it may cause hypertension &/or edema. Glycyrrhetinic acid has been reported to cause a reduction in the activity of the thyroid & a reducation in the basal metabolic rate. |