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Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction)

Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction)

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Formula 7 of 30 in Formulas that Tonify

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Sub-Category:

  • Formulas that Tonify the Qi

Pattern:

  • Liver Blood Deficiency

Actions:

  • Tonifies and invigorates the blood
  • Regulates the Liver, harmonizes the menses, and alleviates pain.

Indications:

  • Irregular menstruation with scanty flow, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, lower abdominal or periumbilical pain, and PMS
  • Dizziness, fatigue, tinnitus, blurred vision, palpitations, and pale nails and complexion
  • Painful and hard abdominal masses, threatened miscarriage, and lochioschesis.

Possible Tongue Appearance:

  • Pale, purple, or dusky tongue

Possible Pulse Patterns:

  • Wiry and thin pulse
  • Choppy and thin pulse

Western Uses:

  • Dysmenorrhea
  • Irregular Menstruation
  • Pre-Menstrual Syndrome
  • Anemia
  • Threatened Miscarriage
  • Post Partum Weakness
  • Insufficient Lactation
  • Urticaria
  • Neurogenic Headache

Cautions, Contraindications, Herb Drug Interactions:

  • This formula is heavy and cloying and should not be used in cases with loose stool, poor appetite, and indigestion due to Spleen Qi/Yang deficiency
  • Do not use in cases of acute or severe blood loss.

Preparation Notes:

  • Decoction.

Originally Appeared In:

  • Imperial Grace Formulary of the Tai Ping Era (Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang)

Combined Channels of all herbs in this formula:

  • Heart, Kidneys, Liver, Spleen, Pericardium, Gall Bladder

There are 4 Substances in this Chinese Medicne

Shu Di Huang (Chinese Foxglove Root, Steamed with Water or Alcohol, Rehmannia)
Quantity = 9-21 grams
Slightly Warm Shu Di Huang (Processed Radix Rehmanniae)
Channels:
LIV, KI, (HT)
Properties:
Sweet, Slightly Warm
Latin:
Processed Radix Rehmanniae
Chinese:
熟地黄
Tone Marks:
shú dì huáng
Alt Names:
Shu Di
Translation:
Cooked Earth Yellow
Bai Shao (White Peony Root)
Quantity = 9-15 grams
Cool Bai Shao (Radix Albus Paeoniae Lactiflorae)
Channels:
LIV, SP
Properties:
Bitter, Sour, Cool
Latin:
Radix Albus Paeoniae Lactiflorae
Chinese:
白芍
Tone Marks:
bái sháo
Alt Names:
Bai Shao Yao
Translation:
White Peony
Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root)
Quantity = 9-12 grams
Warm Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis)
Channels:
HT, LIV, SP
Properties:
Sweet, Spicy, Bitter, Warm
Latin:
Radix Angelicae Sinensis
Chinese:
当归
Tone Marks:
dāng guī
Translation:
State of Return
Chuan Xiong (Szechuan Lovage Root)
Quantity = 3-6 grams
Warm Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong)
Channels:
LIV, GB, PER
Properties:
Spicy, Warm
Latin:
Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong
Chinese:
川芎
Tone Marks:
chuān xiōng

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References Used

The TCM information presented here has been referenced from numerous sources; including teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the following books, as well as other sources. If you have benefited from this information, please consider supporting the authors and their works by purchasing the books below.

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