Milkvetch roots (Huang Qi) Dong quai (Dang Gui)

Chinese: 当归补血汤

Pinyin: Dāng Guī Bǔ Xiě Tāng

Other names: Tangkuei Decoction to Tonify the Blood

Number of ingredients: 2 herbs

Formula category: Formulas that tonify Blood

  1. Tonifies the Qi
  2. Generates Blood

Contraindications: Use with caution in cases with tidal fever from Yin Deficiency.

Source date: 1247 AD

Source book: Clarifying Doubts about Injury from Internal and External Causes

Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang is a 2-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) as a principal ingredient.

Invented in 1247 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Blood. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies the Qi and 2) generates Blood.

On this page, after a detailed description of each of the two ingredients in Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang helps treat.

The two ingredients in Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang

Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.

1. Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi)

Part used: Dried root

Nature: Warm

Taste(s): Sweet

Meridian affinity: LungSpleen

Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency

Huang Qi not only strongly tonifies the original Qi of the Spleen, but also secures the Exterior. It reaches directly to the Exterior skin and muscle, securing the Protective Yang and amply filling the Exterior level. These are its specific strengths, so it is really marvelous for all disorders involving Exterior Deficiency. Turning this Qi inward will, in turn, facilitate the production of Blood, which is produced by the Qi transformations of the Middle Burner. Furthermore, augmenting Qi also supports movement and transformation, and thereby reinforces the generation of Blood on a second level

Learn more about Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi)

Dang Gui is a deputy ingredient in Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.

2. Dong Quai (Dang Gui)

Part used: Dried root

Nature: Warm

Taste(s): PungentSweet

Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen

Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency

Dang Gui invigorates the Blood. In a related manner, it also replenishes the 'Qi of the Blood' and therefore works particularly well in conjunction with Milkvetch root, which indirectly tonifies the Blood by tonifying the Qi , as previously explained.

Learn more about Dong Quai (Dang Gui)

Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang is used to treat Blood Deficiency

Blood (Xue) is one of Chinese Medicine's vital subtances. Learn more about Blood in Chinese Medicine

Blood Deficiency

Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Blood Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as dizziness, scanty periods, amenorrhea and dull white shallow face. Patients with Blood Deficiency typically exhibit choppy (Se) or fine (Xi) pulses as well as Pale, thin and slightly tongue .

A Deficiency of Blood occurs when their entire body, a part of body or a particular Organ is insufficiently nourished by Blood. This can be caused by a loss of blood, insufficient Spleen Qi to produce Blood or congealed Blood which prevents new Blood from forming.

The Organs most likely to be... read more about Blood Deficiency

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