Chinese: 身痛逐瘀汤
Pinyin: Shēn Tòng Zhú Yū Tāng
Other names: Drive Out Stasis from a Painful Body Decoction
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that regulate Blood
Mother formula: Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: LumbagoSciaticaArthritis and thirteen other conditions
- Invigorates Blood
- Unblocks painful obstruction
- Relieves pain
- Invigorate Qi
- Dispels Blood Stagnation
- Unblock 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
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.
Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang is a 12-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Peach Kernels (Tao Ren), Safflowers (Hong Hua) and Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 1830, it belongs to the category of formulas that regulate Blood. Its main actions are: 1) invigorates Blood and 2) unblocks painful obstruction.
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 Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Phlegm in the Channels joints and muscles or Qi And Blood Stagnation. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as muscle cramps, arthralgia or rheumatoid arthritis for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the twelve ingredients in Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang helps treat.
The twelve ingredients in Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang
Tao Ren is a king ingredient in Shen Tong 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 Shen Tong 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 Shen Tong 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 Shen Tong 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 Shen Tong 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 Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it invigorates the Blood and eliminates Blood Stagnation, especially in the upper part of the body.
Dang Gui is a deputy ingredient in Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. 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.
Chuan Niu Xi is a deputy ingredient in Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
5. 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. It also unblocks Channels by removing the painful obstruction. It also remove the stiffness of the joints.
Qin Jiao is a deputy ingredient in Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
6. Gentian Roots (Qin Jiao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Cool
Meridian affinity: GallbladderStomachLiver
Category: Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness
In general Qin Jiao's main actions are as follows: "Clears either acute or chronic, Cold or Hot Wind-Damp conditions. Clears Heat from Yin Deficiency. Lubricates the Intestines and promotes bowel movements."
In the context of Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it expels Wind Damp.
Qiang Huo is a deputy ingredient in Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
7. Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo)
In general Qiang Huo's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold and Dampness. Relieves Wind-Damp-Cold painful obstruction. Directs Qi to the Greater Yang (Tai Yang) channel and the Governing Vessel."
In the context of Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it expels Wind Damp.
Di Long is a deputy ingredient in Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
8. Earthworms (Di Long)
Part used: Dried body of the worm
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Salty
Meridian affinity: BladderSpleenLiver
Category: Herbs that pacify Internal Liver Wind and stop Tremors
In general Di Long's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and calms Internal Liver Wind. Soothes asthma. Opens the channels."
In the context of Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it unblocks Channels by removing the painful obstruction. It also remove the stiffness of the joints.
Mo Yao is an assistant ingredient in Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
9. Myrrh (Mo Yao)
Part used: Dried resin of the tree
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: SpleenHeartLiver
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Mo Yao's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood and relieves Stagnation and pain caused by Blood Stagnation. Assists in wound healing."
In the context of Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it invigorates Blood and Qi so as to stop pain.
Wu Ling Zhi is an assistant ingredient in Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
10. Flying Squirrel Faeces (Wu Ling Zhi)
Part used: Dried faeces
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenLiver
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Wu Ling Zhi's main actions are as follows: "Disperses congealed Blood in the lower abdomen and uterus and relieves pain. Promotes childhood nutrition with Cold Stagnation and focal abdominal swelling."
In the context of Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it invigorates Blood and Qi so as to stop pain.
Xiang Fu is an assistant ingredient in Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
11. Coco-Grass Rhizomes (Xiang Fu)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSanjiaoSpleen
Category: Herbs that regulate Qi
In general Xiang Fu's main actions are as follows: "Unblocks Stagnant Liver Qi and relieves pain. Regulates the Liver and Spleen. Assists the regulation of menses and relieves pain."
In the context of Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it invigorates Blood and Qi so as to stop pain.
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
12. 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 Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang, it is used because it regulates and harmonizes all ingredients.
Conditions and patterns for which Shen Tong 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 Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang is used by TCM practitioners to treat two 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:
Muscle cramps Arthralgia Rheumatoid arthritis Lumbago Arthritis Carpal tunnel syndrome Lateral epicondylitis Epitrochleitis Scapulohumeral periarthritis Sciatica Neuralgia Hyperosteogeny Allergic purpura Tennis elbow Osteoporosis Peripheral neuropathy
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang treats muscle cramps" for instance. Rather, Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind muscle cramps.
Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang.
Body Fluids (Jin Ye) is one of Chinese Medicine's vital subtances. Learn more about Body Fluids in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm in the Channels joints and muscles
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Wiry (Xian)
Symptoms: Numbness Dark skin Joint stiff Joints pain Muscle pain Bone deformities Swelling of the skin Numbness in the limbs Numbness of the muscles Stifling sensation in the chest
Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Phlegm in the Channels joints and muscles. This pattern leads to symptoms such as numbness, bone deformities, joint stiff and joints pain. Patients with Phlegm in the Channels joints and muscles typically exhibit choppy (Se) or wiry (Xian) pulses.
It is a type of the Painful Obstruction Syndrome (Bi Syndrome 痹证). Other Pernicious Influences can also invade Channels, joints and muscles such as Wind, Cold, Dampness and Heat.
The common symptoms of Bi Syndromes are joints pain, stiffness and numbness. Other than these, Phlegm also causes... read more about Phlegm in the Channels joints and muscles
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
Shen Tong 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
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