Chinese: 圣愈汤
Pinyin: Shèng Yù Tāng
Other names: Sage-like Healing Decoction, Sage Healing Decoction
Chinese: 圣愈汤
Pinyin: Shèng Yù Tāng
Other names: Sage-like Healing Decoction, Sage Healing Decoction
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that tonify Blood
Mother formula: Si Wu Tang
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: Menstrual cramps
Source date: 1336 AD
Source book: Secrets from the Orchid Chamber
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.
Sheng Yu Tang is a 6-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Dong Quai (Dang Gui) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 1336 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Blood. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies Qi and Blood and 2) preserves the Blood.
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 Sheng Yu Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency or Qi and Blood Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as menstrual cramps for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the six ingredients in Sheng Yu Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Sheng Yu Tang helps treat.
Dang Gui is a king ingredient in Sheng Yu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Dang Gui is warming and moistening. It enters the Liver and Heart to tonify and invigorate the Blood. It also moistens the Intestines and regulates the dynamic between the Liver (movement) and Kidneys (storage).
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Ren Shen's main actions are as follows: "Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit)."
In the context of Sheng Yu Tang, it is used because it tonifies Qi.
In general Huang Qi's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Wei Qi and stops perspiration. Tonifies the Spleen Qi and the Yang Qi of the Earth Element. Tonifies the Qi and Blood. Expels pus and assists in the healing of wounds. Helps to regulate water metabolism in the body and reduce edema."
In the context of Sheng Yu Tang, it is used because it tonifies Qi.
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
Meridian affinity: GallbladderLiverPericardium
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Chuan Xiong invigorates the Blood and promote Qi movement. The combination of Dong quai and Chuan Xiong facilitates the production of Blood.
Part used: Prepared dried root tuber
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Shu Di huang's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys."
In the context of Sheng Yu Tang, it is used because it nourishes and invigorates Blood.
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Bai Shao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain."
In the context of Sheng Yu Tang, it is used because it preserve Yin from other herbs' harm such as Szechuan lovage root and Dong quai.
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 Sheng Yu Tang is used by TCM practitioners to treat two different patterns which we describe below.
But before we delve into these patterns it is worth mentioning that they're often associated with the condition "menstrual cramps". Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Sheng Yu Tang treats menstrual cramps". Rather, Sheng Yu Tang is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind menstrual cramps.
Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Sheng Yu Tang.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
Symptoms: Cramps Anxiety Insomnia Dry hair Dry skin Dizziness Pale lips Amenorrhea Depression Poor memory Palpitations Blurred vision Scanty periods Muscle weakness Floaters in eyes Tingling of limbs Dull-pale complexion Dream disturbed sleep Numbness in the limbs Feeling of aimlessness Diminished night vision Propensity to be startled Withered and brittle nails
Sheng Yu Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, insomnia and dream disturbed sleep. Patients with Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency typically exhibit choppy (Se) or fine (Xi) pulses.
The Heart controls Blood circulation while the Liver stores Blood. Only when Heart Blood is plentiful does the Liver have Blood to store. And when Liver Blood is Deficient, Heart Blood is certain to be Deficient also.
As such signs of Heart Blood Deficiency almost always occur along Liver Blood... read more about Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency
Qi is one of Chinese Medicine's vital subtances. Learn more about Qi in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Slowed-down (Huan), Weak (Ruo), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Pale
Symptoms: Edema Fatigue Vertigo Anxiety Insomnia Dry hair Dry skin Dry lips Tingling Numbness Dry eyes Pale face Dizziness Pale lips Hair loss Tiredness Sore back Weak voice Sore knees Depression Low energy Poor memory Pale tongue Watery milk Palpitations Listlessness Loose stools Poor appetite Scanty periods Blurred vision Low milk supply Pale complexion General weakness Aversion to speak Pale color periods Shortness of breath Numbness in the skin Spontaneous sweating Lower abdominal pain Pale menstrual blood Numbness in the limbs Dream disturbed sleep Dull menstrual cramps Feeling of bearing down Thin and watery periods Withered and brittle nails Thin body lacking strength Pain relieved with massage Lethargic and withdrawn state Spontaneous flow of breast milk Menstruation decreases gratually No feeling of distension of the breasts Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth
Sheng Yu Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Qi and Blood Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as general weakness, fatigue, weak voice and pale face. Patients with Qi and Blood Deficiency typically exhibit slowed-down (Huan), weak (Ruo) or fine (Xi) pulses as well as Pale tongue with thin white coating .
The Qi and Blood are from the some origin and these two elements are transformable between each other. The Qi creates the Blood, and vice versa the Blood supplies Qi. Therefore it is quite common both patterns appear at the same time.
When general Qi is Deficient, the patients lack the energy to... read more about Qi and Blood Deficiency
Shen Qi Si Wu Tang is 100% similar to Sheng Yu Tang
Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang is 71% similar to Sheng Yu Tang
Si Wu Tang is 67% similar to Sheng Yu Tang
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang is 67% similar to Sheng Yu Tang
Gu Ben Zhi Beng Tang is 67% similar to Sheng Yu Tang
Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang is 67% similar to Sheng Yu Tang