Si Wu Tang

(Four Substance Decoction)

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

Substances in this Formula (4 Total):

	Shu Di Huang (Chinese Foxglove Root, Steamed with Water or Alcohol, Rehmannia) Qty: 9-21 grams Chan: LIV, KI, (HT) Prop: Sweet, Slightly Warm Latin: Processed Radix Rehmanniae Cat: Herbs that Tonify Blood
	Bai Shao (White Peony Root) Qty: 9-15 grams Chan: LIV, SP Prop: Bitter, Sour, Cool Latin: Radix Albus Paeoniae Lactiflorae Cat: Herbs that Tonify Blood
	Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root) Qty: 9-12 grams Chan: HT, LIV, SP Prop: Sweet, Spicy, Bitter, Warm Latin: Radix Angelicae Sinensis Cat: Herbs that Tonify Blood
	Chuan Xiong (Szechuan Lovage Root) Qty: 3-6 grams Chan: LIV, GB, PER Prop: Spicy, Warm Latin: Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong Cat: Herbs that Invigorate Blood and Remove Stagnation

References

Formulas

• 15. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies (First Edition)
  - Dan Bensky
• 18. Handbook of Chinese Herbal Formulas (First Edition)
  - Him Che. Yeung
• 16. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Study Guide (First Edition)
  - Qiao Yi

Herbs

• 13. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica (Revised Edition)
  - Dan Bensky
• 25. Lancet 2000 January 8;355(9198):134-138 (Article)
  - Fugh-Berman A.
• 17. Handbook of Chinese Herbs (Second Edition)
  - Him Che. Yeung
• 12. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology (First Edition)
  - John K. Chen, Tina T. Chen
• 26. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals (Third Edition)
  - Max Wichtl

Only use Chinese herbs or formulas under the direct care and supervision of a licensed Acupuncturist/Herbalist.
Some of the substances included on this website are no longer used, and are included for historical reference only.