Dāng Guī Sì Nì Tāng (当归四逆汤, Tangkuei Frigid Extremities Decoction) is a Chinese herbal formula from the Warm interior category, with Dāng Guī and Guì Zhī as chief herbs. It contains Dāng Guī, Guì Zhī, Bái Sháo, Xì Xīn, Mù Tōng (Akebia), Dà Zǎo and Zhì Gān Cǎo. Actions: warms channels; disperses Cold; nourishes Blood; unblocks blood vessels.
| Pinyin | Dāng Guī Sì Nì Tāng (Dang Gui Si Ni Tang) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 当归四逆汤 |
| English | Tangkuei Frigid Extremities Decoction |
| Category | Warm interior |
| Chief | Dāng Guī, Guì Zhī |
| Tongue | Pale |
| Pulse | Deep, thin or faint |
| Cautions | Use Akebia (Mù Tōng). Never substitute Guān Mù Tōng (Aristolochia), which contains nephrotoxic, carcinogenic aristolochic acid. Contraindicated in pregnancy. Contains Xì Xīn (Asarum): keep to low doses; some species contain aristolochic acid. Avoid in Yin deficiency with Heat. |
Ingredients
| Herb | Dose |
|---|---|
| Dāng Guī | 12g |
| Guì Zhī | 9g |
| Bái Sháo | 9g |
| Xì Xīn | 3g |
| Mù Tōng (Akebia) | 6g |
| Dà Zǎo | 25pc |
| Zhì Gān Cǎo | 6g |
Actions
Warms channels; disperses Cold; nourishes Blood; unblocks blood vessels
Indications
Blood deficiency with Cold obstructing channels: cold hands and feet, Raynaud's phenomenon, chilblains, cold menstrual pain
Formulas with similar ingredients
- Guì Zhī Tāng shares Guì Zhī, Bái Sháo, Dà Zǎo and Zhì Gān Cǎo. Only Dāng Guī Sì Nì Tāng has Dāng Guī, Xì Xīn and Mù Tōng; only Guì Zhī Tāng has Shēng Jiāng.
- Xiǎo Jiàn Zhōng Tāng shares Guì Zhī, Bái Sháo, Dà Zǎo and Zhì Gān Cǎo. Only Dāng Guī Sì Nì Tāng has Dāng Guī, Xì Xīn and Mù Tōng; only Xiǎo Jiàn Zhōng Tāng has Yí Táng and Shēng Jiāng.
- Huáng Qí Jiàn Zhōng Tāng shares Guì Zhī, Bái Sháo, Dà Zǎo and Zhì Gān Cǎo. Only Dāng Guī Sì Nì Tāng has Dāng Guī, Xì Xīn and Mù Tōng; only Huáng Qí Jiàn Zhōng Tāng has Huáng Qí, Shēng Jiāng and Yí Táng.
Test yourself
What herbs are in Dāng Guī Sì Nì Tāng?
Dāng Guī Sì Nì Tāng contains Dāng Guī 12g, Guì Zhī 9g, Bái Sháo 9g, Xì Xīn 3g, Mù Tōng (Akebia) 6g, Dà Zǎo 25pc and Zhì Gān Cǎo 6g.
What is Dāng Guī Sì Nì Tāng used for?
Blood deficiency with Cold obstructing channels: cold hands and feet, Raynaud's phenomenon, chilblains, cold menstrual pain.
What are the actions of Dāng Guī Sì Nì Tāng?
Warms channels; disperses Cold; nourishes Blood; unblocks blood vessels.
What tongue and pulse go with Dāng Guī Sì Nì Tāng?
Tongue: Pale. Pulse: Deep, thin or faint.
Use Dāng Guī Sì Nì Tāng in a case
Shen Study cases ask you to name the pattern, then choose the formula and points, and explain why.
Practise a TCM caseShen Study is a study tool. Doses are as taught in standard formula texts; they are not prescribing advice.