Si Wu Tang 四物汤
Four Substance Decoction


Tradition:


TCM

Source / Author:


Secret Formulas to Manage Trauma and Reconnect Fractures Received from an Immortal, C. 846

Herb Name

Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia)
Dang Gui
(Chinese angelica)
Bai Shao
(White Peony)
Chuan Xiong
(Sichuan Lovage)

Latin


Rehmannia glutinosa
Angelica sinensis
Paeonia lacti
flora
Ligusticum chuanxiong

Amount


9–18 grams

9–12 grams ea.
3–6 grams

Preparation:


Prepare a standard decoction. Traditionally powdered and 9 grams doses was taken with a draught of hot water.

Function:


Tonify the Blood, nourish the Liver Yin and Blood

Use:


1. Blood deficiency marked by pale face, pale tongue and nails, feeling the cold, poor circulation, dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus etc.; Anemia
2. Main formula for Menstrual irregularities with deficiency; Amenorrhea
3. Irregular Menstruation
4. Little Menstruation with pale, watery blood
5. Excess Uterine Bleeding

6. Lower abdominal pain before the Period; Mild Dysmenorrhea
7. Threatened Miscarriage
8. Postpartum de
ficiency
9. Eczema, Dermatitis, Psoriasis


Dose:


The above is taken over the course of the day
If used as a powder, 3–6 grams 2–3 times a day can be given.

Cautions:


None noted

Modifications:


1. To move the Blood (severe Dysmenorrhea, or fixed, stabbing pain), add Safflower Hong Hua and Peach kernel Tao Ren. This makes Tao Hong Si Wu Tang, Four Substance Decoction with Safflower and Peach kernel.
2. Dysmenorrhea with Qi and Blood stagnation and Blood de
ficiency, add Cyperus Xiang Fu and Corydalis Yan Hu Suo.
3. Severe Blood de
ficiency, add Astragalus Huang Qi; Ginseng can be added if needed.
4. More Severe Blood deficiency, add Astragalus Huang Qi anbd Donkey Hide gelatin (E Jiao)
5. Severe Qi and Blood de
ficiency, combine with Si Jun Zi Tang, Four Gentlemen Decoction.
6. Blood heat with Blood deficiency, use Rehmannia Sheng Di Huang instead of Shu Di Huang, and Paeonia Chi Shao Yao instead of Bai Shao.
7. With Phlegm and Damp, add Citrus Chen Pi and Pinella Ban Xia.
8. Headache due to Blood de
ficiency add Chrysanthemum Ju Hua and Gastrodia Tian Ma.
9. Skin conditions with Liver Heat, combine with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (best used in powder oir pill form).

10 Also for Skin conditions with Heat and Toxin, take with Huang Lian Jie Du Tang.
11 Threatened Miscarriage from Blood deficiency along with Heat, manifesting as Restless Fetus Disorder, or with Spotting, add Scutellaria Huang Qin. This is called Dang Gui San, Dang Gui Powder)
12. Constipation with Blood deficiency, add Cannabis Seed, Rhubarb (Da Huang), Apricot kernel (Xing Ren), Unripe Bitter Orange (Zhi Shi), Magnolia bark (Hou Po). This is called Si Wu Ma Zi Ren Tang, Four Substance with Cannabis seed Pill..

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