Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang当归补血汤
Tangkuei Decoction to Tonify the Blood (Tangkuei & Astragalus Combination)
Ingredients2 herbs
Indications
Blood depletion with floating yang: heavy loss or failure of blood leaves the qi unanchored, and it drifts to the surface as fever and flushing. The pulse — surging on the surface, empty on pressure — decides the diagnosis, not the fever.
Clinical Manifestations
- Fever and flushing with a large but empty pulse after blood loss
- Fatigue, pallor and dizziness of qi and blood depletion
- Recovery after childbirth or surgery
- Sores that discharge for a long time and will not close
- Menstrual or uterine bleeding leaving marked exhaustion
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Fever after childbirth or during menstruation with an exterior element — add Cong Bai 葱白, Dan Dou Chi 淡豆豉, Sheng Jiang 生姜 and Da Zao 大枣
- Chronic sores with residual toxin — add Jin Yin Hua 金银花 and Gan Cao 甘草
- Bleeding that continues — add E Jiao 阿胶, Shan Zhu Yu 山茱萸 and calcined Long Gu 龙骨
- Qi deficiency with sinking (prolapse, bearing-down sensation) — move toward Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang 补中益气汤
Contraindications
The fever of yin deficiency and the fever of excess heat look similar to this pattern and are both worsened by a warm sweet tonic — check the pulse under pressure and the tongue before choosing it. Not for fever with a full, forceful pulse, and not for a red tongue with no coating.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Generally compatible with practitioner judgment, and much used in the postpartum period. It is a warming tonic, so it is not the right choice where there are clear heat signs.
References
Source Nei Wai Shang Bian Huo Lun 《内外伤辨惑论》 · Jin dynasty
「治肌热，燥热，困渴引饮，目赤面红，昼夜不息，其脉洪大而虚，重按全无。」
- Classical source (public domain), cited in the source-quote section.
2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
3. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— pattern analysis cross-checked.
Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.