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Dang Gui Nian Tong Tang当归拈痛汤

Dang Gui Decoction to Pluck Out Pain (Tang-kuei & Anemarrhena Combination)

Expelling Dampness 祛湿剂Clear Heat and Expel Damp 清热祛湿

Ingredients15 herbs

羌Qiang Huo羌活15g君 ChiefDispels wind-damp and frees the joints to stop pain防Fang Feng防风9g臣 DeputyDispels the wind still lodged at the surface升Sheng Ma升麻3g臣 DeputyRaises the clear yang so the turbid damp separates downward葛Ge Gen葛根6g臣 DeputyReleases the muscle layer and eases a stiff neck and back白Bai Zhu白术3g佐 AssistantFortifies the Spleen so damp is not remade苍Cang Zhu苍术9g佐 AssistantDries damp and restores the Spleen's movement
当Dang Gui Shen当归身9g佐 AssistantNourishes and moves blood so the sinews stay moistened
人Ren Shen人参6g佐 AssistantSupports the qi through a long draining course甘Gan Cao甘草15g使 EnvoyHarmonizes the whole and blunts the bitter-cold herbs苦Ku Shen苦参酒浸6g臣 DeputyClears damp-heat in the lower body and the skin黄Huang Qin黄芩炒3g臣 DeputyClears heat and dries damp知Zhi Mu知母酒洗9g佐 AssistantClears heat and protects fluids against the drying herbs茵Yin Chen茵陈酒炒15g君 ChiefClears heat and drains the damp it is bound to猪Zhu Ling猪苓9g臣 DeputyLeads damp-heat out through the urine泽Ze Xie泽泻9g臣 DeputyDrains water and vents heat downward

Indications

Drains dampness and clears heatDispels wind and relieves painful obstructionAugments qi and nourishes blood so draining does not deplete

Damp-heat contending with an external wind pathogen: damp-heat is lodged in the sinews and joints while wind is still at the surface, so the pain wanders and the limbs feel heavy at the same time. The strategy is to drain damp downward and cool the heat rather than to warm and disperse.

Clinical Manifestations

  • Aching, heavy joints with a swollen feeling
  • Damp-heat leg qi — swollen, painful lower legs
  • Red, hot, swollen joints of wind-damp-heat painful obstruction
  • Weeping sores or eczema on the shins
  • Heaviness of the shoulders and back with generalized aching
TongueWhite greasy coating turning slightly yellow
PulseWiry and rapid

Health Categories

Bone & Joint HealthSkin Health

Modern Applications

Gouty arthritisRheumatoid arthritisLower-limb cellulitisEczemaJoint swelling

Common adjustments

Contraindications

Bitter, cold and draining — not for cold-damp painful obstruction that eases with warmth, and not for a Spleen-deficient patient with poor appetite and loose stools unless the tonifying herbs are increased. Not intended for long unsupervised courses.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.

Pregnancy

Avoid self-prescribing in pregnancy — the formula is strongly draining, bitter-cold and surface-dispersing; use only if the treating practitioner judges it appropriate.

Related Formulas

References

Source Yi Xue Qi Yuan 《医学启源》 · Jin dynasty

「湿热为病，肢节烦痛，肩背沉重，胸膈不利，遍身疼痛，下注于胫，肿痛不可忍。」
— 《医学启源》(classical source, public domain)
  1. 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.