Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang羌活胜湿汤

Notopterygium Decoction to Overcome Dampness

Expelling Dampness 祛湿剂Dispel Wind-Damp 祛风胜湿

Ingredients7 herbs

HerbDosageRoleWhat it does in this formula

羌Qiang Huo羌活Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix6g君 ChiefDispels wind-damp from the upper body and the Tai Yang channel across the neck and back 独Du Huo独活Angelicae Pubescentis Radix6g君 ChiefDispels wind-damp from the lower body — paired with Qiang Huo, the whole body is covered 藁Gao Ben藁本Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix3g臣 DeputyReaches the vertex and nape, relieving a heavy wind-damp headache 防Fang Feng防风Saposhnikoviae Radix3g臣 DeputyDisperses wind throughout the body without harshness 甘Zhi Gan Cao甘草炙Glycyrrhizae Radix Praeparata3g使 EnvoyHarmonizes and moderates a formula made entirely of dispersing herbs

蔓Man Jing Zi蔓荆子Viticis Fructus2g佐 AssistantClears wind from the head and eyes and lifts the muzzy feeling

川Chuan Xiong川芎Chuanxiong Rhizoma1.5g佐 AssistantThe smallest dose in the formula — moves blood in the channels so the wind herbs can act where it aches

Indications

Dispels wind and overcomes dampReleases the exterior and stops painFrees the channels of the neck, shoulders and backRelieves a heavy head and body

Wind-damp lodged in the exterior: wind and damp bind the surface and the Tai Yang channel across the shoulders and back, so the pain is heavy and stiff and the head feels wrapped.

Clinical Manifestations

Stiff, aching neck and shoulders that cannot be turned
Heavy head with a headache like a tight band
Aching of the whole body in damp weather
Low back stiffness that makes turning difficult
Wind-damp aches after exposure to rain or cold damp

TongueWhite coating

PulseFloating

Health Categories

Bone & Joint Health

Modern Applications

Cervical spondylosis Myofascial pain Tension headache Fibromyalgia Low back pain

Common adjustments

Shoulder and back pain is severe — add Jiang Huang 姜黄 and Sang Zhi 桑枝
Low back pain predominates — increase Du Huo 独活 and add Xu Duan 续断
Cold is marked — add Gui Zhi 桂枝 and Sheng Jiang 生姜
Damp has turned to heat with a yellow coating — add Huang Qin 黄芩 and Yi Yi Ren 薏苡仁
Chronic with qi and blood deficiency — add Huang Qi 黄芪 and Dang Gui 当归

Contraindications

For wind-damp at the surface only, and for a short course — the acrid drying herbs consume fluids, so it is wrong in yin deficiency, in a patient with a red dry tongue, and in long-standing pain that has become a deficiency pattern. Neck pain with arm numbness, weakness, or pain after an injury needs medical assessment before manual or herbal treatment.

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

Pregnancy

Use with caution in pregnancy — the formula is strongly acrid and dispersing and contains Chuan Xiong, which moves the blood. Only on a practitioner's judgment, and for a short course.

Related Formulas

Juan Bi Tang蠲痹汤

References

Source 《脾胃论》 · Jin

Classical source of record (public domain).
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.