Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
Star大黄附子汤 (Rhubarb and Prepared Aconite Decoction)
Source: Jin Kui Yao Lue (c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Da Huang Fu Zi Tang (Rhubarb and Prepared Aconite Decoction), from the Jin Kui Yao Lue, is used to warm the Yang and disperse cold; promote bowel movement and reduce accumulation.
Presentation: cold accumulation with undigested food in the intestines; constipation; abdominal pain; hypochondriac pain; cold extremities; tongue: white, sticky coating; pulse: wiry, tight.
Syndrome: Accumulation syndrome due to excess cold in the Middle-Jiao.
Composition strategy:
- Only three herbs but a clear structure and strong action.
- Hot and cold herbs together warm Yang and promote bowel movement; pungent, bitter, warm and cold natures together disperse and descend intestinal Qi.
- Combined Fu Zi + Xi Xin dose exceeds Da Huang, so the formula is warm and Da Huang acts mainly as purgative.
Cautions:
- Fu Zi and Xi Xin are poisonous (marked *).
Source: Yang Y. Chinese Herbal Formulas: Treatment Principles and Composition Strategies. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2010, p. 65.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Da Huang
as printed: Da Huang (Rhei rhizoma)
|
9g | 42.86% | Jun (Chief) | stimulates intestines, moves stool, eliminates accumulation |
|
Zhi Fu Zi
toxic mark * in source; as printed: Fu Zi (Aconiti radix lateralis preparata)
|
9g | 42.86% | Jun (Chief) | warms Lower- and Middle-Jiao to disperse cold |
|
Xi Xin
toxic mark * in source; as printed: Xi Xin (Asari herba)
|
3g | 14.29% | Zuo (Assistant) | warms interior, opens cold obstruction, alleviates pain; enhances Fu Zi |
Dui Yao — Core Herb Pairs
The classical two-herb combinations at the heart of this formula, as recorded on the herbs' own pages — each pair has an action neither herb has alone.
Hot acrid warming paired with cold purging: the combination expels cold accumulation from the interior while the heat of the aconite overrides the cold nature of rhubarb (warm purgation).
Cold accumulation constipation with hypochondriac or abdominal pain and cold limbs. Aconite is toxic; use processed root only, properly decocted; contraindicated in pregnancy.
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net neutral (+0.14)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 43%, warm 14%, hot 43%.
Pairs warm and cool. 57% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 43% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 36%
- sweet 21%
- bitter 43%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 86%
- Heart 57%
- Kidney 57%
- Large intestine 43%
- Stomach 43%
- Pericardium 43%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
Decoction; cook da huang with the other herbs.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 71.
Relationships
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Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
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