Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan
Star大黄蟅虫丸 (Rhubarb and Eupolyphaga Pill)
Source: Jin Gui Yao Lue — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan (Rhubarb and Eupolyphaga Pill), from the Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet) by Zhang Zhong-Jing.
Actions: Breaks up and dispels blood stasis; Generates new blood.
Presentation: Extreme deficiency: emaciation, abdominal distention with an inability to eat, dry, rough and scaly skin, and dark appearance of the eyes with no spirit. These injuries result from the five consumptive lifestyles.
Cautions:
- Mild self-limiting diarrhea may occur (no need to stop)
- Bleeding (mostly gums and nose) may occur; stop temporarily if it becomes profuse or prolonged
- Contraindicated in pregnancy and in amenorrhea due to blood deficiency
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 937.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Da Huang
zheng (steamed); as printed: Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) 300g
|
300g | 24.39% | Jun (Chief) | drains blood stasis, cools blood, clears heat |
|
Tu Bie Chong
as printed: Tu Bie Chong (Eupolyphaga seu Steleophaga) 0.5 cup [30g]
|
30g | 2.44% | Jun (Chief) | drains blood stasis, cools blood, clears heat |
|
Tao Ren
as printed: Tao Ren (Semen Persicae) 1 cup [60g]
|
60g | 4.88% | Chen (Deputy) | assists chiefs to activate blood; with Ku Xing Ren moistens dryness and redirects qi |
|
Gan Qi
as printed: Gan Qi (Resina Toxicodendri) 30g
|
30g | 2.44% | Chen (Deputy) | assists chiefs to activate blood and eliminate stasis in channels and collaterals |
|
Qi Cao
as printed: Qi Cao (Holotrichia) 1 cup [60g]
|
60g | 4.88% | Chen (Deputy) | assists chiefs to activate blood and eliminate stasis |
|
Shui Zhi
as printed: Shui Zhi (Hirudo) 100 pieces [60g]
|
60g | 4.88% | Chen (Deputy) | assists chiefs to activate blood and eliminate stasis |
|
Meng Chong
as printed: Meng Chong (Tabanus) 1 cup [60g]
|
60g | 4.88% | Chen (Deputy) | assists chiefs to activate blood and eliminate stasis |
|
Huang Qin
as printed: Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) 60g
|
60g | 4.88% | Zuo (Assistant) | with Da Huang clears heat from stagnation |
|
Xing Ren
as printed: Ku Xing Ren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum) 1 cup [60g]
|
60g | 4.88% | Zuo (Assistant) | with Tao Ren moistens dryness, removes stasis, redirects qi |
|
Sheng Di Huang
as printed: Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae) 300g
|
300g | 24.39% | Zuo (Assistant) | tonifies blood and nourishes yin |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 90g
|
90g | 7.32% | Shi (Envoy) | harmonizes and protects against the harsh herbs |
|
Bai Shao
as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 120g
|
120g | 9.76% | tonifies blood and nourishes yin |
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.
Together they purge and break up long-standing blood stasis, dissolving dry blood and masses.
Consumptive disorder with dry blood: emaciation, abdominal fullness, rough scaly skin, dark eyes. 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 cool (-1.15)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 56%, cool 15%, neutral 17%, warm 12%.
Small but decisive: Tu Bie Chong 30g (cold, 2% of the grams), Huang Qin 60g (cold, 5% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 1%
- sweet 22%
- sour 5%
- bitter 62%
- salty 10%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Liver 83%
- Spleen 49%
- Heart 42%
- Large intestine 39%
- Stomach 37%
- Kidney 24%
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
Source text: fine powder formed into honey pills the size of small beans; 5 pills with grain-based liquor three times daily. Today usually 3g pills per dose with warm water.
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Di Dang Wan + Xia Yu Xue Tang + Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Gan Qi, Qi Cao, Huang Qin, Sheng Di Huang and Xing Ren
- This formula = Di Dang Tang + Di Dang Wan + Xia Yu Xue Tang + Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Gan Qi, Qi Cao, Huang Qin, Sheng Di Huang and Xing Ren
- This formula = Xia Yu Xue Tang + Di Dang Wan + Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Gan Qi, Qi Cao, Huang Qin, Sheng Di Huang and Xing Ren
- This formula = Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Di Dang Wan + Xia Yu Xue Tang + Gan Qi, Qi Cao, Huang Qin, Sheng Di Huang and Xing Ren
Each entry reads as the larger formula written out: “+” adds its other catalogue cores, then the herbs none of them hold. A catalogue formula counts as a core only when at least 80% of its herbs are present, no more than 1 is absent, and the absent herb is not its chief.
Formula Network
Formulas that share herbs with this one — the closer to the centre, the stronger the match. Click a node to explore.
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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