Dang Gui Jian Zhong Tang
Star当归建中汤 (Tangkuei Decoction to Construct the Middle)
Source: Qian Jin Yi Fang — Sun Si-Miao (682)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Dang Gui Jian Zhong Tang (Tangkuei Decoction to Construct the Middle), from the Qian Jin Yi Fang (Supplement to the Thousand Ducat Formulas) by Sun Si-Miao — a variation of Xiao Jian Zhong Tang.
Actions: Tonifies the blood; Warms the middle jiao; Relieves pain.
Presentation: Abdominal pain, or lower abdominal pain radiating to the lower back, plus the symptoms of Xiao Jian Zhong Tang; also postpartum generalized deficiency and weakness.
Composition: Dang Gui plus Xiao Jian Zhong Tang (printed with Gui Xin in place of Gui Zhi and Yi Tang 18g).
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 474.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dang Gui
as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 12g
|
12g | 16.67% | — | |
|
Rou Gui
inner bark (gui xin); as printed: Gui Xin (Cortex Rasus Cinnamomi) 9g
|
9g | 12.5% | — | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 6g
|
6g | 8.33% | — | |
|
Bai Shao
as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba, chao (dry-fried) with liquor) 18g
|
18g | 25% | — | |
|
Sheng Jiang
as printed: Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens, qie (sliced)) 9g
|
9g | 12.5% | — | |
|
Da Zao
as printed: Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae, bo (opened)) 12 pieces [4 pieces]
|
4pieces | 100% | — | |
|
Yi Tang
as printed: Yi Tang (Maltosum) 18g
|
18g | 25% | — |
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 slightly warm (+0.54)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 25%, neutral 8%, warm 54%, hot 13%.
Pairs warm and cool. 67% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 25% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 27%
- sweet 48%
- sour 13%
- bitter 13%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 100%
- Liver 54%
- Lung 46%
- Stomach 46%
- Heart 38%
- Kidney 13%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
1 herb without a dose in grams, so left out of every figure above: Da Zao.
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
Cook all but Yi Tang in 10 cups [2,000 mL] water to 3 cups [600 mL]; strain, dissolve Yi Tang over low heat; take 1 cup [200 mL] warm three times daily.
Relationships
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Formula family
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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