Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Star当归芍药散 (Tangkuei and Peony Powder)
Source: Jin Gui Yao Lue — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Dang Gui Shao Yao San (Tangkuei and Peony Powder), from the Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet) by Zhang Zhong-Jing.
Actions: Nourishes the blood to soften the Liver; Strengthens the Spleen and resolves dampness.
Presentation: Abdominal pain with edema during pregnancy due to blood deficiency and abnormal water circulation: continuous cramping abdominal pain, anemia, a pale face, palpitations, dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, fatigue, lack of energy, sore back, extreme coldness of the hands and feet, and edema.
Toxicology: Little toxicity: no deaths at 8-10 g/kg orally in mice; no fetal abnormalities at 8 g/kg/day for 7-17 days in pregnant rats.
Herb–drug interactions:
- Colchicine-induced learning impairment in rats improved with concurrent use, possibly via increased SOD
- GnRH agonist-induced menopausal symptoms: some relief of hot flashes in all 11 patients, total relief in 4, without significant change in serum estradiol
Pharmacological effects reported:
- Endocrine: stimulates hormone secretion; in vitro stimulated progesterone from preovulatory follicles before the LH surge but suppressed estradiol-17beta from growing follicles
- Ovulatory: 0.5 g/kg induced ovulation in 30% of mice (GnRH 65%, combination 90%); may stimulate steroidogenesis and ovulation
- Uterus: increased uterine weight in rats (abolished by ovariectomy); may promote implantation and early growth
- Hemodynamic: 0.5 g/kg for 17 days lowered blood viscosity in pregnant rats; also hemostatic in injured mice
- Immunostimulant: increased lymphocyte proliferation in aged rats and countered isoprel inhibition
- Radioprotective: 10-20 mg/20g for 7 days before X-irradiation dose-dependently protected mouse hematopoiesis (more CFU-S, less leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and hematocrit drop)
- Antioxidant: free radical scavenging in rats, possibly protective against age-related neurological disease
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 594.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chuan Xiong
as printed: Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) 24g [9g]
|
9g | 7.89% | Chen (Deputy) | activates and regulates blood circulation |
|
Ze Xie
as printed: Ze Xie (Rhizoma Alismatis) 24g
|
24g | 21.05% | Chen (Deputy) | diuretic to relieve edema |
|
Dang Gui
as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 9g
|
9g | 7.89% | Zuo (Assistant) | tonifies and activates blood, regulates menses, relieves abdominal pain |
|
Bai Zhu
as printed: Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) 12g
|
12g | 10.53% | Zuo (Assistant) | strengthens the Spleen and resolves dampness |
|
Fu Ling
as printed: Fu Ling (Poria) 12g
|
12g | 10.53% | Zuo (Assistant) | strengthens the Spleen, resolves dampness, diuretic to relieve edema |
|
Bai Shao
as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 48g
|
48g | 42.11% | nourishes blood, consolidates yin; in large dose relieves spasms and abdominal cramps |
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 cool (-0.58)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 21%, cool 42%, neutral 11%, warm 26%.
Pairs warm and cool. 26% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 63% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 12%
- sweet 25%
- sour 21%
- bitter 26%
- bland 16%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 71%
- Liver 58%
- Kidney 32%
- Heart 18%
- Lung 11%
- Stomach 11%
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: fine powder, 6g per dose with grain-based liquor three times daily. Today also as a decoction twice daily using 9g Chuan Xiong (source specifies 24g).
Click a node for details · double-click to expand it · Ctrl/⌘ + scroll or two fingers to zoom and pan.
Formula family
Full herb lists
- Da Bu Tang = this formula without Ze Xie + Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang + Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Da Zao, Rou Gui, Shan Yao, Sheng Jiang, Shu Di Huang, Wu Wei Zi and Xi Yang Shen
- Tiao Jing Si Hao = this formula without Ze Xie + Tong Qi San + Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Chuan Niu Xi, He Huan Pi, Ju He, Lu Lu Tong, Yi Mu Cao and Yu Jin
- Tiao Jing Er Hao = this formula + Du Qi Wan + Xiao Ying Jian + Chong Wei Zi, Niu Xi, Nu Zhen Zi, Suo Yang and Tu Si Zi
- Xi Tong Fang Er Hao = this formula without Chuan Xiong + Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan + Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Da Zao, Dan Shen, Dang Shen, Du Zhong, Ji Xue Teng, Niu Xi, Qian Nian Jian, Shen Jin Cao, Sheng Di Huang, Sheng Jiang and Wu Jia Pi
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.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Dang Gui Shao Yao San.
No notes yet.