Dang Gui Si Ni Tang
Star当归四逆汤 (Tangkuei Decoction for Frigid Extremities)
Source: Shang Han Lun — Zhang Zhongjing (Han, 220)
Last updated August 30, 2026
Description
Dang Gui Si Ni Tang (Tangkuei Decoction for Frigid Extremities) warms the channels and unblocks them, nourishes Blood and disperses Cold. It treats the combination of Blood deficiency and Cold obstructing the channels, causing cold extremities despite no significant interior Cold. The formula is particularly important for cold hands and feet from Blood deficiency-Cold, chilblains, and Raynaud's phenomenon.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dang Gui | 9g | 17.65% | Jun (Chief) | Nourishes and invigorates the blood, warms the channels |
| Gui Zhi | 9g | 17.65% | Chen (Deputy) | Warms the channels and disperses cold to unblock the vessels |
| Bai Shao | 9g | 17.65% | Chen (Deputy) | Nourishes blood and preserves yin, aids Dang Gui |
|
Xi Xin
Low dose; observe the classical ≤3g decoction cap for Xi Xin.
|
3g | 5.88% | Zuo (Assistant) | Scatters cold and unblocks the channels to reach the extremities |
| Tong Cao | 6g | 11.76% | Zuo (Assistant) | Unblocks the vessels and promotes movement |
| Gan Cao | 6g | 11.76% | Shi (Envoy) | Tonifies the middle and harmonizes the formula |
| Da Zao | 9g | 17.65% | Shi (Envoy) | Nourishes blood and harmonizes (classically 25 pieces) |
Total weight: 66g
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 (+0.29)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 29%, neutral 12%, warm 59%.
Pairs warm and cool. 59% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 29% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 24%
- sweet 53%
- sour 9%
- bitter 9%
- bland 6%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 65%
- Heart 53%
- Lung 47%
- Stomach 41%
- Liver 35%
- Kidney 6%
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
Decoct all herbs in water 25–30 minutes. Take warm in 2 doses/day.
Dosage
Decoction: 1 dose/day. Take warm. Can be used long-term for chronic conditions.
Conditions Addressed
Related Formulas
Relationships
Full-screen graph →Click a node for details · double-click to expand it · Ctrl/⌘ + scroll or two fingers to zoom and pan.
Formula family
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 Si Ni Tang.
No notes yet.