Dang Gui Yin Zi
Star当归饮子 (Tangkuei Decoction)
Source: Chong Ding Yan Shi Ji Sheng Fang (1253)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Dang Gui Yin Zi (Tangkuei Decoction), from the Chong Ding Yan Shi Ji Sheng Fang (Revised Formulas to Aid the Living from the Yan Family).
Actions: Tonifies the blood and moistens dryness; Dispels wind and relieves itching.
Presentation: Skin disorders caused by blood deficiency and exterior wind: anemia, dry and coarse skin, itching, swelling, abscesses, and ulceration.
Cautions:
- Avoid alcohol and greasy, fatty, deep-fried, spicy, pungent or stimulating foods while taking the formula.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 970.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sheng Di Huang
as printed: Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 11.54% | nourishes blood and tonifies the Kidney | |
|
Dang Gui
as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 11.54% | tonifies and activates blood circulation | |
|
Bai Shao
as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 11.54% | nourishes blood and consolidates yin | |
|
Chuan Xiong
as printed: Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 11.54% | activates and regulates blood circulation | |
|
Ji Li
chao (dry-fried); as printed: Ji Li (Fructus Tribuli) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 11.54% | dispels internal and external wind to relieve itching | |
|
Jing Jie
as printed: Jing Jie (Herba Schizonepetae) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 11.54% | dispels exterior wind | |
|
Fang Feng
as printed: Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 11.54% | dispels exterior wind | |
|
Huang Qi
as printed: Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) 15g [6g]
|
6g | 7.69% | tonifies wei qi and strengthens the exterior | |
|
He Shou Wu
as printed: He Shou Wu (Radix Polygoni Multiflori) 15g [6g]
|
6g | 7.69% | nourishes jing and blood | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 15g [3g]
|
3g | 3.85% | harmonizes the formula |
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 (+0.38)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 12%, cool 12%, neutral 4%, warm 73%.
Taste
- pungent 40%
- sweet 33%
- sour 6%
- bitter 21%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Liver 89%
- Spleen 46%
- Heart 27%
- Lung 23%
- Kidney 19%
- Pericardium 12%
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
Grind into coarse powder; cook 12g with 5 slices of Sheng Jiang in 1.5 large bowls of water down to 80%; take warm, strained, any time of day. Today may be decocted at the bracketed doses.
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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