Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang
Star复元活血汤 (Revive Health by Invigorating the Blood Decoction)
Source: Yi Xue Fa Ming — Li Gao (Jin)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang (Revive Health by Invigorating the Blood Decoction), from the Yi Xue Fa Ming (Medical Innovations) by Li Gao.
Actions: Activates blood circulation and dispels blood stasis; Soothes the Liver and opens the channels and collaterals.
Presentation: Traumatic injuries with stagnation of qi and blood: traumatic or sports injuries, pain and swelling in the chest and hypochondriac region, musculoskeletal or soft tissue injuries, and severe, excruciating pain.
Cautions:
- Contraindicated in pregnancy and in weak, deficient patients
- Use with caution in Spleen qi deficiency; may cause loose stools or diarrhea
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 897.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Da Huang
jin (soaked) in liquor; as printed: Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) 30g
|
30g | 33.33% | Jun (Chief) | drains heat and blood stasis to reduce pain and swelling |
|
Dang Gui
as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 9g
|
9g | 10% | Jun (Chief) | activates blood, removes stasis, reduces swelling and pain |
|
Tao Ren
jin (soaked) in liquor and yan (ground) till muddy; as printed: Tao Ren (Semen Persicae) 50 pieces [9g]
|
9g | 10% | Jun (Chief) | activates blood, removes stasis, reduces swelling and pain |
|
Hong Hua
as printed: Hong Hua (Flos Carthami) 6g
|
6g | 6.67% | Jun (Chief) | activates blood, removes stasis, reduces swelling and pain |
|
Tian Hua Fen
as printed: Tian Hua Fen (Radix Trichosanthis) 9g
|
9g | 10% | Chen (Deputy) | clears heat, reduces swelling, promotes generation of muscle tissue |
|
Chai Hu
as printed: Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) 15g
|
15g | 16.67% | Zuo (Assistant) | smoothes Liver qi stagnation, relieves hypochondriac fullness and pain; guides Da Huang to the hypochondrium |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 6g
|
6g | 6.67% | Shi (Envoy) | relieves spasms and cramps; harmonizes the herbs |
|
Chuan Shan Jia
pao (blast-fried); as printed: Chuan Shan Jia (Squama Manis) 6g
|
6g | 6.67% | breaks up blood stasis and opens the channels and collaterals |
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 (-0.83)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 33%, cool 33%, neutral 17%, warm 17%.
Taste
- pungent 20%
- sweet 22%
- bitter 52%
- salty 7%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Liver 83%
- Stomach 57%
- Spleen 50%
- Pericardium 50%
- Large intestine 43%
- Lung 33%
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 all herbs to a coarse powder except Tao Ren, which is ground until muddy. Cook 30g of the herbs in 1.5 bowls of water plus 0.5 bowl of grain-based liquor down to 70%; take warm and strained before meals. Stop once pain is relieved.
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Da Huang Gan Cao Tang + Dang Gui, Hong Hua, Tao Ren, Tian Hua Fen, Chai Hu and Chuan Shan Jia
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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