Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang
Star九味羌活汤 (Nine-herb Decoction with Notopterygium)
Source: Si Shi Nan Zhi quoted from the formula of Zhang Yuan Su (1308)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang (Nine-herb Decoction with Notopterygium), from the Si Shi Nan Zhi quoted from the formula of Zhang Yuan Su, is used to induce sweating to expel wind-dampness; clear internal heat.
Presentation: exterior wind-cold-damp syndrome; chills; fever; no sweating; headache with tight, heavy sensation; stiff neck; generalized pain with heaviness; bitter taste in the mouth and thirst (internal heat); tongue: white or yellowish, sticky coating; pulse: superficial.
Syndrome: Wind-cold syndrome - excess condition.
Composition strategy:
- Expels superficial dampness as well as wind and cold.
- Treats coexisting warm and cold; the cold herbs both clear internal heat and offset the pungent-drying herbs' side effects.
Source: Yang Y. Chinese Herbal Formulas: Treatment Principles and Composition Strategies. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2010, p. 46.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Qiang Huo
as printed: Qiang Huo (Notopterygii rhizoma)
|
5g | 16.13% | Jun (Chief) | expels superficial wind, cold and dampness |
|
Fang Feng
as printed: Fang Feng (Saposhnikoviae radix)
|
5g | 16.13% | Chen (Deputy) | assists Qiang Huo |
|
Cang Zhu
as printed: Cang Zhu (Atractylodis rhizoma)
|
5g | 16.13% | Chen (Deputy) | assists Qiang Huo |
|
Xi Xin
helping assistant; toxic mark * in source; as printed: Xi Xin (Asari herba)
|
1g | 3.23% | Zuo (Assistant) | works with chief/deputy; moves Qi and blood, relieves headache and body pain |
|
Chuan Xiong
helping assistant; as printed: Chuan Xiong (Chuanxiong rhizoma)
|
3g | 9.68% | Zuo (Assistant) | moves Qi and blood, relieves headache and body pain |
|
Bai Zhi
helping assistant; as printed: Bai Zhi (Angelicae dahuricae radix)
|
3g | 9.68% | Zuo (Assistant) | moves Qi and blood, relieves headache and body pain |
|
Sheng Di Huang
assistant and corrective assistant; as printed: Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae radix)
|
3g | 9.68% | Zuo (Assistant) | cold herb clearing internal heat; tempers the warm-drying herbs |
|
Huang Qin
assistant and corrective assistant; as printed: Huang Qin (Scutellariae radix)
|
3g | 9.68% | Zuo (Assistant) | cold herb clearing internal heat; tempers the warm-drying herbs |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae radix)
|
3g | 9.68% | Shi (Envoy) | moderates the actions of the other herbs |
Dui Yao — Core Herb Pairs
The classical two-herb combinations at the heart of this formula, as recorded on the herbs' own pages — each pair has an action neither herb has alone.
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 (+0.32)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 19%, neutral 10%, warm 71%.
Small but decisive: Sheng Di Huang 3g (cold, 10% of the grams), Huang Qin 3g (cold, 10% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 47%
- sweet 23%
- bitter 31%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 52%
- Liver 52%
- Stomach 45%
- Lung 32%
- Heart 32%
- Kidney 29%
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
Decoction of the coarsely ground herbs.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 24.
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
Full herb lists
- Da Qiang Huo Tang = this formula without Bai Zhi + Bai Zhu, Du Huo, Han Fang Ji, Huang Lian and Zhi Mu
- Huan Yin Jiu Ku Tang = this formula without Bai Zhi + Qing Wei San + Er Miao San + Chai Hu, Gao Ben, Hong Hua, Jie Geng, Lian Qiao, Long Dan Cao and Zhi Mu
- Shu Jin Li An San = this formula without Xi Xin + Dao Chi San + Zhu Fu Tang + Ban Xia, Chen Pi, Du Huo, Fu Ling, Han Fang Ji, Hong Hua, Lian Qiao, Long Dan Cao, Mu Gua, Niu Xi, Tao Ren, Tian Nan Xing and Wei Ling Xian
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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