Nian Tong Tang
Star拈痛汤 (Lift the Pain Decoction)
Source: Yi Xue Qi Yuan — Zhang Yuan-Su (Yuan)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Nian Tong Tang (Lift the Pain Decoction), from the Yi Xue Qi Yuan (Origins of the Medicine) by Zhang Yuan-Su — a variation of Dang Gui Nian Tong Tang.
Presentation: Damp-heat affecting the limbs and joints: swelling and pain in the limbs, heavy sensations in the shoulders and back, discomfort in the chest and diaphragm.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1193.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Qiang Huo
as printed: Qiang Huo (Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii) 15g
|
15g | 11.9% | — | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 15g
|
15g | 11.9% | — | |
|
Yin Chen
chao (dry-fried) with liquor; as printed: Yin Chen (Herba Artemisiae Scopariae) 15g
|
15g | 11.9% | — | |
|
Fang Feng
as printed: Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae) 9g
|
9g | 7.14% | — | |
|
Cang Zhu
as printed: Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis) 9g
|
9g | 7.14% | — | |
|
Dang Gui
as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 9g
|
9g | 7.14% | — | |
|
Zhi Mu
xi (washed) with liquor; as printed: Zhi Mu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae) 9g
|
9g | 7.14% | — | |
|
Zhu Ling
as printed: Zhu Ling (Polyporus) 9g
|
9g | 7.14% | — | |
|
Ze Xie
as printed: Ze Xie (Rhizoma Alismatis) 9g
|
9g | 7.14% | — | |
|
Sheng Ma
as printed: Sheng Ma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae) 3g
|
3g | 2.38% | — | |
|
Bai Zhu
as printed: Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) 3g
|
3g | 2.38% | — | |
|
Huang Qin
chao (dry-fried); as printed: Huang Qin (Radix Scutellariae) 3g
|
3g | 2.38% | — | |
|
Ge Gen
as printed: Ge Gen (Radix Puerariae Lobatae) 6g
|
6g | 4.76% | — | |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) 6g
|
6g | 4.76% | — | |
|
Ku Shen
jin (soaked) in liquor; as printed: Ku Shen (Radix Sophorae Flavescentis) 6g
|
6g | 4.76% | — |
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 neutral (-0.21)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 21%, cool 19%, neutral 19%, warm 41%.
Pairs warm and cool. 41% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 41% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Small but decisive: Zhi Mu 9g (cold, 7% of the grams), Ze Xie 9g (cold, 7% of the grams), Huang Qin 3g (cold, 2% of the grams), Ku Shen 6g (cold, 5% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 26%
- sweet 37%
- bitter 30%
- bland 7%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 62%
- Stomach 55%
- Kidney 38%
- Liver 38%
- Heart 31%
- Lung 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
Powder; cook 30g of powder in water; take strained, warm.
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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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