Niu Bang Jie Ji Tang
Star牛蒡解肌汤 (Arctium Decoction to Release the Muscle Layer)
Source: Yang Ke Xin De Ji — Gao Bing-Jun (Qing, 1805)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Niu Bang Jie Ji Tang (Arctium Decoction to Release the Muscle Layer), from the Yang Ke Xin De Ji (Collection of Personal Expertise Concerning Skin Lesions) by Gao Bing-Jun.
Actions: Disperses exterior wind and clears heat; Cools the blood and reduces swelling.
Presentation: Localized abscesses and swelling due to exterior wind-heat invasion: phlegm and toxins in the neck, toothache caused by wind-heat, abscesses with redness, swelling, and pain; chills and fever (more fever than chills), mild perspiration, thirst, yellow urine, a white or yellow tongue coating, and a superficial, rapid pulse.
Cautions:
- Use with caution in underlying yin and body fluid deficiency, or without excess heat or fire
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1332.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Niu Bang Zi
as printed: Niu Bang Zi (Fructus Arctii) [10g]
|
10g | 11.63% | disperses wind-heat, eliminates toxins, reduces swelling esp. of head and face | |
|
Bo He
as printed: Bo He (Herba Menthae) [6g]
|
6g | 6.98% | disperses wind-heat, releases the exterior | |
|
Jing Jie
as printed: Jing Jie (Herba Schizonepetae) [6g]
|
6g | 6.98% | disperses wind-heat, releases the exterior | |
|
Lian Qiao
as printed: Lian Qiao (Fructus Forsythiae) [10g]
|
10g | 11.63% | clears heat, eliminates toxins, disperses nodules, reduces abscesses | |
|
Mu Dan Pi
as printed: Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan) [10g]
|
10g | 11.63% | sedates fire and cools the blood | |
|
Xia Ku Cao
as printed: Xia Ku Cao (Spica Prunellae) [12g]
|
12g | 13.95% | sedates fire and cools the blood | |
|
Zhi Zi
as printed: Zhi Zi (Fructus Gardeniae) [10g]
|
10g | 11.63% | sedates fire and cools the blood | |
|
Xuan Shen
as printed: Xuan Shen (Radix Scrophulariae) [10g]
|
10g | 11.63% | sedates heat, eliminates toxins; with Shi Hu nourishes yin | |
|
Shi Hu
as printed: Shi Hu (Caulis Dendrobii) [12g]
|
12g | 13.95% | nourishes yin and body fluids |
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 (-1.23)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 37%, cool 56%, warm 7%.
Taste
- pungent 33%
- sweet 18%
- bitter 46%
- salty 4%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Lung 61%
- Liver 40%
- Stomach 37%
- Kidney 37%
- Heart 35%
- Gallbladder 14%
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. Source doses unavailable; use bracketed doses today.
Relationships
Full-screen graph →Click a node for details · double-click to expand it · Ctrl/⌘ + scroll or two fingers to zoom and pan.
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 Niu Bang Jie Ji Tang.
No notes yet.