Niu Huang Cheng Qi Tang
Star牛黄承气汤 (Cattle Gallstone Decoction to Order the Qi)
Source: Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases (1798)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Niu Huang Cheng Qi Tang (Cattle Gallstone Decoction to Order the Qi), from Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases (1798).
Associated formula of An Gong Niu Huang Wan.
Indications: Heat entering the Pericardium with delirious speech and loss of consciousness, constipation, and thirst due to a concurrent yang brightness organ-stage disorder
Pattern: Pericardium heat with concurrent yang brightness organ-stage accumulation
Usage: For Pericardium heat with delirium plus constipation and thirst from a yang brightness organ disorder.
Composition note: Dissolve two pills of the principal formula and add 9g powdered Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (da huang).
Category: Formulas that Clear Heat and Open the Sensory Orifices.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 490.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Da Huang
role: powdered; added to two dissolved pills of the principal formula; as printed: Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (da huang) 9g
|
9g | 100% | — |
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 cold (-2.00)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 100%.
Taste
- bitter 100%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Large intestine 100%
- Stomach 100%
- Spleen 100%
- Pericardium 100%
- Liver 100%
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
Take half of the mixture first, the rest if there is no effect.
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 Huang Cheng Qi Tang.
No notes yet.