Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang
Star疏经活血汤 (Relax the Channels and Invigorate the Blood Decoction)
Source: Wan Bing Hui Chun — Gong Ting-Xian (Ming, 1587)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang (Relax the Channels and Invigorate the Blood Decoction), from the Wan Bing Hui Chun (Restoration of Health from the Myriad Diseases) by Gong Ting-Xian.
Actions: Dredges the channels and collaterals; Invigorates blood circulation; Dispels dampness.
Presentation: Body aches caused by exterior pathogens attacking the body with underlying deficiency: severe muscle aches, painful joints, radiating pain and numbness in the legs, and pain in the trunk.
Cautions:
- Avoid raw, cold, or damp foods while taking the formula
Pharmacological effects reported:
- Analgesic and anti-inflammatory: reduced pain and inflammation in adjuvant arthritic rats, attributed mainly to increased blood circulation
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1169.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dang Gui
xi (washed) with liquor; as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 3.6g
|
3.6g | 8.96% | tonifies and activates blood | |
|
Bai Shao
chao (dry-fried) with liquor; as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 11.19% | tonifies and activates blood | |
|
Sheng Di Huang
xi (washed) with liquor; as printed: Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae) 3g
|
3g | 7.46% | tonifies and activates blood | |
|
Chuan Xiong
as printed: Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) 1.8g
|
1.8g | 4.48% | tonifies and activates blood | |
|
Tao Ren
jian (decocted) and chao (dry-fried); as printed: Tao Ren (Semen Persicae) 3g
|
3g | 7.46% | breaks up blood stagnation | |
|
Fu Ling
as printed: Fu Ling (Poria) 2.1g
|
2.1g | 5.22% | dispels dampness through diuresis | |
|
Cang Zhu
jin (soaked) in rice water; as printed: Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis) 3g
|
3g | 7.46% | dries dampness | |
|
Chen Pi
as printed: Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 3g
|
3g | 7.46% | regulates qi and dries dampness | |
|
Qiang Huo
as printed: Qiang Huo (Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii) 1.8g
|
1.8g | 4.48% | activates qi, dispels wind-damp, relieves pain | |
|
Bai Zhi
as printed: Bai Zhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae) 1.8g
|
1.8g | 4.48% | activates qi, dispels wind-damp, relieves pain | |
|
Wei Ling Xian
xi (washed) in liquor; as printed: Wei Ling Xian (Radix et Rhizoma Clematidis) 3g
|
3g | 7.46% | activates qi, dispels wind-damp, relieves pain | |
|
Han Fang Ji
xi (washed) with liquor; as printed: Fang Ji (Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae) 1.8g
|
1.8g | 4.48% | activates qi, dispels wind-damp, relieves pain | |
|
Fang Feng
as printed: Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae) 1.8g
|
1.8g | 4.48% | activates qi, dispels wind-damp, relieves pain | |
|
Long Dan Cao
as printed: Long Dan (Radix et Rhizoma Gentianae) 1.8g
|
1.8g | 4.48% | drains heat and dampness | |
|
Chuan Niu Xi
xi (washed) with liquor; as printed: Chuan Niu Xi (Radix Cyathulae) 3g
|
3g | 7.46% | activates blood and tonifies | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 1.2g
|
1.2g | 2.99% | harmonizes the herbs |
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 (+0.05)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 16%, cool 11%, neutral 23%, warm 49%.
Pairs warm and cool. 49% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 28% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Small but decisive: Sheng Di Huang 3g (cold, 8% of the grams), Han Fang Ji 1.8g (cold, 5% of the grams), Long Dan Cao 1.8g (cold, 5% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 31%
- sweet 24%
- sour 6%
- bitter 33%
- salty 4%
- bland 3%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Liver 63%
- Spleen 52%
- Lung 32%
- Heart 32%
- Kidney 29%
- Stomach 15%
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
Cook with 3 slices Sheng Jiang in water; take warm, strained, on an empty stomach. Avoid raw, cold or damp foods.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Fang Feng Xiong Gui Tang + Sheng Hua Tang + Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Bai Zhi, Cang Zhu, Chen Pi, Chuan Niu Xi, Fu Ling, Han Fang Ji, Long Dan Cao, Qiang Huo and Wei Ling Xian
- This formula = Sheng Hua Tang without Pao Jiang + Fang Feng Xiong Gui Tang + Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Bai Zhi, Cang Zhu, Chen Pi, Chuan Niu Xi, Fu Ling, Han Fang Ji, Long Dan Cao, Qiang Huo and Wei Ling Xian
- This formula = Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Fang Feng Xiong Gui Tang + Sheng Hua Tang + Bai Zhi, Cang Zhu, Chen Pi, Chuan Niu Xi, Fu Ling, Han Fang Ji, Long Dan Cao, Qiang Huo 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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