Si Wu Tang
Star四物汤 (Four Substances Decoction)
Source: Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Song, 1107)
Last updated August 30, 2026
Description
Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) is the foundational formula for nourishing and invigorating Blood. Shu Di Huang and Dang Gui nourish Blood while Chuan Xiong moves Qi and Blood to prevent stagnation. Bai Shao softens the Liver and relieves pain. This formula underlies most gynecological Blood-nourishing formulas in TCM.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shu Di Huang | 12g | 33.33% | Jun (Chief) | Nourishes Blood and enriches Essence as primary tonic. |
| Dang Gui | 9g | 25% | Chen (Deputy) | Tonifies Blood, invigorates Blood, regulates menstruation. |
| Bai Shao | 9g | 25% | Chen (Deputy) | Nourishes Blood, softens Liver, alleviates pain. |
| Chuan Xiong | 6g | 16.67% | Zuo (Assistant) | Invigorates Blood, promotes Qi movement, prevents stagnation. |
Total weight: 36g
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.
Blood and essence are richly nourished while the blood is kept moving, the foundation of blood tonification.
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 (+0.50)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 25%, warm 75%.
Pairs warm and cool. 75% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 25% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 29%
- sweet 46%
- sour 13%
- bitter 13%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Liver 100%
- Spleen 50%
- Kidney 33%
- Heart 25%
- Pericardium 17%
- Gallbladder 17%
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
Decoct in water for 30 minutes. Take warm in 2 doses/day, ideally before meals.
Dosage
Decoction: 1 dose/day. Pills: 6–9g twice daily.
Conditions Addressed
Related Formulas
Relationships
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Formula family
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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