Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Star桃红四物汤 (Four Substances Decoction with Safflower and Peach Pit)
Source: Yi Zong Jin Jian (Golden Mirror of Medical Tradition) (Qing, 1742)
Last updated August 30, 2026
Description
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction with Safflower and Peach Pit) is Si Wu Tang modified with Tao Ren and Hong Hua to both nourish Blood and strongly invigorate Blood and dispel stasis. It is the primary formula for Blood deficiency complicated by Blood stasis, commonly used for gynecological conditions with both deficiency and stagnation patterns.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tao Ren | 9g | 17.65% | Jun (Chief) | Breaks up blood stasis and moistens the Intestines |
| Hong Hua | 6g | 11.76% | Jun (Chief) | Invigorates the blood and dispels stasis, unblocks menstruation |
| Shu Di Huang | 12g | 23.53% | Chen (Deputy) | Nourishes blood and enriches yin |
| Dang Gui | 9g | 17.65% | Chen (Deputy) | Nourishes and invigorates the blood |
| Bai Shao | 9g | 17.65% | Zuo (Assistant) | Nourishes blood and preserves yin |
| Chuan Xiong | 6g | 11.76% | Zuo (Assistant) | Moves qi within the blood, dispels stasis |
Total weight: 46g
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 (+0.47)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 18%, neutral 18%, warm 65%.
Taste
- pungent 32%
- sweet 41%
- sour 9%
- bitter 18%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Liver 100%
- Heart 47%
- Spleen 35%
- Lung 29%
- Kidney 24%
- Large intestine 18%
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 30 minutes. Take warm in 2 doses/day.
Dosage
Decoction: 1 dose/day. Contraindicated in pregnancy.
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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