Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Star天麻钩藤饮 (Gastrodia and Uncaria Drink)
Source: Za Bing Zheng Zhi Xin Yi (New Meanings in Diagnosis and Treatment of Miscellaneous Diseases) — Hu Guangci (Contemporary, 1958)
Last updated August 30, 2026
Description
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin is the primary formula for Liver Yang rising with wind and heat. It calms the Liver, extinguishes wind, clears heat, and tonifies Liver-Kidney Yin. Widely used for hypertension, stroke prevention, and chronic headache from Liver Yang rising, it combines the immediate calming of Liver Yang with treatment of the underlying Liver-Kidney deficiency.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tian Ma | 9g | 7.69% | Jun (Chief) | Calms Liver, extinguishes wind, stops headache and dizziness. |
| Gou Teng | 12g | 10.26% | Jun (Chief) | Clears Liver heat, extinguishes wind, calms Liver Yang rising. |
|
Shi Jue Ming
as printed: Shi Jue Ming (Haliotidis concha)
|
18g | 15.38% | Jun (Chief) | clears Liver heat, descends Yang and benefits vision |
| Du Zhong | 12g | 10.26% | Chen (Deputy) | Tonifies Liver and Kidney, lowers blood pressure. |
|
Zhi Zi
as printed: Zhi Zi (Gardeniae fructus)
|
9g | 7.69% | Chen (Deputy) | clears Liver and Upper-Jiao heat |
| Huang Qin | 9g | 7.69% | Zuo (Assistant) | Clears heat, sedates Liver fire. |
|
Chuan Niu Xi
as printed: Chuan Niu Xi (Cyathulae radix)
|
12g | 10.26% | Zuo (Assistant) | regulates and descends the blood, clears blood heat |
|
Yi Mu Cao
as printed: Yi Mu Cao (Leonuri herba)
|
9g | 7.69% | Zuo (Assistant) | regulates and descends the blood, clears blood heat |
|
Sang Ji Sheng
as printed: Sang Ji Sheng (Taxilli herba)
|
9g | 7.69% | Zuo (Assistant) | tonifies Liver and Kidney, relaxes the tendons, nourishes blood |
|
Fu Shen
as printed: Fu Shen (Poriae cocos pararadicis)
|
9g | 7.69% | Zuo (Assistant) | calms the mind and improves sleep |
|
Ye Jiao Teng
as printed: Ye Jiao Teng (Polygoni multiflori caulis)
|
9g | 7.69% | Zuo (Assistant) | calms the mind, relaxes the tendons, nourishes blood |
Total weight: 105g
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.
The heavy, sinking action of one anchors ascendant liver yang while the other clears heat and extinguishes wind, together relieving headache, dizziness and tremor.
In this formula Tian Ma and Gou Teng are chief and Shi Jue Ming is a deputy.
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 cool (-0.69)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 31%, cool 18%, neutral 41%, warm 10%.
Small but decisive: Huang Qin 9g (cold, 8% of the grams), Zhi Zi 9g (cold, 8% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 4%
- sweet 45%
- bitter 32%
- salty 15%
- bland 4%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Liver 77%
- Heart 39%
- Kidney 36%
- Pericardium 18%
- Lung 15%
- Spleen 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
Decoct in water 30 minutes. Add Gou Teng in the last 5 minutes to preserve volatile constituents. Take warm.
Dosage
Decoction: 1 dose/day in 2–3 doses. Long-term use appropriate for hypertension.
Conditions Addressed
Related Formulas
Relationships
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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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