Tian Tai Wu Yao San
Star天台乌药散 (Top Quality Lindera Powder)
Source: Yi Xue Fa Ming (1117)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Tian Tai Wu Yao San (Top Quality Lindera Powder), from the Yi Xue Fa Ming, is used to promote movement of Liver-Qi; scatter cold in the Lower-Jiao; alleviate pain.
Presentation: cold in the Liver meridian blocking Qi in Lower-Jiao; cramping pain of lower lateral abdomen radiating to testicles; dysmenorrhea; tongue: pale with white coating; pulse: wiry, deep and slow.
Syndrome: Syndrome of Liver-Qi stagnation.
Composition strategy:
- chief's two functions (spread Qi, warm Lower-Jiao) each reinforced by a herb group
- processing Jin Ling Zi with Ba Dou keeps its function while removing its unwanted cold nature
Source: Yang Y. Chinese Herbal Formulas: Treatment Principles and Composition Strategies. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2010, p. 256.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wu Yao
as printed: Wu Yao (Linderae radix)
|
12g | 20% | Jun (Chief) | warm Lower-Jiao, move Qi in Liver/Kidney/Bladder meridians, relieve cramping pain |
|
Mu Xiang
toxic mark ** in source; as printed: Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae radix)
|
6g | 10% | Chen (Deputy) | regulate Liver-Qi, relieve lower abdominal pain |
|
Xiao Hui Xiang
as printed: Xiao Hui Xiang (Foeniculi fructus)
|
6g | 10% | Chen (Deputy) | warm Middle/Lower-Jiao, scatter cold |
|
Qing Pi
as printed: Qing Pi (Citri reticulatae viride pericarpium)
|
6g | 10% | Chen (Deputy) | regulate Liver-Qi, relieve pain |
|
Gao Liang Jiang
as printed: Gao Liang Jiang (Alpiniae officinari rhizoma)
|
9g | 15% | Chen (Deputy) | warm and scatter cold |
|
Bing Lang
as printed: Bing Lang (Arecae semen)
|
9g | 15% | Zuo (Assistant) | move downward, break Qi stagnation |
|
Chuan Lian Zi
as printed: Jin Ling Zi/Chuan Lian Zi (Toosendan fructus)
|
12g | 20% | Zuo (Assistant) | drain Liver-Qi, break stagnation; cold nature removed by processing with Ba Dou |
|
Ba Dou
processing agent only; not used directly in the formula; toxic mark * in source; as printed: Ba Dou (Crotonis fructus)
|
70pieces | 100% | used only in processing Jin Ling Zi |
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 (+0.55)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 20%, warm 65%, hot 15%.
Taste
- pungent 63%
- bitter 38%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Stomach 60%
- Spleen 55%
- Liver 40%
- Kidney 30%
- Large intestine 25%
- Lung 20%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
1 herb without a dose in grams, so left out of every figure above: Ba Dou.
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
Taken with alcohol; Ba Dou (marked with a dagger) used only in processing Jin Ling Zi.
Relationships
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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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