Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Star犀角地黄汤 (Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia Decoction)
Source: Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang (650)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang (Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia Decoction), from the Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang, is used to clear heat from the Xue level; remove fire-toxin; cool blood and nourish Yin; dispel blood stasis and stop bleeding.
Presentation: fever; various bleeding; deep purple erythema and purpura; thirst; delirium; tongue: deep red with a very dry coating; pulse: rapid and thready.
Syndrome: Syndrome of heat at the Xue level (blood level).
Composition strategy:
- Only four ingredients but a complete strategy: cool the blood, stop bleeding and prevent blood stagnation simultaneously
Cautions:
- Xi Jiao is banned (**); substitutes may be used
Source: Yang Y. Chinese Herbal Formulas: Treatment Principles and Composition Strategies. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2010, p. 84.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Xi Jiao
dose printed as 1.5–3 g; toxic mark ** in source; as printed: Xi Jiao (Rhinoceri cornu)
|
g | — | Jun (Chief) | cool Heart blood, reduce fire-toxin |
|
Sheng Di Huang
as printed: Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae radix)
|
30g | 58.82% | Jun (Chief) | large dose; cool blood, nourish Yin |
|
Chi Shao
as printed: Chi Shao Yao (Paeoniae radix rubra)
|
12g | 23.53% | Zuo (Assistant) | cool blood, dissolve congealed blood |
|
Mu Dan Pi
as printed: Mu Dan Pi (Moutan cortex)
|
9g | 17.65% | Zuo (Assistant) | cool blood, dissolve congealed blood |
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.
Clearing heat from the blood level and resolving toxicity is combined with cooling the blood and nourishing yin, stopping bleeding and rashes from blood heat.
Clearing heat from the blood level and resolving toxicity is combined with cooling the blood and nourishing yin, stopping reckless bleeding from heat in the blood.
Rhinoceros horn is banned; modern prescriptions substitute Shui Niu Jiao.
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 nature not shown: the chief herb (Xi Jiao) has no dose in grams.
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 59%, cool 41%.
Taste
- pungent 9%
- sweet 29%
- sour 12%
- bitter 50%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Liver 100%
- Heart 77%
- Kidney 77%
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: Xi Jiao.
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
Source text uses 3g of Rhinocerotis Cornu, coarsely ground and decocted a long time. Now usually decocted unground with doses raised 20-30 percent; chi shao is the usual form of shao yao; Bubali Cornu is cooked separately for 15-20 minutes first; fresh Rehmannia at triple dose is preferred when available.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 165.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- Qing Wen Bai Du Yin = this formula + Jie Geng Tang + Huang Lian, Huang Qin, Xuan Shen, Zhi Zi, Dan Zhu Ye, Lian Qiao, Shi Gao and Zhi Mu
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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