Sì Wù Tang

Question 1

Actions

Answer 1

Tonifies the blood and regulates the Liver

Question 2

Indications

Answer 2

dizziness
blurred vision
lusterless complexion and nails
generalized muscle tension
insomnia
palpitations
thin body lacking strength
irregular menstruation with little flow or amenorrhea
periumbilical and lower abdominal pain

menorrhagia
hard abdominal masses with recurrent pain
restless fetus disorder
lochioschesis with a firm and painful abdomen
sporadic fever and chills

T: pale,
P: thin, wiry or thin, choppy

Question 3

Diagnostic Pattern

Answer 3

Generalized blood deficiency and stagnation.

Question 4

Herbs

Answer 4

shú dì huáng
bái sháo
dāng guī
chuān xiōng

Question 5

shú dì huáng

Answer 5

strong tonifying effect on the Liver and Kidneys
nourish the yin of the blood

Question 6

bái sháo

Answer 6

tonifies the blood and preserves the yin
sour and astringent: helps the settle the muscle spasms caused by blood deficiency; particularly well suited to treat abdominal pain

+ shú dì huáng: strong tonic for the blood
rich, cloying and astringent: risk of blood stasis; prevented by other herbs

ability to preserve the yin prevents aromatic nature of dāng guī and chuān xiōng from injuring the yin

Question 7

dāng guī

Answer 7

warming and moistening
enters Liver and Heart to tonify and invigorate blood
moistens the Intestines and regulates the dynamic between the Liver (movement) and Kidneys (storage)

Question 8

chuān xiōng

Answer 8

invigorate the blood and promote the movement of qi
above: directs blood to the head, relieving HA, dizziness, blurred vision
below: moves the sea of blood
facilitating the flow of blood through the vessels and collaterals: releases constraint, opens knotting and alleviates pain

Question 9

Cautions and Contraindications

Answer 9

Should not be used in treating acute, severe blood loss or other problems of blood deficiency characterized by severe weakness and labored breathing. Due to cloying nature of main ingredients, inappropriate for treating patterns characterized by an overabundance of dampness with abdominal fullness, poor appetite, and loose stools.