Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications

Shn Tng Zh Y Tng

(Drive Out Blood Stasis from a Painful Body Decoction)

COMPOSITION
Tao Ren (Semen Persicae)
Hong Hua (Flos Carthami)
Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis)
Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong)
Mo Yao (Myrrha)
Wu Ling Zhi (Faeces Trogopteri), chao (dry-fried)
Di Long (Pheretima)
Qin Jiao (Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae)
Qiang Huo (Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii)
Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi)
Niu Xi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae)
Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae)

9g
9g
9g
6g
6g
6g
6g
3g
3g
3g
9g
6g

DOSAGE / PREPARATION / ADMINISTRATION

Prepare as a decoction.

located in the shoulder, elbow, waist, leg, or throughout

the whole body.

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

1. Activates qi and blood circulation
2. Dispels blood stagnation and opens the channels and
collaterals
3. Unblocks bi zheng (painful obstruction syndrome) and
relieves pain

In this formula, Tao Ren (Semen Persicae) and Hong Hua

(Flos Carthami) activate blood circulation and eliminate blood stasis. Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis)
and Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) nourish the
blood and promote blood circulation. Mo Yao (Myrrha)
relieves pain by invigorating blood circulation. Wu Ling
Zhi (Faeces Trogopteri) and Di Long (Pheretima) dispel
blood stasis and open the channels and collaterals. Qin
Jiao (Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae) and Qiang Huo
(Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii) dispel wind-dampness
to relieve pain. Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi) activates qi
to relieve pain. Niu Xi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae)
strengthens bones, tendons, and soft tissues. Gan Cao
(Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) harmonizes the herbs
in the formula.

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
Pain due to qi and blood stagnation blocking the channels
and collaterals: pain in the shoulder, elbow, waist and/or
leg; and persistent, generalized pain throughout the whole
body that does not respond to treatment.
CLINICAL APPLICATIONS
Arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica, pain in the lower
back and legs, lumbago, neuralgia, hyperosteogeny, and
allergic purpura.
EXPLANATION
Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang (Drive Out Blood Stasis from a
Painful Body Decoction) activates qi and blood circulation, dispels blood stagnation, opens the channels and
collaterals, and relieves pain. Clinically, it is often used
for pain due to stagnation of qi and blood. Pain may be

MODIFICATIONS
With pain in the upper body, add Ge Gen (Radix
Puerariae Lobatae).
With pain the lower body, add Du Huo (Radix Angelicae
Pubescentis).
With pain in the extremities, add Sang Zhi (Ramulus
Mori) and Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi).

893

Blood-Regulating Formulas

Pinyin Name: Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang

Literal Name: Drive Out Blood Stasis from a Painful Body Decoction
Alternate Name: Cnidium and Notopterygium Combination
Original Source: Yi Lin Gai Cuo (Corrections of Errors Among Physicians) by Wang Qing-Ren in 1830

13

Chapter 13 Blood-Regulating Formulas

Section 1 Blood-Invigorating and Stasis-Removing Formulas

Shn Tng Zh Y Tng

(Drive Out Blood Stasis from a Painful Body Decoction)

Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang (Drive Out Blood Stasis from a Painful Body Decoction)
Diagnosis

Signs and Symptoms

Treatment

Herbs
Tao Ren (Semen Persicae) and Hong Hua (Flos
Carthami) activate blood circulation and
eliminate blood stasis.

Activates qi
and blood
circulation

Pain due to
qi and blood
stagnation

Pain in the shoulder,

elbow, waist, leg and/or the
whole body: qi and blood
stagnation blocking the
channels and collaterals

Dispels blood
stagnation
and opens the
channels and
collaterals
Unblocks bi
zheng (painful
obstruction
syndrome)
and relieves
pain

Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) and Chuan

Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) nourish the blood
and promote blood circulation.
Mo Yao (Myrrha) invigorates blood circulation
and relieves pain.
Wu Ling Zhi (Faeces Trogopteri) and Di Long
(Pheretima) dispel blood stasis and open the
channels and collaterals.
Qin Jiao (Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae) and
Qiang Huo (Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii)
dispel wind-dampness to relieve pain.
Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi) activates qi
circulation to relieve pain.
Niu Xi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae) strengthens
bones, tendons, and soft tissues.
Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae)
harmonizes the herbs.

CAUTIONS / CONTRAINDICATIONS
Use of Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang is contraindicated during
pregnancy.1
PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory: According to in vitro
studies, administration of Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang in
tincture form was effective in relieving pain and reducing
inflammation.2
CLINICAL STUDIES AND RESEARCH
1. Bi zheng (painful obstruction syndrome): Administration
of Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang in 32 patients with bi zheng
(painful obstruction syndrome) was associated with
complete recovery in 12 cases, significant improvement
in 10 cases, moderate improvement in 7 cases, and no
improvement in 3 cases. The overall effectiveness was
90.6%. The herbal formula used Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang as
the base, with the addition of Huang Qi (Radix Astragali)
and Dang Shen (Radix Codonopsis) for qi deficiency; Fang
Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae) and Wei Ling Xian (Radix et
Rhizoma Clematidis) for wind; Zhi Chuan Wu (Radix
Aconiti Praeparata) and Xi Xin (Radix et Rhizoma Asari)
for cold; Fu Ling (Poria) and Yi Yi Ren (Semen Coicis)
for damp; Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) and Sang Zhi

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(Ramulus Mori) for pain in the upper limbs; Sang Ji Sheng

(Herba Taxilli), Xu Duan (Radix Dipsaci), and Gou Ji
(Rhizoma Cibotii) for pain in the lower limbs; Ge Gen
(Radix Puerariae Lobatae) for pain in the neck; and Feng
Fang (Nidus Vespae), Wu Shao She (Zaocys), Quan Xie
(Scorpio), and dry-fried Chuan Shan Jia (Squama Manis)
for stiff joints with deformation. For re bi (heat painful
obstruction), Jin Yin Hua (Flos Lonicerae Japonicae),
Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis), and Huang Bo (Cortex
Phellodendri Chinensis) were added, and Qin Jiao (Radix
Gentianae Macrophyllae), Qiang Huo (Rhizoma et Radix
Notopterygii), and Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong)
were removed. For shi-re bi (damp-heat painful obstruction), Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis), Jin Yin Hua (Flos
Lonicerae Japonicae), and Yu Jin (Radix Curcumae)
were added, and Niu Xi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae),
Qin Jiao (Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae), Qiang Huo
(Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii), and Chuan Xiong
(Rhizoma Chuanxiong) were removed.3
2. Arthritis: Use of modified Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang in
67 patients with arthritis was associated with complete
recovery in 50 patients, significant improvement in 14
cases, and no effect in 3 cases. Modifications included the
addition of Fu Zi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata),
Xi Xin (Radix et Rhizoma Asari), and Wei Ling Xian

Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications

Shn Tng Zh Y Tng

(Radix et Rhizoma Clematidis) for arthritis due to cold;
Ren Dong Teng (Caulis Lonicerae Japonicae), Shi Gao
(Gypsum Fibrosum), Huang Bo (Cortex Phellodendri
Chinensis), and Yi Yi Ren (Semen Coicis), and removal
of Qiang Huo (Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii), for
arthritis due to heat; Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) for
stiffness of the tendons and ligaments; and Jin Qian Bai
Hua She (Bungarus Parvus) and Wu Shao She (Zaocys)
for mobile arthritis that affects multiple joints.4
3. Rheumatoid arthritis: One study of 46 patients with
rheumatoid arthritis reported marked success using
modified Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang. Of 46 patients, the
study reported recovery in 12 cases, improvement in 25
cases, slight improvement in 7 cases, and no effect in 2
cases. The duration of treatment was 2 months per course
of treatment, for 3 courses total. The study also noted
that the effect of the herbs was comparable to or better
than that in the control group that received aspirin. The
herbal formula contained Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang as the
base formula, and added Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi),
Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae), and Wei Ling Xian
(Radix et Rhizoma Clematidis) for wind-dampness;
Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi), Gan Jiang (Rhizoma
Zingiberis), and Fu Ling (Poria) for damp-cold; addition of Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis), Huang Bo
(Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis), and Fang Feng (Radix
Saposhnikoviae), and removal of Qiang Huo (Rhizoma
et Radix Notopterygii), for damp-heat; the addition of Di
Huang (Radix Rehmanniae), Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii),
and Nu Zhen Zi (Fructus Ligustri Lucidi), and removal
of Qiang Huo (Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii) and
Qin Jiao (Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae), for Kidney
yin deficiency; and the addition of Rou Gui (Cortex
Cinnamomi) and Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni), and
removal of Qiang Huo (Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii)
and Qin Jiao (Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae), for Kidney
yang deficiency.5
4. Sciatica: Administration of Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang for 745 days (average of 17.4 days) in 36 patients with sciatica
was associated with complete recovery in 29 cases,
significant improvement in 6 cases, and no effect in 1
case. The overall effectiveness was 97.2%. Furthermore,
of 24 patients who returned for follow-up one year later,
only 1 had recurrence.6
5. Pain in the lower back and legs: Administration of
Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang has been shown in 2 studies to
effectively treat pain in the lower back and legs. Of 67
patients, the first study reported complete recovery in 53
cases, improvement in 9 cases, and no effect in 5 cases.7
Of 52 patients in the second study, 12 had complete

recovery, 26 had significant improvement, 9 had moderate

improvement, and 5 had no effect.8
6. Lumbago: One study reported good results using
modified Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang to treat acute low back
pain. Modifications included the addition of Dang Shen
(Radix Codonopsis) and Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) for
qi deficiency; and Yan Hu Suo (Rhizoma Corydalis) and
Qi Ye Lian (Radix Schefflerae) for severe pain. The herbal
treatment also was applied topically to the affected area.
Of 15 patients, the study reported complete recovery in
8 cases, significant improvement in 3 cases, moderate
improvement in 3 cases, and no benefit in 1 case.9
7. Hyperosteogeny: Hyperosteogeny of the lumbar spine
was treated with modified Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang with
good results. Of 25 patients, the study reported complete
relief in 18 cases, significant relief in 4 cases, and no effect
in 3 cases.10
8. Allergic purpura: Use of modified Shen Tong Zhu Yu
Tang for treatment of allergic purpura was associated
with marked success in 30 patients (between 11-59 years
of age with 2 days to 3 years history of illness). The
herbal treatment contained Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae
Sinensis) 15g, Hong Hua (Flos Carthami) 12g, Mo Yao
(Myrrha) 12g, Wu Ling Zhi (Faeces Trogopteri) 12g,
Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi) 12g, Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma
Chuanxiong) 10g, Tao Ren (Semen Persicae) 10g, Niu
Xi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae) 9g, Qin Jiao (Radix
Gentianae Macrophyllae) 9g, Di Long (Pheretima) 9g,
Qiang Huo (Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii) 9g, and
Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 6g. Other
modifications were made as needed based on the condition of the individual patients. The herbs were given in
decoction daily for 5-32 days duration. Of 30 patients, the
study reported complete recovery in 26 cases, significant
improvement in 3 cases, and no benefit in one case.11
RELATED FORMULA
Zh Y Tng (Drive Out Blood Stasis Decoction)

Pinyin Name: Zhu Yu Tang

Literal Name: Drive Out Blood Stasis Decoction
Original Source: Jian Tai Zhen Suo Fang (Herbal Prescriptions from Jiantai Clinic) by Chang Wei-Yen in 1981
Tao Ren (Semen Persicae)
Hong Hua (Flos Carthami)
San Leng (Rhizoma Sparganii)
E Zhu (Rhizoma Curcumae)
Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong)

895

Blood-Regulating Formulas

(Drive Out Blood Stasis from a Painful Body Decoction)

13

Chapter 13 Blood-Regulating Formulas

Section 1 Blood-Invigorating and Stasis-Removing Formulas

Shn Tng Zh Y Tng

(Drive Out Blood Stasis from a Painful Body Decoction)

Dan Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Salviae Miltiorrhizae)
Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis)
Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba)
Fu Ling (Poria)
Er Cha (Catechu)
Ji Xue Teng (Caulis Spatholobi)
Xue Jie (Sanguis Draconis)
Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi)
Sang Zhi (Ramulus Mori)
Sheng Ma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae)
Ding Xiang (Flos Caryophylli)
Qiang Huo (Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii)
Qing Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride)
Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi)
Gao Liang Jiang (Rhizoma Alpiniae Officinarum)
Lu Lu Tong (Fructus Liquidambaris)
Qin Jiao (Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae)
Yan Hu Suo (Rhizoma Corydalis)
Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan)
Chuan Niu Xi (Radix Cyathulae)
Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei)
Lian Zi (Semen Nelumbinis)
Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae)
Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae)
Zhu Yu Tang (Drive Out Blood Stasis Decoction) is
designed to treat pain in the extremities due to blood

896

stagnation. It is formulated based on the principles and

ingredients of three classic formulas: Shen Tong Zhu
Yu Tang (Drive Out Blood Stasis from a Painful Body
Decoction) to eliminate blood stasis from the extremities; Dang Gui Si Ni Tang (Tangkuei Decoction for
Frigid Extremities) to warm the channels and disperse
cold; and Zheng Gu Zi Jin Dan (Purple and Gold Pill for
Righteous Bones) to activate blood circulation and dispel
blood stasis. Clinical applications include peripheral
neuropathy, polyneuropathy, diabetic neuropathy, distal
polyneuropathy, and neuralgia.
References
1. Zhong Yao Ming Fang Yao Li Yu Ying Yong (Pharmacology and
Applications of Famous Herbal Formulas) 1989;466-468.
2. Zhong Yao Yan Jiu (Research of Chinese Herbology) 1993;6(4):15.
3. Xin Zhong Yi (New Chinese Medicine) 1995;9:42.
4. Yun Nan Zhong Yao Zhi (Yunan Journal of Chinese Herbal Medicine)
1989;3:46.
5. Bei Jing Zhong Yi Za Zhi (Beijing Journal of Chinese Medicine)
1988;6:35.
6. Si Chuan Zhong Yi (Sichuan Chinese Medicine) 1985;11:50.
7. Hu Nan Zhong Yi Za Zhi (Hunan Journal of Chinese Medicine)
1987;1:12.
8. Zhe Jiang Zhong Yi Za Zhi (Zhejiang Journal of Chinese Medicine)
1987;10:452.
9. Guang Xi Zhong Yi Yao (Guangxi Chinese Medicine and Herbology)
1987;2:47.
10. Gan Su Zhong Yi (Gansu Chinese Medicine) 1993;9:46.
11. Bei Jing Zhong Yi (Beijing Chinese Medicine) 1995;4:43.