Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang — Relax Channels & Invigorate Blood

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang — the “Relax the Channels and Invigorate the Blood Decoction” — is from the Ming-dynasty Wan Bing Hui Chun. It addresses chronic Wind-Damp-Cold obstruction of the channels combined with Blood stasis — the picture of long-standing joint or nerve pain that has both stagnation and accumulation features, where the pain is fixed and deep but also worse with damp weather.

The formula combines Wind-Damp herbs (Qiang Huo, Du Huo, Wei Ling Xian) with Blood-moving herbs (Tao Ren, Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Niu Xi, Bai Shao), Damp-resolving herbs (Cang Zhu, Fu Ling) and a small amount of Sheng Di, plus Gan Cao and Sheng Jiang.

I prescribe Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang is prescribed for Wind-Damp-Cold obstruction with Blood stasis in the channels:

• Chronic deep, fixed joint or limb pain
• Lower limb numbness or weakness
• Worse with damp weather
• History of injury or chronic strain
• Tongue — pale to purplish, white coat
• Pulse — wiry, choppy

Key herbs

1. Qiang Huo (Rz. seu Rx. Notopterygii, 1-1.8g), Du Huo — expel Wind-Damp from upper and lower body
2. Wei Ling Xian (Rx. Clematidis, 2-3g) — opens channels
3. Cang Zhu (Rz. Atractylodis, 1-3g) — dries Damp
4. Fu Ling (Poria, 1-2.1g) — drains Damp
5. Tao Ren (Sm. Persicae, 2-3g) — moves Blood
6. Dang Gui (Rx. Angelicae Sinensis, 2-3.5g), Chuan Xiong (Rz. Chuanxiong, 1.8-2g), Bai Shao (Rx. Paeoniae Alba, 2.5-4.5g), Sheng Di (Rx. Rehmanniae, 2-3g) — nourish and move Blood
7. Niu Xi (Rx. Achyranthis Bidentatae, 2-3g) — moves Blood downward to the lower body
8. Bai Zhi (Rx. Angelicae Dahuricae, 1-1.8g) — disperses Wind
9. Long Dan Cao (Rx. Gentianae, 1-1.8g) — small dose, drains Damp-Heat
10. Sheng Jiang (Rz. Zingiberis Recens, 3g), Chen Pi (Per. Citri Reticulatae, 2-3g), Gan Cao (Rx. Glycyrrhizae, 1-1.8g) — harmonise

Formula actions

1. Disperses Wind-Damp-Cold from the channels
2. Moves Blood and resolves stasis
3. Relieves chronic deep pain
4. Restores movement to obstructed limbs

Conditions treated

1. Chronic sciatica with cold-damp and Blood stasis — see sciatica
2. Lumbar radiculopathy
3. Chronic post-traumatic pain
4. Peripheral neuropathy with Wind-Damp pattern
5. Chronic osteoarthritis with concurrent Blood stasis
6. Frozen shoulder with chronic pain — see frozen shoulder
7. Post-stroke residual limb pain and stiffness

Cautions

Contains Tao Ren — not appropriate in pregnancy.

Not appropriate for hot-pattern joint inflammation or acute infections.

Chronic pain needs medical evaluation to identify underlying causes.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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