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Prescriptions for Warming the Channels and Removing Cold

Dang Gui Si Ni Tang (当归四逆汤)

当归四逆汤 Danggui Sini Tang
By the TCMHH editorial team Not medically reviewed How we work Updated 6 Oct 2026
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Name

Chinese Angelica Decoction for Restoring Yang

The Prescription of 当归四逆汤

Source

The book Shang Han Lun

Ingredients

Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 12 g,Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) 9 g,Shao Yao (Radix Paeoniae) 9 g,Xi Xin (Herba Asari) 1 5 g,Zhi Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata) 5 g,Tong Cao (Medulla Tetrapanacis) 3 g,Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) 8 dates.

Explanation

Dang Gui: The principal drug, being pungent and sweet in flavor and warm in nature, nourishing blood and activating the flow of it.

Gui Zhi: Warming the channels to promote the circulation of blood.

Bai Shao: Enriching blood and regulating Ying.

Xi Xin: Promoting the circulation of blood through the channels to disperse pathogenic cold.

Da Zao and Zhi Gan Cao: Replenishing the spleen-Qi and tempering the actions of all the other ingredients.

Tong Cao: Removing obstructions from the channels.

The Effect of 当归四逆汤

Effect

Warming the channels to expel pathogenic cold, nourishing blood and promoting the flow of it.

Indications

Syndrome due to blood deficiency and exposure to cold, marked by cold limbs, pale tongue with whitish coating, deep thready or indistinct pulse; including such diseases with the above symptoms as thromboangiitis obliterans, peripheral phlebitis polyneuritis and frostbite.

Administrations

Decocted in water for oral dose to be taken 3 times.

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Sources and further reading

We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.

  • Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
  • Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
  • Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
  • NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.

Spotted an error or a better source? Tell us — corrections are logged on our editorial policy page.

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