This formula is a popular variant of Si Wu Tang (Dang-gui Four Combination) and was first recorded in the 'Golden Mirror of Medicine' (yi zong jin jian), 1742, a 90 volume treatise on general medicine, written by a staff of 80 persons, headed by Wu Qian, under the commission of the Qing imperial government. It was originally used for severe menstrual cramping pain in women with Blood deficiency.
Although often used for this purpose to this day, it may also be used for other gynecological orders. In addition, it may also be used as a base formula for the treatment of a broad range of general medical diseases characterised by pain due to Blood stasis, together with Blood deficiency.
The formula is composed of Blood tonics, such as Rehmannia root (di huang), Angelica root (dang gui) and white Paeonia root (bai shao). The remaining herbal ingredients act to promote blood circulation and alleviate pain.
The Sun Herbal formula has been enhanced with the addition of Cyperus rhizome (xiang fu), which assists the main actions of this formula (i.e. to move the Blood and alleviate pain), by promoting free movement of the Qi. In addition it has the following actions: antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, hypotensive, analgesic, antispasmodic.
The two main herbs in this formula that have the action of activating the Blood to dispel stasis are Prunus persica seed (peach seed) (tao ren) and Carthamus flower (hong hua). Prunus seed has the following actions: anti coagulant, anti hypertensive, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, detoxicant, anti-allergenic, laxative. Carthamus flower has the following actions: cardiac stimulant, dilates the coronary arteries, anti-platelet, antilipemic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, analgesic, diuretic, immune stimulant, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, emmenagogue, diaphoretic, induces interferon.
- Traditionally used in Chinese medicine to invigorate Blood
- Traditionally used in Chinese medicine to strengthen Blood
- Traditionally used in Chinese medicine to resolve blood-stasis
