Da Huang Mu Dan Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
大黄牡丹汤 · Dà Huáng Mǔ Dān Tāng
A Jin Gui formula traditionally for intestinal abscess (appendicitis-type presentations in classical terms), with right lower abdominal pain, constipation and heat signs from damp-heat and Blood stasis.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Purgative Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Damp-Heat
- Primary Function
- Drain heat, break stasis, disperse swelling
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Drain heat accumulation, invigorate Blood and reduce intestinal abscess
- Classical Source
- Jin Gui Yao Lue (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A Jin Gui formula traditionally for intestinal abscess (appendicitis-type presentations in classical terms), with right lower abdominal pain, constipation and heat signs from damp-heat and Blood stasis.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for early intestinal abscess with heat and stasis — combining purge, Blood-moving and swelling-dispersing rather than pure exterior-releasing or pure Yangming purge.
Composition: Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Envoy
Every herb in the formula, grouped by the job it does in the classical hierarchy.
君SovereignTreats the main pattern
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
牡丹皮Mu Dan Pi9g
Moutan Bark / Tree Peony Bark- clears heat
- cools the blood and invigorates blood removes stasis
桃仁Tao Ren9g
Peach Kernel- invigorates the blood
- breaks up blood stasis
- dissipates masses and disperses swollen sores
佐/使Assistant & EnvoyTreats accompanying patterns, harmonises the whole
冬瓜子Dong Gua Zi15g
Winter Melon Seed- cleans the intestines
- drains dampness
- drains damp-heat through urination
- expels pus and disperses abscesses
芒硝Mang Xiao9g
Mirabilite / Glauber's Salt- drains heat removes food stagnation
- softens and dissipates hard masses
- assists da huang to purge excess heat
- dissolves and disperses abscesses and sores
Classical Composition
- Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (Da Huang) 4 liang (12g)
- Moutan Cortex (Mu Dan Pi) 1 liang (3g)
- Persicae Semen (Tao Ren) 50 pieces (9g)
- Benincasae Semen (Dong Gua Ren) 0.5 sheng (30g)
- Natrii Sulfas (Mang Xiao) 3 he (9g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Drains heat
- breaks up stasis
- dissipates masses
- and relieves swollen sores.
Indications
- Da Huang Mu Dan Tang is indicated for the initial stage of intestinal abscess caused by the stagnation of dampness, heat, and blood stasis.
- The symptoms are pain which refuses pressure in the right lesser abdomen (lateral aspects of the lower abdomen), pain that can be as severe as strangury or even accompanied with swollen mass in the right lesser abdomen, bent right foot which cannot stretch otherwise the pain being worsened, normal urination, frequent fever, spontaneous sweating, and aversion to cold.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue coating is thin, greasy, and yellow. The pulse is slippery and rapid.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- The binding of qi and blood causes this type of intestinal abscess.
- The pain that refuses pressure, as well as the swollen mass, is generated by damp-heat stagnating and blocking intestinal collaterals.
- Because the right foot is bent, unable to stretch open without increasing the pain, the disease can be concretized as “contracting foot intestinal abscess”.
- The pain may be as severe as strangury; yet the urination is normal, which differentiates it from strangury.
- Frequent fever, spontaneous sweating, and aversion to cold indicate that while there is qi and blood stagnation that has caused the abscess, ying and wei qi have become disharmonious.
Clinical presentation
- The greasy yellow tongue coating and rapid slippery pulses are signs of damp-heat.
Treatment strategy
- Intestinal abscesses caused by stagnation of dampness, heat, and blood stasis should be treated by draining heat and dampness, breaking up stasis, and dissolving the abscess.
How does this formula compare?
| Compare | Da Huang Mu Dan Tang | Da Cheng Qi Tang | Bai Du San |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Drain heat, break stasis, disperse swelling | Strongly purge Heat accumulation and constipation | Release exterior, dispel wind-damp, benefit Qi |
| Formula Category | Purgative Formulas | Purgative Formulas | Exterior-Releasing Formulas |
| Typical TCM Pattern | Damp-Heat | Stomach Heat | Wind-Cold |
| Main Conditions | Abdominal Pain·Constipation·Fever | Constipation·Bloating·Abdominal Pain·Fever | Fever·Cold Limbs·Headache·Cough |
| Main Herbs | Rhubarb Root and Rhizome·Moutan Bark / Tree Peony Bark·Peach Kernel·Winter Melon Seed·Mirabilite / Glauber's Salt | Rhubarb Root and Rhizome·Mirabilite / Glauber's Salt·Magnolia Bark·Immature Bitter Orange | Notopterygium Root·Pubescent Angelica Root·Chuanxiong Rhizome·Bupleurum Root·Platycodon Root |
| Classical Source | Jin Gui Yao Lue (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han) | Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han) | Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang / Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue tradition |
Clinical Perspective
Da Huang Mu Dan Tang drains heat and breaks stasis for intestinal abscess. Da Cheng Qi Tang is the pure Yangming purge. Bai Du San (or Ren Shen Bai Du San) releases exterior toxin for early sores with exterior signs.
Clinical Differentiation
- Da Huang Mu Dan Tang is commonly used to treat intestinal abscesses due to the stagnation of damp, heat, and blood stasis.
- This clinical pattern is marked by pain which refuses pressure in the right lower abdomen, yellow, greasy tongue coating, and rapid, slippery pulse.
Safety notes: Those whose abdominal abscess has been perforated, the elderly, pregnant, postpartum, or the weak should either not use it or use it with caution.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Da Huang Mu Dan Tang?
Da Huang Mu Dan Tang has the actions of draining Heat, breaking up Blood stasis, dispersing accumulation, and reducing swelling. It is the classical formula from the *Jin Gui Yao Lue* for early-stage intestinal abscess (chang yong) caused by Damp-Heat and stagnant Blood in the Intestines.
Which modern diseases is Da Huang Mu Dan Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it (as an adjunct under professional supervision) to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within early-stage Damp-Heat and Blood stasis in the Intestines, including early/simple acute appendicitis before abscess formation, certain acute pelvic inflammatory conditions, and other acute abdominal Heat-stasis patterns such as selected biliary or pancreatic inflammations. Acute abdominal pain always requires prompt modern medical evaluation.
Is Da Huang Mu Dan Tang suitable for improving right lower abdominal pain with fever in early intestinal abscess?
For presentations of right lower abdominal pain and tenderness (possibly with a palpable mass), intermittent fever, sweating with aversion to cold, possible difficulty fully extending the right leg, yellow greasy tongue coating, and a slippery rapid pulse — in the early, pre-suppurative stage of intestinal abscess confirmed by pattern differentiation — TCM may apply Da Huang Mu Dan Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical assessment or treatment of acute abdomen.
Related Products
Nong's Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang (Rhubarb and Moutan Bark Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Related Articles
Da Huang Mu Dan Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Intestinal Abscess, Appendicitis & Blood Stasis with Heat
Bai Du San: Classic TCM Formula for Exterior Wind-Cold-Damp with Qi Deficiency
Da Cheng Qi Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Severe Constipation & Yangming Excess
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Medical Disclaimer
For general TCM education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a chronic condition.