Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
九味羌活汤 · Jiǔ Wèi Qiāng Huó Tāng
A classical formula for exterior wind-cold-damp with mild interior heat, presenting with chills, fever, headache, body aches and a bitter taste or slight thirst.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Exterior-Releasing Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Wind-Cold
- Primary Function
- Disperse wind-cold-damp, release the exterior, clear interior heat
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Strongly disperse exterior wind-cold-damp while mildly clearing interior heat
- Classical Source
- Ci Shi Nan Zhi (Zhang Yuansu, Jin dynasty)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for exterior wind-cold-damp with mild interior heat, presenting with chills, fever, headache, body aches and a bitter taste or slight thirst.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for exterior wind-cold-damp with early interior heat signs — stronger and broader dispersing than Ma Huang Tang, with a touch of heat-clearing not found in pure cold exterior formulas.
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
防風Fang Feng9g
Saposhnikovia Root- mainly expels wind conquers dampness and cold
- relieves pain
蒼朮Cang Zhu9g
Atractylodes Rhizome- mainly dries out dampness
- dispels wind and disperses cold
- enters the taiyin channel
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
細辛Xi Xin3g
Asarum / Wild Ginger- dispels wind and disperses cold
- strongly relieves pain
- enters the shaoyin channel
川芎Chuan Xiong6g
Chuanxiong Rhizome- dispels wind and disperses cold
- strongly moves qi and invigorates blood to relieve bi symptoms
- enters the shaoyang and jueyin channels
白芷Bai Zhi6g
Angelica Dahurica Root- mainly dispels wind
- disperses cold
- dries out dampness and enters the yangming channel
生地黃Sheng Di Huang9g
Raw Rehmannia Root- clears interior heat and prevent acrid-warm and excessively
- dries ingredients from heating up and damaging fluid
黃芩Huang Qin6g
Scutellaria / Baikal Skullcap- clears heat from the lung
- stomach and liver-gallbladder
使EnvoyGuides and harmonises
Classical Composition
- Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qiang Huo) 1.5 liang (9g)
- Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fang Feng) 1.5 liang (9g)
- Atractylodis Rhizoma (Cang Zhu) 1.5 liang (9g)
- Asari Radix et Rhizoma (Xi Xin) 5 fen (3g)
- Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuan Xiong) 1 liang (6g)
- Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Bai Zhi) 1 liang (3g)
- Rehmanniae Radix (Sheng Di Huang) 1 liang (6g)
- Scutellariae Radix (Huang Qin) 1 liang (6g)
- Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gan Cao) 1 liang (6g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Induces sweating
- expels dampness
- and clears internal heat.
Indications
- Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang is indicated for an exterior pattern with externally contracted wind-cold-dampness complicated by interior heat.
- The symptoms are aversion to cold, fever, absence of sweating, headache, painful stiff nape, pain and soreness of the limbs and body, bitter taste, and thirst.
- The tongue coating is white or light yellow, and the pulse is superficial or superficial and tight.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- When wind-cold-dampness pathogens attack the skin and superficial muscles, wei yang becomes trapped and the striae becomes tightened and closed.
- The channels get obstructed and there is congestion of qi and blood.
- Therefore, there is aversion to cold, fever, absence of sweat, headache and painful stiff nape, and general body aches.
- Interior heat causes bitter taste and slight thirst.
- All of these are clear indications of an exterior pattern complicated by interior heat.
- The treatment should emphasize dispelling wind-cold-dampness pathogens and clearing interior heat.
Clinical presentation
Tongue & pulseThe tongue coating is white or light yellow with a superficial pulse.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment principle is to strongly disperse exterior wind-cold-damp while mildly clearing interior heat.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang disperses wind-cold-damp with mild heat-clearing. Ma Huang Tang is pure exterior excess Wind-Cold. Gui Zhi Tang harmonises for exterior deficiency. Bai Du San releases wind-cold-damp with mild Qi support.
Clinical Differentiation
- This formula is commonly indicated for the pattern characterized by externally contracted wind-cold-dampness complicated by interior heat, and also a representative formula for the principle of “treatment based on channel differentiation”.
- Key signs and symptoms for pattern differentiation include: aversion to cold, fever, headache, absence of perspiration, aching and soreness of the limbs and body, bitter taste, and slight thirst.
Safety notes: Although Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang contains cold natured sheng di huang and huang qin, it is overall an acrid-warm, drying therapy. Consequently, it is not applicable for patients suffering neither an externally contracted wind-heat pattern nor a yin deficiency with an internal heat pattern.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang?
Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang has the actions of inducing sweating, expelling Wind-Cold-Damp, and clearing interior Heat. It simultaneously releases the exterior pathogen and addresses mild Heat that has accumulated internally.
Which modern diseases is Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within exterior Wind-Cold-Damp complicated by interior Heat, including common cold or influenza with prominent body aches and mild thirst or bitter taste, acute myositis or musculoskeletal pain after Cold-Damp exposure, certain headaches or migraines of this pattern, and early flares of joint or muscle pain with corresponding signs.
Is Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang suitable for improving chills, fever without sweating, headache, and body aches with slight thirst?
For presentations of aversion to cold with fever, absence of sweating, headache, stiff neck, generalized body or limb soreness and aching, slight thirst or bitter taste, a white or slightly yellow tongue coating, and a floating pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms exterior Wind-Cold-Damp with interior Heat — TCM commonly applies Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment.
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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.