Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
羌活勝濕湯 · Qiāng Huó Shèng Shī Tāng
A classical formula for wind-damp attacking the exterior with heavy headache, neck stiffness and body ache.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Wind-Damp Dispelling Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Dampness
- Primary Function
- Dispel wind-damp, release exterior, stop pain
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Dispel wind-damp from the exterior and upper body
- Classical Source
- Li Dongyuan school / classical
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for wind-damp attacking the exterior with heavy headache, neck stiffness and body ache.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for exterior wind-damp with heavy head and body ache, rather than chronic deficient bi, exterior wind-cold-damp with more cold, or damp swelling bi.
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
羌活Qiang Huo9g
Notopterygium Root- disperse and expel wind by being acrid dry dampness by being bitter disperse cold by being warm eliminate wind and dispel dampness soothe and dredge joints effective for dispelling wind-dampness in the upper body
獨活Du Huo9g
Pubescent Angelica Root- disperse and expel wind by being acrid dry dampness by being bitter disperse cold by being warm eliminate wind and dispel dampness soothe and dredge joints effective for dispelling wind-dampness in the lower body
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
藁本Gao Ben6g
Ligusticum Root- enter taiyang channel dispel wind and overcome dampness effective for relieving headache
防風Fang Feng6g
Saposhnikovia Root- enter taiyang channel dispel wind and overcome dampness effective for relieving headache
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
Classical Composition
- Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qiang Huo) 1 qian (6g)
- Angelicae Pubescentis Radix (Du Huo) 1 qian (6g)
- Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix (Gao Ben) 5 fen (3g)
- Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fang Feng) 5 fen (3g)
- Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle (Zhi Gan Cao) 5 fen (3g)
- Viticis Fructus (Man Jing Zi) 3 fen (2g)
- Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuan Xiong) 1 liang (6g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Dispels wind
- overcomes dampness
- and relieves pain.
Indications
- Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang is indicated for bi syndrome caused by wind-dampness in the exterior.
- The symptoms are pain of the shoulder and back, headache and heavy body sensation, pain of the waist and spine that make the patient unable to turn over.
Tongue & pulseThe coating is white and the pulse is floating.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This formula treats wind-dampness lying in the exterior which is caused by wind invasion while sweating, living in a damp place for a long time, or wind-damp invasion.
- Pathogenic wind-dampness invades the hand taiyang channel and blocks its qi causing headache and heavy body sensation and pain of the waist and spine that makes the patient unable to turn around.
- As wind-cold lies in the exterior and it is proper to induce sweating, the proper treatment is to treat by dispelling wind and overcoming dampness.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment principle is to dispel wind-damp from the exterior and upper body.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang, Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang and Yi Yi Ren Tang dispel wind-damp. Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang tonifies for chronic bi; Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang releases exterior wind-cold-damp; Yi Yi Ren Tang drains damp swelling. Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang dispels exterior wind-damp for heavy headache, neck stiffness and body ache.
Clinical Differentiation
- Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang is a frequently used formula used to treat headache and heavy body sensation due to wind-dampness in the exterior and a mild exterior syndrome.
- This clinical pattern is marked by headache and heavy body, pain of waist and spine, white coating, floating pulse.
Safety notes: This formula is acrid and drying. It is not appropriate for yin-deficiency heat or for blood-deficiency wind.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang?
Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang has the actions of dispelling Wind and overcoming Dampness. Li Dongyuan designed it for Wind-Damp that occupies the exterior and the taiyang channel, producing a heavy aching head, neck, and back.
Which modern conditions is Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within exterior Wind-Damp, including a heavy aching common cold of Damp type, neck-and-shoulder stiffness after exposure to wind and damp, and early Wind-Damp body pain before it has become chronic deficiency Bi.
Is Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang suitable for a heavy head, stiff neck, and aching back after damp weather?
For presentations of a heavy or wrapping headache, stiff neck and back, generalized heaviness, possible mild aversion to wind, a white coating, and a floating pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Wind-Damp on the exterior — TCM commonly applies this formula as an adjunct. Sudden severe headache with fever and stiff neck needs medical evaluation.
Related Products
Hoi Tin Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang (Notopterygium Dampness-Overcoming Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
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Nong's Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang (Notopterygium Dampness-Overcoming Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
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Han's Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang (Notopterygium & Dispelling Dampness Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
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Related Articles
Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Wind-Damp Bi, Heavy Body, Headache & Joint Pain
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Chronic Bi Syndrome, Lower Back & Knee Pain with Deficiency
Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Exterior Wind-Cold-Damp with Interior Heat
Yi Yi Ren Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Wind-Damp Bi Syndrome, Swollen Joints & Heaviness
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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.