San Bi Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
三痹湯 · Sān Bì Tāng
A classical formula for wind-cold-damp bi with Qi-blood deficiency, joint pain and numbness.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Wind-Damp Dispelling Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Dampness
- Primary Function
- Dispel wind-damp, tonify Qi and blood, ease bi pain
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Dispel wind-cold-damp and tonify Qi-blood for bi syndrome
- Classical Source
- Classical TCM formulary
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for wind-cold-damp bi with Qi-blood deficiency, joint pain and numbness.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for wind-cold-damp bi with Qi-blood deficiency, rather than heavier essence deficiency, pure channel blockage, or blood-stasis 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
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
防風Fang Feng9g
Saposhnikovia Root- dispels wind
秦艽Qin Jiao9g
Large-Leaf Gentian Root- dispels wind-damp
桂枝Gui Zhi6g
Cinnamon Twig- warms and unblocks the channels
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
當歸Dang Gui9g
Chinese Angelica Root- nourishes and and gently invigorates blood
川芎Chuan Xiong6g
Chuanxiong Rhizome- moves blood and qi and reaches the head and channels
白芍Bai Shao9g
White Peony Root- nourishes blood
- softens the liver and relieves spasmodic pain
人參Ren Shen9g
Ginseng Root- powerfully boosts yuan qi and fortifies the spleen and lung
黃芪Huang Qi12g
Astragalus Root- boosts qi
- upbears yang and stabilizes the exterior
茯苓Fu Ling9g
Poria / Hoelen- fortifies the spleen
- leaches dampness and quiets the heart
杜仲Du Zhong9g
Eucommia Bark- supplements kidney and liver and strengthens the sinews
牛膝Niu Xi9g
Achyranthes Root- invigorates blood
- guides downward and supplements liver and kidney
生地黃Sheng Di Huang6g
Raw Rehmannia Root- cools blood and nourishes yin
細辛Xi Xin6g
Asarum / Wild Ginger- warms the channels
- releases the exterior and opens the orifices
使EnvoyGuides and harmonises
Classical Composition
- Radix Angelicae Pubescentis (Du Huo) 9g
- Radix Saposhnikoviae (Fang Feng) 9g
- Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae (Qin Jiao) 9g
- Ramulus Cinnamomi (Gui Zhi) 6g
- Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Dang Gui) 9g
- Rhizoma Chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong) 6g
- Radix Paeoniae Alba (Bai Shao) 9g
- Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng (Ren Shen) 9g
- Radix Astragali (Huang Qi) 12g
- Poria (Fu Ling) 9g
- Cortex Eucommiae (Du Zhong) 9g
- Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae (Niu Xi) 9g
- Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae (Gan Cao) 3g
- Radix Rehmanniae (Sheng Di Huang) 6g
- Herba Asari (Xi Xin) 6g
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Dispels wind-damp
- boosts qi and blood
- and unblocks the channels in chronic bi.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for chronic wind-cold-damp bi on a background of qi-blood deficiency.
- Signs and symptoms include lingering joint pain, numbness, and weakness.
Tongue & pulseThe pulse is fine or moderate.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This pattern is due to dampness obstructing the middle jiao or channels.
- Dampness is heavy and lingering; it impedes qi movement and produces fullness, heaviness, loose stools or edema.
- Chronic wind-cold-damp bi on a background of qi-blood deficiency produces lingering joint pain, numbness and weakness.
Treatment strategy
- The correct method is to leach out dampness, awaken the spleen, and move qi.
- In this formula the emphasis is to dispel wind-cold-damp and tonify Qi-blood for bi syndrome.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
San Bi Tang, Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, Juan Bi Tang and Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang treat bi syndrome. Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang adds more Liver-Kidney tonification; Juan Bi Tang dispels wind-damp and unblocks channels; Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang invigorates blood for stasis bi. San Bi Tang dispels wind-cold-damp and tonifies Qi-blood for bi with deficiency.
Clinical Differentiation
- San Bi Tang is used for chronic wind-cold-damp bi on a qi-blood deficiency background.
- It is distinguished from Juan Bi Tang (more acute wind-damp) and from Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (liver-kidney deficiency bi of the lower body).
Safety notes: This formula is slightly warm. It is not appropriate for damp-heat bi with red, burning joints.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of San Bi Tang?
San Bi Tang has the actions of dispelling Wind-Cold-Damp, tonifying Qi and Blood, and strengthening the Liver and Kidney. It treats the “three Bi” — Wind, Cold, and Damp — when they have lingered in a person whose Qi and Blood are already deficient.
Which modern diseases is San Bi Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within chronic Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with deficiency, including chronic osteoarthritis or rheumatic joint pain of Cold-damp type, stiffness and spasm of the limbs with fatigue, and lingering low-back and knee pain in depleted patients.
Is San Bi Tang suitable for improving chronic joint pain that worsens in cold, damp weather?
For presentations of aching or heavy joints, possible numbness or spasm of the hands and feet, worse in cold-damp weather, fatigue and a pale complexion, a pale tongue with white coating, and a deep weak pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms the three Bi with Qi-Blood deficiency — TCM commonly applies San Bi Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace evaluation of inflammatory arthritis or structural joint disease.
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San Bi Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Wind-Cold-Damp Bi Syndrome with Qi & Blood Deficiency
Juan Bi Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Wind-Damp Bi Syndrome, Joint Pain & Numbness
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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.