Si Wu Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
四物汤 · Sì Wù Tāng
The foundational Blood-tonifying formula. Used for Liver Blood deficiency presenting with pale complexion, dizziness, scanty or irregular menstruation, dry skin/hair and a pale tongue with thin pulse.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Blood-Tonifying Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Blood Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Tonify Blood, nourish Liver
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Tonify and regulate the Blood, nourish Liver Blood
- Classical Source
- Xian Shou Li Shang Xu Duan Mi Fang / Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
The foundational Blood-tonifying formula. Used for Liver Blood deficiency presenting with pale complexion, dizziness, scanty or irregular menstruation, dry skin/hair and a pale tongue with thin pulse.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for straightforward Blood deficiency with pale complexion, dizziness and scanty menses — the pure tonifying base, without the stasis-dispelling herbs that Tao Hong Si Wu Tang adds, and without the Qi tonics that turn it into Ba Zhen Tang.
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
佐/使Assistant & EnvoyTreats accompanying patterns, harmonises the whole
白芍Bai Shao9g
White Peony Root- supplements blood and harmonizes ying
- supplements and boosts yin-essence
川芎Chuan Xiong6g
Chuanxiong Rhizome- promotes flow of qi and blood
Classical Composition
- Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui jiu chao; wine-fried) 9g
- Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuan Xiong) 6g
- Paeoniae Radix Alba (Bai Shao) 9g
- Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shu Di Huang jiu zheng; wine-steamed) 12g
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Supplements and regulates the blood.
Indications
- Si Wu Tang is used to treat patterns of ying-blood deficiency and stagnation manifesting dizziness, blurred vision, palpitations, insomnia, a lusterless complexion, menstrual irregularities, oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, abdominal pain around the navel or mass (s) formed within the abdomen, a pale tongue, pale lips and nails, a thready, wiry pulse or thready, choppy pulse.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- Si Wu Tang is the chief formula used to supplement the blood and regulate menstruation.
- It is modified from Xiong Gui Jiao Ai Tang recorded in《Essentials from the Golden Cabinet》, from which e jiao, ai ye and gan cao are removed.
- The pattern is caused by ying-blood deficiency with blood stagnation and deficiency of the chong mai and ren mai.
- Blood deficiency is closely related with the function of the heart and liver.
- The liver stores the blood; however, it cannot be fully nourished if there is blood deficiency.
- In a deficient condition, it is unable to send nutrients upward and dizziness will then occur.
- The heart governs the blood and stores the spirit.
- In case of blood deficiency, the heart-spirit would be disturbed and manifest palpitations and insomnia.
- The chong mai acts as the sea of blood and the ren mai is in charge of the uterus and pregnancy.
- Deficiency of the chong mai and ren mai, together with liver-blood insufficiency and blood stagnation, leads to menstrual irregularities such as scanty menstruation, pale menses, early or delayed menstruation, or even amenorrhea.
- The blood vessels are not fully-filled and blood stasis forms easily.
- Therefore patients with this condition suffer from abdominal pain or hard mass formation.
- The thready, wiry and thready, choppy pulses indicate deficiency and stagnation of ying-blood.
Clinical presentation
- Ying-blood depletion also results in malnutrition of the face, lips, tongue, and nails, so they appear pale and lusterless.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment prioritizes supplementation and nourishment of the ying-blood as the primary objective and harmonizing the blood vessels as the supportive, secondary objective.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Si Wu Tang is the pure Blood tonic base. Tao Hong Si Wu Tang adds Tao Ren and Hong Hua for concurrent Blood stasis. Wen Jing Tang and Gu Jing Wan address more specific gynecological patterns with cold or heat. Ba Zhen Tang combines it with Qi tonics.
Clinical Differentiation
- According to《Secret Prescriptions for Orthopedics and Traumatology》from Immortals, Si Wu Tang is used to relieve pain from blood stasis caused by trauma.
- However, the《Beneficial Formulas from the Taiping Imperial Pharmacy》says that it is able to treat all kinds of women’s diseases.
- It serves as a basic formula to supplement blood and regulate menstruation.
- This clinical pattern is marked by lusterless complexion, pale lips and nails, pale tongue, thready pulse.
Safety notes: It is inappropriate for the treatment of fever due to yin deficiency, profuse uterine bleeding, and qi desertion.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Si Wu Tang?
Si Wu Tang has the actions of nourishing and regulating the Blood. It is the foundational formula for Blood deficiency patterns, especially Liver Blood deficiency, and is widely used to support healthy menstruation and overall Blood nourishment.
Which modern diseases is Si Wu Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Blood deficiency, including irregular or scanty menstruation, dysmenorrhea with deficiency characteristics, postpartum recovery, anemia-related symptoms, and certain skin or neurological issues linked to Blood deficiency.
Is Si Wu Tang suitable for improving pale complexion, dizziness, and menstrual irregularity?
For presentations of pale or sallow complexion, dizziness, blurred vision, palpitations, insomnia, scanty or irregular periods, pale lips and nails, and a pale tongue with a thin pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Blood deficiency — TCM commonly applies Si Wu Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment.
Related Products
Hoi Tin Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Nong's Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Related Articles
Si Wu Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Blood Deficiency, Pale Complexion & Menstrual Issues
Ba Zhen Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Dual Qi & Blood Deficiency
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Blood Deficiency with Stasis & Menstrual Pain
Wen Jing Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Cold in the Uterus, Irregular Menses & Pain
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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.