Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
桃红四物汤 · Táo Hóng Sì Wù Tāng
Si Wu Tang plus Tao Ren and Hong Hua. Strengthens Blood-moving action for Blood deficiency complicated by stasis, especially dysmenorrhea with dark clotted blood and fixed pain.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Blood-Invigorating Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Blood Stasis
- Primary Function
- Nourish and invigorate Blood, dispel stasis
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Nourish Blood and invigorate Blood to dispel stasis
- Classical Source
- Yi Lei Yuan Rong (Supreme Commanders of the Medical Ramparts, Yuan dynasty)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
Si Wu Tang plus Tao Ren and Hong Hua. Strengthens Blood-moving action for Blood deficiency complicated by stasis, especially dysmenorrhea with dark clotted blood and fixed pain.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected when Blood deficiency coexists with stasis, producing dark clotted menses and pain, adding Tao Ren and Hong Hua to the Si Wu Tang base — a general nourishing-and-moving formula, less site-specific than Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang or Shao Fu Zhu Yu 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- nourishes blood
- softens the liver and relieves spasmodic pain
川芎Chuan Xiong6g
Chuanxiong Rhizome- moves blood and qi and reaches the head and channels
桃仁Tao Ren9g
Peach Kernel- invigorates blood
- dispels stasis and moistens the intestines
紅花Hong Hua9g
Safflower- invigorates blood and unblocks menstruation
Classical Composition
- Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata (Shu Di Huang) 12g
- Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Dang Gui) 9g
- Radix Paeoniae Alba (Bai Shao) 9g
- Rhizoma Chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong) 6g
- Semen Persicae (Tao Ren) 9g
- Flos Carthami (Hong Hua) 9g
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Nourishes blood and invigorates blood
- dispels stasis and regulates menstruation.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for blood deficiency with blood stasis.
- Signs and symptoms include delayed or scanty menstruation with clots, fixed lower-abdominal pain, and a dark or spotted tongue.
Tongue & pulseThe pulse is fine and choppy.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This pattern is due to static blood obstructing the vessels and channels.
- Blood deficiency combined with stasis produces delayed or clotted menstruation and fixed lower-abdominal pain that Si Wu Tang alone cannot move.
Clinical presentation
- Stasis produces fixed, stabbing pain that is worse with pressure, dark complexion or clotted menstrual flow, and a dark or spotted tongue.
Treatment strategy
- The correct method is to invigorate blood, dissolve stasis, and free the vessels.
- In this formula the emphasis is to nourish Blood and invigorate Blood to dispel stasis.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang is Si Wu Tang with stronger Blood-invigorating herbs. Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang and Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang are more focused stasis formulas for specific locations. Wen Jing Tang adds warming for cold-type patterns.
Clinical Differentiation
- Tao Hong Si Wu Tang is used when blood deficiency is accompanied by stasis.
- The pattern is delayed or clotted menstruation and fixed lower-abdominal pain.
- Tao Ren and Hong Hua distinguish it from Si Wu Tang, which nourishes without moving, and from stronger stasis-expelling formulas used when deficiency is not the background.
Safety notes: Tao Ren and Hong Hua move blood. This formula is not appropriate during pregnancy unless a clinician has differentiated blood stasis as the governing pattern.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Tao Hong Si Wu Tang?
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang has the actions of nourishing the Blood and invigorating Blood to dispel stasis. It is primarily used for patterns of Blood deficiency combined with Blood stasis, especially in menstrual disorders with dark clots and pain.
Which modern diseases is Tao Hong Si Wu Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Blood deficiency with Blood stasis, including dysmenorrhea with dark clots, irregular menstruation, endometriosis (supportive), postpartum retained lochia with deficiency, and certain vascular or circulatory conditions when stasis and deficiency coexist.
Is Tao Hong Si Wu Tang suitable for improving menstrual pain with dark clots?
For presentations of menstrual pain (often fixed or stabbing), dark purple or clotted menstrual blood, irregular or early periods, abdominal discomfort, and signs of both Blood deficiency and stasis — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms this combined pattern — TCM commonly applies Tao Hong Si Wu Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment.
Related Products
Hoi Tin Tao Hong Si Wu Tang (Peach Kernel and Safflower Four Substance Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
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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.