Tong Qiao Huo Xue Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
通竅活血湯 · Tōng Qiào Huó Xuè Tāng
A Wang Qingren formula for blood stasis in the head and face.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Blood-Invigorating Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Blood Stasis
- Primary Function
- Invigorate blood, unblock the orifices
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Invigorate blood and unblock the orifices
- Classical Source
- Yi Lin Gai Cuo (Wang Qingren, Qing dynasty)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A Wang Qingren formula for blood stasis in the head and face.
Therapeutic Principle
Selected for blood stasis in the head and face — fixed headache, dusky face — rather than chest or lower-abdominal stasis.
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
Classical Composition
- Paeoniae Radix Rubra (Chi Shao) 3g
- Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuan Xiong) 3g
- Persicae Semen (Tao Ren) 9g
- Carthami Flos (Hong Hua) 9g
- Allii Fistulosi Bulbus (Lao Cong) 3g
- Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Sheng Jiang) 9g
- Jujubae Fructus (Da Zao) 5 pieces
- Moschus (She Xiang) 0.15g or substitute. From Yi Lin Gai Cuo. Modern use often omits She Xiang.
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Invigorates blood and unblocks the upper orifices.
Indications
- Blood stasis in the head and face.
- Headache, dizziness, tinnitus, hair loss, dusky complexion, purple tongue, choppy pulse.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- Blood stasis blocks the upper orifices.
- Clear yang fails to rise and the head and face are obstructed.
Clinical presentation
- Headache, dizziness, tinnitus, hair loss, dusky complexion, purple tongue or stasis spots, choppy pulse.
Treatment strategy
- Invigorate blood, unblock the orifices.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Tong Qiao Huo Xue Tang, Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang and Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang are Wang Qingren stasis formulas. Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang is for the chest. Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang is for the lower abdomen. This formula unblocks the upper orifices.
Clinical Differentiation
- Used for head and face blood stasis.
- Distinct from chest stasis and from lower-body stasis.
Tongue & pulseKey points: fixed headache, dusky face, purple tongue.
Safety notes: Blood-invigorating; use with care in pregnancy and bleeding disorders. She Xiang is often omitted.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tong Qiao Huo Xue Tang? Are Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang and Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang the same?
Tong Qiao Huo Xue Tang (通窍活血汤) is a classic formula from the Yi Lin Gai Cuo, centered on invigorating blood, transforming stasis, opening orifices and freeing the collaterals for blood stasis in the head and face with hair loss, rosacea, chronic deafness and vitiligo. Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang invigorates blood, dispels stasis and regulates qi, leaning to blood stasis in the chest. Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang tonifies qi and invigorates blood, leaning to qi deficiency with blood stasis sequelae of stroke. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Tong Qiao Huo Xue Tang. Contraindicated in pregnancy; use caution with bleeding.
What is the composition and traditional use of Tong Qiao Huo Xue Tang?
Classic composition: Chi Shao 3 g, Chuan Xiong 3 g, Tao Ren 9 g, Hong Hua 9 g, Lao Cong 3 roots, Xian Jiang 9 g, Hong Zao 7 pieces, She Xiang 0.15 g. It acts to invigorate blood, transform stasis, open orifices and free the collaterals. It is used for hair loss, red and painful eyes, rosacea, chronic deafness, purple and white vitiligo, gingival ulcerations and women's dry blood consumption from blood stasis in the head and face. Tao Ren, Hong Hua, Chi Shao and Chuan Xiong invigorate blood; scallion and ginger free yang; She Xiang opens orifices; yellow wine frees the collaterals; red dates moderate.
How do you choose raw versus prepared? Can Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang replace it?
Tao Ren is ground to mud; She Xiang is added later. Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang leans to the chest without opening orifices; it cannot replace opening orifices by equal weight. Commercial products follow regulated compounding; do not self-modify.
Related Articles
Tong Qiao Huo Xue Tang: Opening the Orifices and Invigorating Blood
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Blood Stasis, Chest Pain & Headache
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Lower Abdominal Blood Stasis & Menstrual Pain
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Blood Deficiency with Stasis & Menstrual Pain
Browse all classical formulas →
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.