Yang He Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
陽和湯 · Yáng Hé Tāng
A classical formula for yin-type sores and cold abscesses from yang deficiency and blood weakness with cold coagulation.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Yang-Tonifying Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Yang Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Warm Yang, nourish blood, disperse cold, unblock stagnation
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Warm yang and nourish blood to disperse yin-cold and open stagnation
- Classical Source
- Ming-Qing classical formulary
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for yin-type sores and cold abscesses from yang deficiency and blood weakness with cold coagulation.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for yin-type sores or cold abscesses from Yang deficiency and cold coagulation, rather than yang-type heat toxin abscesses or plain Qi-blood deficiency.
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
鹿角膠Lu Jiao Jiao9g
Deer Antler Glue- warms the kidney yang boosts the essence and blood
肉桂Rou Gui3g
Cinnamon Bark- acrid and hot in nature enter the blood level to warm yang and dissipate cold unblock blood vessels
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
麻黃Ma Huang2g
Ephedra Herb- acrid and warm in nature enters both the skin and membrane warms and dissolves cold-phlegm unblocks the collaterals and dissipates masses
白芥子Bai Jie Zi6g
White Mustard Seed- acrid and warm in nature enters both the skin and membrane warms and dissolves cold-phlegm unblocks the collaterals and dissipates masses
炮薑Pao Jiang2g
Blast-fried Ginger- acrid and warm in nature enters both the skin and membrane warms and dissolves cold-phlegm unblocks the collaterals and dissipates masses
Classical Composition
- Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shu Di Huang) 1 liang (30g)
- Ephedrae Herba (Ma Huang) 5 fen (2g)
- Cervi Cornus Colla (Lu Jiao Jiao) 3 qian (9g)
- Brassicae Junceae Semen (Bai Jie Zi) 2 qian (6g)
- Cinnamomi Cortex (Rou Gui) 1 qian (3g)
- Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gan Cao) 1 qian (3g)
- Zingiberis Rhizoma Praeparatum (Pao Jiang Tan) 5 fen (2g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Warms yang and reinforces blood
- disperses cold and unblocks stagnation.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for yin carbuncles.
- For example, a deep-rooted abscess attached to the bone (suppurative osteomyelitis), sloughing deep-rooted abscess (digital gangrene), multiple abscesses, phlegm nodules, and arthroncus of the knee due to patterns of yin-cold.
- The affected area will have diffuse swelling without discoloration of the skin, aching pain without fever, lack of thirst, a pale tongue body with a white coating, and a deep, thin pulse or slow, thin pulse.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- Yin carbuncles are most often related to congenital yang deficiency and insufficient nutrient blood causing an accumulation of cold and phlegm stagnation blocking muscles, tendons, bones, and blood vessels.
- Due to the nature of yin and cold, the local swelling is diffuse with no discoloration, there is aching pain but without fever, and there may be a general pattern of deficiency cold.
Clinical presentation
- In addition, the tongue is pale with a white coating, and a deep, thin pulse, which are also signs of deficient cold.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment is to warm yang, reinforce blood, disperse cold, and unblock stagnation.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Yang He Tang, Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin, Dang Gui Si Ni Tang and Shi Quan Da Bu Tang address sores or cold deficiency. Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin clears heat toxin for yang-type abscesses; Dang Gui Si Ni Tang warms channels for cold extremities; Shi Quan Da Bu Tang broadly tonifies Qi and blood. Yang He Tang warms Yang, nourishes blood and disperses cold for yin-type sores and cold abscesses.
Clinical Differentiation
- Yang He Tang is a commonly used formula for yin carbuncles.
- This clinical pattern is marked by the affected area has diffuse swelling without skin discoloration, aching pain without fever.
Safety notes: This formula is warm and supplementing. It is not appropriate for yang-type red, burning sores or for heat-toxin swellings.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Yang He Tang?
Yang He Tang has the actions of warming Yang, tonifying Blood, dispersing Cold, and unblocking stagnation. It is designed for deep, cold, Yin-type swellings and stagnation caused by Yang deficiency allowing Cold and Phlegm to congeal in the flesh, sinews, and bones.
Which modern diseases is Yang He Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Yang deficiency with Cold stagnation, including cold-type chronic osteomyelitis or bone lesions, chronic cold lymphadenitis or nodules, rheumatoid or osteoarthritic pain of Cold-deficiency type, thromboangiitis obliterans, fibrocystic breast changes with cold nodules, and other deep, non-red, non-hot swellings or chronic cold Bi patterns.
Is Yang He Tang suitable for improving flat, cold swellings or aching without heat?
For presentations of diffuse, flat swelling without a distinct head, skin color unchanged (not red), aching or dull pain without local heat, no thirst, a pale tongue with white coating, and a deep thin or slow pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Yin-type Cold stagnation from Yang and Blood deficiency — TCM commonly applies Yang He Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard surgical, orthopedic, or medical evaluation of swellings or joint disease.
Related Products
Hoi Tin Yang He Tang (Yang-Heartening Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Related Articles
Yang He Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Yin-Type Sores, Cold Abscesses & Deficiency Cold
Shi Quan Da Bu Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Qi & Blood Deficiency with Cold
Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin: Classic TCM Formula for Heat Toxin, Early-Stage Abscesses & Swollen Sores
Dang Gui Si Ni Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Blood Deficiency, Cold Extremities & 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.