Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang — Tangkuei & Six Yellows Decoction

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang — the “Tangkuei and Six Yellows Decoction” (so named because it contains the three “yellow” cold draining herbs — Huang Lian, Huang Qin, Huang Bai — plus three Di Huang and astragalus variants) — is from Li Dong-yuan’s Jin-Yuan-dynasty Lan Shi Mi Cang. It treats severe night sweats from Yin deficiency with intense empty Fire, a pattern beyond the gentler Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan. The Yin-nourishing Dang Gui + Sheng/Shu Di Huang restore Yin while the three Huangs drain the Fire; Huang Qi closes the surface to stop the sweating directly.

I prescribe Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang is prescribed for severe Yin-deficient night sweats with empty Fire:

• Severe night sweats, soaking the bedclothes
• Five-palm Heat
• Marked afternoon flush, red face
• Palpitations, restlessness
• Dry mouth, bitter taste
• Possibly insomnia and vivid dreams
• Tongue — red with thin yellow coat or peeled
• Pulse — rapid, thin, possibly forceful

Key herbs

1. Dang Gui (Rx. Angelicae Sinensis, 6–15g) — nourishes Blood
2. Sheng Di Huang (Rx. Rehmanniae, 9–30g) — nourishes Yin; cools Blood
3. Shu Di Huang (Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata, 9–30g) — tonifies Yin and Blood at the root
4. Huang Lian (Rz. Coptidis, 3–9g) — clears Heart Fire
5. Huang Qin (Rx. Scutellariae, 6–12g) — clears Lung and middle-burner Heat
6. Huang Bai (Cx. Phellodendri, 3–9g) — clears Kidney Fire (empty Heat)
7. Huang Qi (Rx. Astragali, 12–30g) — consolidates the exterior; specifically stops night sweats

Formula actions

1. Nourishes Yin and Blood
2. Drains empty Fire from all three burners
3. Consolidates the exterior; stops severe night sweats

Conditions treated

1. Severe menopausal night sweats with marked Yin-deficient Fire — see menopausal symptoms
2. Tuberculosis night sweats (alongside conventional care)
3. Hyperthyroid night sweats with intense Heat
4. Chemotherapy-induced night sweats with Yin damage
5. Severe Yin-deficient night sweats not responsive to Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan

Cautions

Not appropriate for night sweats from Qi deficiency (use Mu Li San) or pure Spleen-Yang deficient sweating.

Strong cold draining action — not for cold-deficient or Yang-deficient patterns.

For courses with rest periods; the strong cold herbs can damage Stomach Qi over time.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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