Dǐ Dāng Tāng (抵当汤) — Dead-On Decoction
Information only — not used or prescribed at this clinic. This page documents a traditional Chinese herbal formula that contains one or more animal-derived ingredients, for reference and education. I do not use or prescribe any animal products. Every formula I prescribe is built entirely from plant and mineral herbs.
Although it may be used by some practitioners, I do not prescribe any animal-derived substances.
Plant and mineral alternatives I use instead include stronger plant blood-breaking herbs such as San Leng, E Zhu, Tao Ren and Hong Hua.
On this page
- Overview
- Ingredients
- Traditional actions and indications
- Plant-based alternatives
- Why it is not prescribed
1. Overview
Dǐ Dāng Tāng (抵当汤) — Dead-On Decoction — is a traditional formula of the Chinese Materia Medica that contains one or more animal-derived ingredients. It is described here for information and reference only. I do not use or prescribe Dǐ Dāng Tāng or any formula containing animal products; where a comparable effect is needed I prescribe a plant-based formula matched to the patient's TCM pattern.
2. Ingredients
Traditional ingredients include:
- Shui Zhi (leech) (animal product)
- Meng Chong (horsefly) (animal product)
- Tao Ren (peach kernel), Da Huang (rhubarb) (plants)
3. Traditional actions and indications
Traditional actions
- Strongly breaks up Blood stasis
Traditional indications
- Severe, stubborn lower-abdominal Blood stasis; amenorrhoea with masses
4. Plant-based alternatives
In my practice I use plant-based formulas in place of Dǐ Dāng Tāng. Depending on the TCM pattern, suitable alternatives include stronger plant blood-breaking herbs such as San Leng, E Zhu, Tao Ren and Hong Hua. Read more about Chinese herbal medicine or book an online herbal consultation.
5. Why it is not prescribed
Although Dǐ Dāng Tāng may be used by some practitioners, I do not prescribe any animal-derived ingredients; a plant-based alternative is used instead. All Chinese herbs and formulas should be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM), which prohibits the use of endangered species. Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto is a member of the RCHM and the British Acupuncture Council and does not use animal products of any kind.
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