Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan — Pubescent Angelica and Loranthus Pill

On this page

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

Overview

Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan — Pubescent Angelica and Loranthus Pill — is the most comprehensive Chinese herbal formula for Bi syndrome (painful obstruction) in patients who have both Wind-Cold-Damp invading the channels and joints AND underlying Liver, Kidney, Qi and Blood deficiency. It was created by the Tang Dynasty physician Sun Simiao (581–682 CE) and combines herbs that expel the external pathogen with herbs that tonify the deficient foundation — making it uniquely suited to chronic musculoskeletal pain in older or constitutionally weaker patients. It is one of the most widely used Chinese patent medicines in the world.

TCM pattern

Prescribed for Wind-Cold-Damp Bi syndrome with Liver and Kidney deficiency and Qi and Blood deficiency, characterised by: chronic lower back and knee pain and weakness (soreness rather than sharp pain), stiffness that is worse in cold and damp weather, numbness and heaviness of the limbs, fatigue, a pale tongue with white coating, and a deep, weak pulse. The key differentiator from Juan Bi Tang is the presence of significant underlying deficiency.

Key herbs

1. Du Huo (Angelica pubescens root) — the principal herb; expels Wind-Cold-Damp from the lower body, joints and sinews
2. Sang Ji Sheng (Loranthus parasiticus stem) — tonifies Liver and Kidney, expels Wind-Damp and strengthens sinews and bones; addresses both the pathogen and the root deficiency
3. Du Zhong (Eucommia ulmoides bark) — tonifies Kidney Yang and strengthens the lower back and sinews
4. Niu Xi (Achyranthes bidentata root) — tonifies Liver and Kidney, strengthens sinews and bones and guides the formula downward
5. Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis root) — nourishes and invigorates Blood; addresses the Blood deficiency component
6. Ren Shen (Panax ginseng root) — tonifies Yuan Qi and Spleen Qi
7. Fu Ling (Poria cocos) — tonifies Spleen and resolves Dampness
8. Rou Gui (Cinnamomum cassia bark) — warms the channels and expels Cold

Conditions treated

1. Chronic lower back pain in older patients or those with Liver and Kidney deficiency
2. Knee pain and weakness from Liver and Kidney deficiency with Wind-Cold-Damp invasion
3. Rheumatoid arthritis in chronic remission phase with underlying deficiency
4. Osteoarthritis with cold-sensitive pain in a constitutionally weak patient
5. Sciatica with Cold-Damp obstruction and Kidney deficiency
6. Chronic peripheral neuropathy from Liver and Kidney deficiency with channel malnourishment

Cautions

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available. See the prices page for costs.