Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang — Restore the Source & Invigorate the Blood Decoction

On this page

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

Overview

Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang — the “Restore the Source and Invigorate the Blood Decoction” — is from Li Dong-yuan’s Jin-Yuan-dynasty Yi Xue Fa Ming. It is the principal classical formula for Blood stasis from blunt trauma — the picture of severe localised swelling, dark bruising, fixed sharp pain (often in the lateral costal area after rib or chest injury) and Qi stagnation following injury. The combination of Da Huang (purge stasis), Tao Ren (move Blood), Hong Hua (move Blood), Chai Hu (move Liver Qi at the lateral costal location), Chuan Shan Jia and Dang Gui (move and nourish Blood) addresses both the acute Blood stasis and the Qi stagnation that follow trauma.

I prescribe Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan; pangolin scales (Chuan Shan Jia) are now omitted on conservation grounds and a substitute (Wang Bu Liu Xing or Lu Lu Tong) used.

TCM pattern

Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang is prescribed for traumatic Blood stasis with Qi stagnation:

• History of recent blunt trauma
• Localised severe sharp pain, especially in lateral costal / rib area
• Visible bruising, swelling
• Restricted movement
• Pain worse with movement, touch and at night
• Tongue — purple or with stasis spots
• Pulse — wiry, choppy

Key herbs

1. Da Huang (Rx. Rhei, 9–15g) — chief; moves Blood and breaks stasis; purges through bowels
2. Chai Hu (Rx. Bupleuri, 9–15g) — spreads Liver Qi; reaches the lateral costal area where blunt trauma often lands
3. Tao Ren (Sm. Persicae, 6–12g) — breaks Blood stasis
4. Hong Hua (Fl. Carthami, 3–9g) — moves Blood
5. Dang Gui (Rx. Angelicae Sinensis, 6–9g) — nourishes and moves Blood
6. Wang Bu Liu Xing (Sm. Vaccariae, 6–9g) — substitute for Chuan Shan Jia; moves Blood through channels
7. Tian Hua Fen (Rx. Trichosanthis, 9–12g) — reduces swelling; clears Heat from injury
8. Gan Cao (Rx. Glycyrrhizae, 3–6g) — harmonises

Formula actions

1. Vigorously breaks Blood stasis
2. Spreads Liver Qi
3. Reduces traumatic swelling and bruising
4. Restores normal circulation in the injured area

Conditions treated

1. Blunt chest trauma — rib bruising, intercostal pain
2. Acute soft tissue injuries with significant bruising
3. Post-fall hip or back injury with deep bruising
4. Acute sports injuries with marked stasis
5. Post-surgical bruising and adhesion prevention
6. Persistent pain after old trauma with Blood stasis pattern

Cautions

Contains Da Huang, Tao Ren and Hong Hua — strictly contraindicated in pregnancy. Caution in bleeding disorders or with anticoagulant medication.

The original formula contains Chuan Shan Jia (pangolin scales) — pangolins are critically endangered and the substance is banned in legitimate practice; pharmaceutical-grade preparations use plant-based substitutes (Wang Bu Liu Xing or Lu Lu Tong).

Major trauma with possible fracture, internal bleeding or organ injury requires emergency medical assessment — this formula is for confirmed soft-tissue injury only.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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