Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang — Nine-Herb Decoction with Notopterygium

On this page

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

Overview

Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang — the “Nine-Herb Decoction with Notopterygium” — was popularised by Wang Hao-gu (a student of Li Dong-yuan) in the Jin-Yuan period and recorded in Ci Shi Nan Zhi. It is the classical answer to a clinical picture often missed by simpler exterior formulas: a Wind-Cold-Damp attack at the surface in a patient who also has underlying Heat in the interior. Pure Wind-Cold formulas like Ma Huang Tang aggravate the interior Heat; pure cooling formulas leave the surface unresolved. Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang resolves both layers simultaneously.

I prescribe Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang is prescribed for Wind-Cold-Damp at the exterior with interior Heat:

• Aversion to cold, fever, no sweat (exterior excess)
• Heavy aching head and body
• Stiff neck and shoulders
• Mouth dry, slight thirst (interior Heat)
• Possible bitter taste
• Tongue — thin white coat, possibly with red tip
• Pulse — floating with slight rapidity

Key herbs

1. Qiang Huo — chief; expels Wind-Cold-Damp from the Tai Yang (upper body, head, neck)
2. Fang Feng — releases Wind from the exterior
3. Cang Zhu — dries Damp; releases the exterior
4. Xi Xin — expels Wind-Cold from the channels; opens orifices (low dose, classical formula)
5. Chuan Xiong — moves Qi and Blood; relieves headache
6. Bai Zhi — opens the nose; expels Wind from the face channels
7. Sheng Di Huang, Huang Qin — clear interior Heat and protect Yin from the drying surface herbs
8. Gan Cao — harmonises

Formula actions

1. Releases the exterior; expels Wind-Cold-Damp
2. Clears interior Heat
3. Relieves headache, neck stiffness and body ache

Conditions treated

1. Influenza with prominent body aches and slight interior Heat
2. Common cold with stiff neck and dry mouth
3. Acute musculoskeletal pain after Cold-Damp exposure
4. Acute headache with neck stiffness from Wind-Cold-Damp
5. Acute lumbar sprain with Cold-Damp pattern
6. Early-stage Bell’s palsy from Wind exposure — see Bell’s palsy
7. Acute polyarthralgia flare

Cautions

Contains Xi Xin — use only at classical low dose; absolutely contraindicated in renal impairment due to aristolochic acid risk; use only pharmaceutical-grade root (asari radix not asari herba).

Not appropriate for pure exterior Cold without interior Heat, or for Yin-deficient patients — the drying surface herbs damage fluids.

For short-term acute use only.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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