Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang — Relax the Channels and Invigorate the Blood Decoction

On this page

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

Overview

Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang — the “Relax the Channels and Invigorate the Blood Decoction” — is from the Ming-dynasty Wan Bing Hui Chun. It addresses chronic Wind-Damp-Cold obstruction of the channels combined with Blood stasis — the picture of long-standing joint or nerve pain that has both stagnation and accumulation features, where the pain is fixed and deep but also worse with damp weather.

The formula combines Wind-Damp herbs (Qiang Huo, Du Huo, Wei Ling Xian) with Blood-moving herbs (Tao Ren, Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Niu Xi, Bai Shao), Damp-resolving herbs (Cang Zhu, Fu Ling) and a small amount of Sheng Di, plus Gan Cao and Sheng Jiang.

I prescribe Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang is prescribed for Wind-Damp-Cold obstruction with Blood stasis in the channels:

• Chronic deep, fixed joint or limb pain
• Lower limb numbness or weakness
• Worse with damp weather
• History of injury or chronic strain
• Tongue — pale to purplish, white coat
• Pulse — wiry, choppy

Key herbs

1. Qiang Huo, Du Huo — expel Wind-Damp from upper and lower body
2. Wei Ling Xian — opens channels
3. Cang Zhu — dries Damp
4. Fu Ling — drains Damp
5. Tao Ren — moves Blood
6. Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Bai Shao, Sheng Di — nourish and move Blood
7. Niu Xi — moves Blood downward to the lower body
8. Bai Zhi — disperses Wind
9. Long Dan Cao — small dose, drains Damp-Heat
10. Sheng Jiang, Chen Pi, Gan Cao — harmonise

Formula actions

1. Disperses Wind-Damp-Cold from the channels
2. Moves Blood and resolves stasis
3. Relieves chronic deep pain
4. Restores movement to obstructed limbs

Conditions treated

1. Chronic sciatica with cold-damp and Blood stasis — see sciatica
2. Lumbar radiculopathy
3. Chronic post-traumatic pain
4. Peripheral neuropathy with Wind-Damp pattern
5. Chronic osteoarthritis with concurrent Blood stasis
6. Frozen shoulder with chronic pain — see frozen shoulder
7. Post-stroke residual limb pain and stiffness

Cautions

Contains Tao Ren — not appropriate in pregnancy.

Not appropriate for hot-pattern joint inflammation or acute infections.

Chronic pain needs medical evaluation to identify underlying causes.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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