Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang — Drive Out Blood Stasis in the Mansion of Blood

On this page

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

Overview

Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang — Drive Out Blood Stasis in the Mansion of Blood — is the most important formula for Blood stasis obstructing the chest and upper body. Created by the Qing Dynasty physician Wang Qingren (1768–1831 CE), it targets the chest, hypochondrium and head — the “Mansion of Blood” — where Blood stasis commonly accumulates. It combines Blood-moving herbs with Qi-moving herbs (since Qi moves Blood) and Yin-nourishing herbs to protect against the drying effects of the Blood-moving agents.

TCM pattern

Prescribed for Blood stasis obstructing the chest and upper body with Qi stagnation, characterised by: pain in the chest or hypochondrium that is fixed, stabbing or pricking in character, palpitations, insomnia with restlessness, chronic headaches, a dark or purple tongue (or with petechiae), and a deep, choppy pulse.

Key herbs

1. Tao Ren (Prunus persica seed) — the most potent Blood-moving herb; breaks up Blood stasis and softens hardness
2. Hong Hua (Carthamus tinctorius flower) — invigorates Blood, disperses stasis and alleviates pain; works synergistically with Tao Ren
3. Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis root) — nourishes Blood while invigorating circulation; prevents the moving herbs from damaging Blood
4. Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong rhizome) — invigorates Blood, moves Qi and ascends to the head; addresses headaches from Blood stasis
5. Chi Shao (Paeonia lactiflora root, red) — clears Heat, invigorates Blood and disperses stasis
6. Sheng Di Huang (raw Rehmannia root) — nourishes Yin and Blood; prevents stasis-moving herbs from damaging Yin
7. Chai Hu (Bupleurum chinense root) — spreads Liver Qi; since Qi moves Blood, spreading Qi assists Blood invigoration
8. Jie Geng (Platycodon grandiflorus root) — opens the Lung Qi and guides the formula upward to the chest
9. Niu Xi (Achyranthes bidentata root) — invigorates Blood and guides stasis downward

Conditions treated

1. Chest pain and angina from Blood stasis in the chest channels
2. Insomnia and palpitations from Blood stasis disturbing the Heart-Mind
3. Chronic headaches and migraines with a fixed, pricking quality from Blood stasis
4. Depression with chest oppression, palpitations and insomnia from Blood stasis
5. Long COVID with chest tightness and breathlessness from Blood stasis in the Lung
6. Hypertension with Blood stasis pattern

Strongly Blood-moving — contraindicated in pregnancy. Use with caution in patients with significant Qi or Blood deficiency.

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.