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Peach Kernel and Carthamus Four Agents Decoction
桃红四物汤 〔桃紅四物湯〕táo hóng sì wù tāng
Source: Yī Zōng Jīn Jiàn 医宗金鉴
Ingredients:
- Táo rén (桃仁 Persicae Semen, peach kernel) 6–9g
- Hóng huā (红花 Carthami Flos, carthamus [flower]) 3–6g
- Dāng guī (当归 Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Chinese angelica) 6–9g
- Shú dì huáng (熟地黄 Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, cooked rehmannia [root]) 9–15g
- Bái sháo (白芍 Paeoniae Radix Alba, white peony [root]) 6–12g
- Chuān xiōng (川芎 Chuanxiong Rhizoma, chuanxiong [rhizome]) 3–9g
Action: Quickens the blood; dispels stasis; regulates the menstruation.
Indication: Menstrual irregularities, abdominal pain during menstruation, dark purple menstrual discharge with clots due to blood stasis. Can also be used for blood stasis due to injury.
Category: Supplementing formulas / Yīn-yáng dual supplementation formulas
Method: Decoct with water.
Rationale: The four agents
—Dāng guī, Shú dì huáng, Bái sháo, and Chuān xiōng—quicken and nourish the blood. Táo rén and Hóng huā break blood and move stasis, thereby helping to engender the new. This formula therefore treats any blood stasis patterns. Chì sháo may be used instead of Bái sháo for better blood-quickening action. Shēng dì huáng may be used instead of Shú dì huáng so as to nourish the blood without clogging.
Variations:
- Severe
blood stasis : Add Sān léng (三棱 Sparganii Rhizoma, sparganium [root]) and é zhú (莪朮 Curcumae Rhizoma, curcuma rhizome). Blood heat : Add Mǔ dān pí (牡丹皮 Moutan Cortex, moutan [bark]) and Dān shēn (丹参 Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, salvia [root]).- Severe
abdominal pain : Add Xiāng fù (香附 Cyperi Rhizoma, cyperus [rhizome]) and Yán hú suǒ (延胡索 Corydalis Rhizoma, corydalis [rhizome]). Blood stasis headache : Add Gōu téng (钩藤 Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis, uncaria [stem and thorn]) and Jí lí (蒺藜 Tribuli Fructus, tribulus [fruit]).
Notes: This is Sì wù tāng (四物汤 Four Agents Decoction) plus