Functions
Dang Gui Si Ni Tang’s main function is to warm the channels to dispel cold, nourish the blood, promote blood circulation, invigorate pulse, and alleviate pain. The formula is used to treat the following symptoms: deficiency of blood due to the accumulation of pathogenic cold, cold limbs due to stagnation of blood circulation and channels, and syncope due to a faint pulse. Clinically, the formula is commonly used to treat diseases such as Raynaud’s disease, thrombophlebitis, chilblain, and chronic rheumatic arthritis. (1)
Dosage Info
Internal administration, 5:1 concentrated extracts: 9 grams/day.
Ingredients
Precautions
The formula is appropriate for treating cold limbs due to blood deficiency and accumulation of pathogenic cold only; it is not appropriate for treating cold limbs due to other factors.
Pharmacology
Anticoagulation effect: Experiments have shown that when administered to mice, Dang Gui Si Ni Tang can prolong blood coagulation time, thrombin time, and plasma recalcification time. When administered to rats, the formula can inhibit thrombogenesis in arterio-venous bypasses, and reduce blood platelet aggregation. The formula can also promote absorption of subcutaneous hematoma in mice. (2)
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects: Fed to mice, the Dang Gui Si Ni Tang formula is shown to have antagonistic actions towards potassium antimony tartrate-induced body torsion and electric stimulation-induced pain. The formula also has an anti-inflammatory effect on croton oil-induced auricular inflammation in mice and on carrageenin-induced paw swelling and edema in rats. (3)
Vasodilation effect: When fed to rabbits, this formula has shown long-lasting effects in the dilation of auricular blood vessels. (4)
Clinical Applications
Treating Raynaud’s disease
Xu treated 20 cases of Raynaud’s disease with modified Dang Gui Si Ni Tang. The formula consisted of Dang Gui (Dang Gui), Huang Qi (processed Astragalus Root), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Chuan Wu (processed Sichuan Aconite Root), Dan Shen (Salvia), Tao Ren (Persica), Hong Hua (Carthamus), Di Long (processed Earthworm), Xi Xin (Wild Ginger), Gan Cao (processed Licorice), Mu Tong (Akebia), and Da Zao (Jujube). To suit the individual patients’ symptoms, the formula was further modified as follows: for soreness and cold in the waist and knees, Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium) and Lu Jiao (Antler) were added; for serious dampness symptoms and edema, Qiang Huo (Notopterygium Root), Du Huo (Pubescent Angelica Root), and Hou Po (Magnolia Bark) were added; for emotional stress complicated with fullness in the chest and hypochondrium, Chai Hu (Bupleurum) and Bai Shao (White Peony Root) were added; for blood stasis complicated with pain, San Leng (Burreed Tuber) and E Zhu (Zedoaria) were added. The herbs were decocted in water and administered orally one dose per day. The results showed that after 21 to 91 days of treatment, 11 cases were resolved, 6 cases had improved, and the remaining 3 cases did not respond to the treatment. (5)
Zhuang treated 50 cases of Raynaud’s disease with modified Dang Gui Si Ni Tang. The formula consisted of Dang Gui (Dang Gui), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Bai Shao (White Peony Root), Xi Xin (Wild Ginger), Tong Cao (Tetrapanax), Gan Cao (processed Licorice), Da Zao (Jujube), Huang Qi (processed Astragalus Root), and Cong Bai (Fistular Onion Bulb). The herbs were decocted in water and administered orally once a day. The results showed that the treatment had a total effectiveness rate of 86%. (6)
Liang treated 9 cases of Raynaud’s disease with Dang Gui Si Ni Tang plus Mao Dong Qing (Pubescent Holly Root) and Huang Qi (processed Astragalus Root). After the herbs were decocted in water, the formula was given orally once a day. The results showed that 8 cases were resolved and the remaining case showed some improvement. (7)
Dou et al. treated 28 cases of Raynaud’s disease based on the formulas Si Ni Tang (Decoction for Resuscitation) and Dang Gui Si Ni Tang. This mega-formula consisted of Fu Zi (processed Aconite Root), Gan Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis), Gan Cao (Licorice), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Chi Shao (Peony Red), Huang Qi (Radix Astragali), Yan Hu Suo (Rhizoma Corydalis), Dang Gui (Dang Gui), Xi Xin (Wild Ginger), and Dan Shen (Salvia). The herbs were decocted in water and used as an oral administration once a day and one therapeutic course of treatment lasted for 20 days. The comparison group of 25 cases was treated with tolazoline (25mg) and nicotinic acid (50mg), three times a day. After this therapy, of the treatment group, 15 cases were resolved, 10 cases improved, and the remaining 3 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effectiveness rate of 89.29%. Of the comparison group, the corresponding numbers were 6, 10, 9, and 64% (P
References
- Zhou Li Na. Pharmacology and clinical application of Dang Gui Si Ni Tang. Journal of Chinese Patent Medicine. 2000;22(7):518-519.
- Huang Fang, et al. Dang Gui Si Ni Tang’s effect in invigorating the blood and removing stasis. China Journal of Experimental Recipes. 1999;5(5):31-33.
- Dou Chang Gui, et al. Dang Gui Si Ni Tang’s analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. China Journal of Experimental Recipes. 1999;5(5):38-39.
- You Guo Xiong, et al. 52 cases of migraine treated with Dang Gui Si Ni Tang. China Journal of Medicine. 1981;(1):57.
- Xu Yu Jian. Treating 20 cases of Raynaud’s disease with modified Dang Gui Si Ni Tang. Jiangsu Journal of TCM. 1992;13(10):446-447.
- Zhuang Qiu Qin. Treating 50 cases of Raynaud’s disease with modified Dang Gui Si Ni Tang. Shaanxi Journal of TCM. 1995;16(11):488.
- Liang Jin Wen. Treating 9 cases of Raynaud’s disease with Dang Gui Si Ni Tang. Journal of Shaanxi Correspondence School of TCM. 1991;(1):6-7.
