Fu Yuan Huo Xue

Functions

Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang soothes the liver, activates the collaterals, and promotes blood circulation to remove blood stasis. It is used to treat diseases caused by blood stasis, excess of heat-poison, and stagnation of the liver qi.

Dosage Info

Decoction: One dose is decocted, divided into 2 to 3 portions and administered orally. 5:1 concentrated extracts: 9 grams/day

Ingredients

• Chai Hu
• Da Huang
• Dang Gui
• Gan Cao
• Tao Ren

Precautions

It is contraindicated for the women during their menstrual period.

Pharmacology

Anticoagulant and anti-thrombus effects: When administered to mice and rats at 10g (raw herb)/kg and 20g/kg, Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang had the following effects: 1) It remarkably postponed the clotting, thrombin, and plasma calcium reactivation times in mice, 2) It significantly decreased whole blood viscosity, 3) It inhibited thrombus formation, 4) It increased vessel perfusion flow in the rats’ hind legs, 5) It decreased the diameters of the mouse auricle arteriole and venule, and 6) It promoted blood circulation. (1)

Clinical Applications

Treating brain concussion
53 cases of concussion were treated with Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang. The herbs used consisted of Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Hua Fen (Pollen), Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root), Tao Ren (Persica), Da Huang (Rhubarb), Hong Hua (Carthamus), and Gan Cao (Licorice). For coma, Shi Chang Pu (Grassleaved Sweetflag Rhizome) and Yuan Zhi (Polygala) were added. For headache, Chuan Xiong (Cnidium) and Man Jing Zi (Vitex Fruit) were added. For nausea, Dai Zhi Shi (Haematite) and Zhu Ru (Bamboo shavings) were added. For insomnia, Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus) and Yuan Zhi (Polygala) were added. After treatment for 3 to 30 days, 48 cases recovered and 5 cases showed improvement. (2)

Treating vertigo
The formula Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang was applied to treat 38 cases of vertigo. The formula was composed of Trichosanthes, Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Roots), Gan Cao (Licorice), Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Pao Shan Jia (prepared Pangolin Scales), Tao Ren (Persica), Hong Hua (Carthamus), Ge Gen (Prueraria), and Wei Ling Xian (Clematis). If there was severe vomiting, pinellia prepared with ginger and Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae were added. One dose was given daily which was decocted with water. The results showed that 26 cases were resolved, 7 cases had improved, and 5 cases had no improvement. The total effectiveness rate was 86.84%. (3)

Treating chest injury and hypochondrium
The modified formula of Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang was used to treat 60 cases of chest injury. The formula consisted of Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Yuan Hu (Corydalis), Chuan Lian Zi (Melia), Chi Shao (Peony Red), Gan Cao (Licorice), Yu Jin (Curcuma Root), Xuan Fu Hua (Inula), crude Da Huang (Rhubarb)(short time decocted), Chuan Xiong (Cnidium), Bai Jie Zi (White Mustard Seed), Chuan Shan Jia (Anteater Scales), and Da Zao (Jujube). The formula was modified according to the individuals’ symptoms. One dose of a decoction was orally administered. For local swelling, Wan Ling Wu Xiang Extract was applied. The results showed that 48 cases were resolved and 12 cases had improved. The total effectiveness rate was 100%. (4)

Treating chest wall injury
80 cases of injury to the chest wall were treated. The modified formula was composed of Chai Hu, Hua Fen (Pollen), Da Huang (Rhubarb), Tao Ren (Persica), Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root), Hong Hua (Carthamus), Gan Cao (Licorice), and Chuan Shan Jia (Anteater Scales). The formula was modified according to the individuals’ symptoms. One dose of the decoction was taken daily. 5 days constituted one course of treatment. The results showed that after 1 to 2 courses of treatment, the total effectiveness rate was 95%. (5)

Treatment of intestinal adhesion
17 cases of intestinal adhesion were treated with Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang. The herbs included were Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Da Huang (Rhubarb) and Chuan Shan Jia (Anteater Scales), Gua Lou Gen (Trichosanthes Root), Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root), Tao Ren (Persica), and Hong Hua (Carthamus). The formula was modified according to the patients’ symptoms. The results showed that all the patients had recovered. (6)

Treatment of diabetes
38 cases of Type II diabetes were treated with the modified formula of Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang, which was composed of Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Hua Fen (Pollen) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodes), Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root), Hong Hua (Carthamus), Chuan Shan Jia (Anteater Scales), Da Huang (Rhubarb), Dan Shen (Salvia), and Shan Yao (Dioscorea). The formula was modified according to individuals’ symptoms. One dose of the decoction was taken daily. After treatment 24 cases were resolved, 12 cases had significantly improved, and 2 cases did not improve. The total effectiveness rate was 94.74%. (7)

Treatment of traumatic hemalopia
21 cases of this disease were treated with Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang, which consisted of Hua Fen (Pollen), Tao Ren (Persica), Hong Hua (Carthamus), Chuan Shan Jia (Anteater Scales), San Qi (Notoginseng), Ru Xiang (Mastic), Su Mu (Sappan Wood), Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root), Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Da Huang (Rhubarb), and Gan Cao (Licorice). One dose of this decoction was taken each day. The results showed that 15 cases were resolved, 5 cases had improved, and 1 case did not show any change. The total effectiveness rate was 95.2%. (8)

Treatment of traumatic subcutaneous hematoma
Modified Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang was used to treat 687 cases of traumatic subcutaneous hematomas. The herbs used were Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root), Chuan Xiong (Cnidium), Hong Hua (Carthamus), Tao Ren (Persica), Chuan Shan Jia (Anteater Scales), Lian Qiao (Forsythia), Sheng Di (Rehmannia Root), Chi Shao (Peony Red), Ze Xie (Alisma), Hua Fen (Pollen), Jin Yin Hua (Lonicera Flower), Yi Ren (Coix), Che Qian Zi (Plantain Seed), Mu Tong (Akebia), and San Qi Fen (Notoginseng). One dose of the decoction was taken daily. These results showed that 197 cases had recovered, 396 were significantly improved, and 94 cases had somewhat improved. The total effectiveness rate was 100%. (9)

Treatment of cholecystitis and gallstones
60 cases of cholecystitis and gallstones were treated with Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang. This formula consisted of the following herbs, Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root), Tao Ren (Persica), Hua Fen (Pollen), Hong Hua (Carthamus), Gan Cao (Licorice), Chuan Shan Jia (Anteater Scales), and Da Huang (Rhubarb infused with alcohol). The formula was modified according to the individuals’ symptoms. One dose of the decoction was taken daily. 15 days constituted one course of treatment. The results showed that 31 cases had recovered, 23 cases improved, and 6 cases did not improve. The total effectiveness rate was 90%. (10)

50 cases of chronic cholecystitis were treated with Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang. This consisted of Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root), Tao Ren (Persica), Hua Fen (Pollen), Hong Hua (Carthamus), Chuan Shan Jia (Anteater Scales), Gan Cao (Licorice), and Da Huang (Rhubarb infused with alcohol). The formula was modified according to the individuals’ symptoms. One dose of decoction was taken daily. The results showed that 45 cases were resolved, 3 cases were improved, and 2 cases did not improve. The total effectiveness rate was 96%. (11)

Other Treatments
12 cases of asthma were treated with a Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang formula. Among them, 5 cases had significantly improved, and 7 cases had some improvement. (12) The modified formula of Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang was used to treat 80 cases of hyperplasia of the mammary glands. The treatment results showed that 44 cases were resolved, 23 cases had significantly improved, 10 cases somewhat improved, and 3 cases did not improve. The total effectiveness rate was 96.25%. (13)

References

1. Dou Chang Gui, et al. Experimental research on Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang’s function in invigorating the blood and dissolving blood stasis. Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Application of TCM. 1998;14(5):9-11.
2. Shi Jie Ping, et al. Treating 53 cases of brain concussion with Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang. Journal of Applied Integrated Medicine. 1996;9(5):301.
3. Tang Shi Qiu. Treating 38 cases of vertigo with modified Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang. Xinjiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1997;15(2):20.
4. Bei Xu Hai. Clinical analysis of treating chest injury with modified Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang. Zhejiang Journal of Integrated Medicine. 1998;8(1):56-57.
5. Xue Bang Da. Therapeutic observation on treating 80 cases of chest wall injury with the Chinese herb Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang. Journal of Suzhou Medical University. 1999;19(2):203.
6. Li Bao Hua. Treating 17 cases of intestinal adhesion with Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang. Jiangsu Journal of TCM. 1999;20(3):31.
7. Zhou Miao Ying. Treating 38 cases of type II diabetes with blood stasis with modified Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang. Jilin Journal of TCM. 1999;19(2):13.
8. Zhao Zhu Wen. Treating 21 cases of traumatic hemalopia with Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang. Journal of Applied TCM. 1999;15(8):11.
9. Li Cheng Hai. Treating 687 cases of subcutaneous hematoma with modified Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang. National Journal of Medicine Forum. 1999;18(6):35.
10. Chen Sheng Ling. Treating 60 cases of chronic cholecystitis and gallstones with Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang. Beijing Journal of TCM. 1999;18(6):35.
11. Chen Sheng Lin. Treating 50 cases of chronic cholecystitis with Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang. China Journal of Integrated Splenico-Gastrology. 1999;7(4):211.
12. Zhu Peng. Therapeutic observation on treating 12 cases of asthma with Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang. Jiangxi Journal of TCM. 1992;23(5):289.
13. Zhang Yan, et al. Treating 80 cases of hyperplasia of mammary glands with modified Fu Yuan Huo Xue Tang. Shaanxi Journal of TCM. 1994;15(2):52.