Alternative Names

• si wu tang
• szu wu tang
• si wu tong
• si wu teng (wrong but I’ve seen it)
• Four Herbs Decoction
• Four Things Formula
• simotu to
• shimotsu-to
• Four Miracle Brew
• Shimotsu-tō
• 四物湯
• しもつとう
• TJ71; TJ-71; TJ 71
• sì wù tāng wán
• 四物湯丸

This an extremely useful and basic formula used for all sorts of menstruation and other problems. It is often modified or used as the core of other formulas. Many articles, if not books have been written about it but here is a quick way I look at it.

It has 4 ingredients that each have a distinct effect on the blood.

1. Dang Gui is a blood “tonic” or builder. Dang Gui has all the properties of the entire formula. It is tonifying, moving, sedating as well as building yin.
2. Shu Di Huang is very nourishing and provides much substance and “yin”.
3. Bai Shao is “sour” and therefore astringes and contains the blood.
4. Chuan Xiong is moving (we often use it for headaches) and thus counters and facilitates the passage of all the above herbs throughout the body.

Si Wu Tang can be seen to move in all 4 directions – Up, down, in and out. Up (Chuan Xiong), Down (Shu Di), In (Bai Shao) and out (Dang Gui).

It is a very “elegant” formula. The Dang Gui and Chuan Xiong move the down and inward tendencies of the Shu Di and Bai Shao. Shu Di and Bai Shao contain what might be created by the more moving qualities of the Dang Gui and Chuan Xiong.

This formula should NOT be used on its own when there is heavy bleeding either through trauma or menstruation. 

Ingredients

Dang Gui 當歸 tangkuei, Chinese angelica root Radix Angelicae Sinensis [supports pregnancy]

Chuan Xiong 川芎 Sichuan lovage root, cnidium, chuanxiong root Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong

Bai Shao 白芍 white peony root, peony Paeoniae Radix alba [supports pregnancy]

Shu Di Huang 熟地黄 cooked rehmannia root, prepared Chinese foxglove root Rehmanniae Radix preparata [supports pregnancy]

This formula can be used to support health with or without symptoms. If symptoms are present, take 1 level teaspoon of the powder (8 capsules) three times daily. When symptoms are not present, take 1/2 level teaspoon (4 capsules), two times daily. Empty stomach is best for efficient absorption, but not essential. [More…]

At this dosage, your order will last approximately this long (?):

• 50 grams powder (capsules only): 4 to 14 days.
• 100 grams powder (capsules or powder): 8 to 25 days
• 200 grams powder (powder only): 19 to 56 days