Dang Gui Yin Zi: A Classic Formula for Treating Skin Issues from Blood Stasis and Wind-Heat
- Hongji Medical
- May 22
- 4 min read
Dang Gui Yin Zi comes from Chong Ding Yan Shi Ji Sheng Fang (Revised Yan’s Prescriptions for Benefiting Life). It builds on the Si Wu Tang formula by adding Jing Jie, Fang Feng, Huang Qi, Bai Ji Li, and He Shou Wu. This formula is used to treat symptoms caused by blood stasis, internal wind-heat, and skin conditions like sores, itching, swelling, oozing pus, or red rashes and lumps.
Si Wu Tang is a well-known Chinese medicine formula for nourishing blood, made of Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Bai Shao, and Shu Di Huang, which enriches yin and blood. Dang Gui Yin Zi enhances Si Wu Tang by adding herbs to expel wind and boost qi, making it effective for skin issues tied to blood and wind-heat imbalances.
Formula Explanation of Dang Gui Yin Zi
Dang Gui Yin Zi’s herbs are organized according to the Chinese medicine principle of “monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy”:
Monarch Herbs: Dang Gui, Sheng Di Huang. Dang Gui nourishes and activates blood, regulates menstruation, and relieves pain. Sheng Di Huang cools blood and clears heat, easing skin itching and redness.
Supporting Herbs: Chuan Xiong, Bai Shao, He Shou Wu. Chuan Xiong activates blood and qi, while Bai Shao nourishes blood and soothes the liver, together enhancing Dang Gui’s blood-nourishing effects. He Shou Wu nourishes yin and blood, supports the liver and kidneys, and relieves skin itching and swelling.
Assistant Herbs: Huang Qi, Jing Jie, Fang Feng, Bai Ji Li. Huang Qi boosts qi and strengthens the body’s defenses, improving resistance to illness. Jing Jie and Fang Feng expel wind pathogens, easing skin itching and redness. Bai Ji Li clears wind and stops itching, addressing skin swelling and discomfort.
Envoy Herbs: Gan Cao, Sheng Jiang. Gan Cao harmonizes the formula, ensuring all herbs work together smoothly. Sheng Jiang warms the stomach and disperses cold, aiding in relieving skin itching and redness.
Pathogenesis Analysis of Dang Gui Yin Zi
Dang Gui Yin Zi targets skin conditions caused by blood stasis, internal wind-heat, and sores, which may involve itching, swelling, oozing pus, or red rashes and lumps. These symptoms often stem from “excess heat” in Chinese medicine but can also result from “deficiency patterns” like blood deficiency, where yin and blood fail to nourish the skin, sometimes with mild qi deficiency.
Patients typically show a thin, deep pulse, with the left pulse slightly more floating than the right. Dang Gui Yin Zi nourishes yin and blood while expelling wind and stopping itching, effectively relieving skin itching, redness, and swelling.
Indications and Effects of Dang Gui Yin Zi
Dang Gui Yin Zi is primarily used for blood stasis, internal wind-heat, and skin conditions like sores, itching, swelling, oozing pus, or red rashes and lumps.
It is highly effective for skin disorders such as eczema, hives, and psoriasis, often caused by excess heat. Appropriate heat-clearing herbs can significantly improve these symptoms.
However, some cases involve blood deficiency, where yin and blood cannot nourish the skin, or mild qi deficiency. These patients show a thin, deep pulse, with the left pulse more floating. Treating only with heat-clearing herbs is often ineffective; a formula like Dang Gui Yin Zi, which nourishes blood and boosts qi, is needed for lasting results.
Main Effects: Nourishes yin and blood, expels wind, and stops itching.The formula’s herbs work together: Dang Gui, Sheng Di Huang, Chuan Xiong, Bai Shao, and He Shou Wu nourish yin and blood to relieve itching and swelling. Jing Jie, Fang Feng, and Bai Ji Li expel wind to ease itching and redness. Huang Qi and Gan Cao boost qi and strengthen resistance.
Modern Applications
In modern medicine, Dang Gui Yin Zi is widely used for various skin disorders, particularly eczema, hives, and psoriasis, with notable effectiveness. Research shows it relieves skin itching, redness, and swelling by nourishing yin and blood and expelling wind, especially for conditions tied to blood stasis and wind-heat.
It effectively treats symptoms like sores, itching, swelling, oozing pus, and red rashes, improving skin health and patient comfort through its nourishing and wind-clearing actions.
Proper diagnosis based on symptoms and constitution is key to ensuring the formula’s suitability and safety, maximizing treatment outcomes and quality of life.
Precautions
When using Dang Gui Yin Zi, consider the following:
Pattern Differentiation: This formula is for blood stasis, wind-heat, and skin sores. Consult a Chinese medicine practitioner to confirm it matches the patient’s symptoms and constitution.
Contraindications: Avoid in patients with excess heat conditions, as the formula is not suited for such patterns.
Drug Interactions: Avoid combining with other similar-acting herbs to prevent overly strong effects or adverse reactions.
Special Populations: Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, children, and the elderly should use it under professional guidance for safety.
Conclusion
Dang Gui Yin Zi, a time-honored formula from Chong Ding Yan Shi Ji Sheng Fang, is a classic remedy for skin conditions caused by blood stasis and wind-heat. Its unique blend and proven effectiveness make it a cornerstone in Chinese medicine.
By nourishing yin and blood and expelling wind, it relieves itching, redness, and swelling, enhancing patient well-being. Understanding its uses and precautions ensures optimal results, blending traditional wisdom with modern care.
