Chuanxiong, Safflower, and Danggui Decoction

Category: Herbal Tea

Herbal Tea Name: Chuanxiong, Safflower, and Danggui Decoction

Chinese Name: 川芎红花当归饮

Formula

15 grams of Chuanxiong, 6 grams of safflower, and 15 grams of Danggui.

Main Ingredients

How To Make

Wash the Chuanxiong and Danggui, sun-dry or oven-dry them, slice them, and place them in a muslin bag along with the cleaned and sorted Honghua. Tie the bag closed and set aside. Place the bag in a clay pot, add an appropriate amount of water, and let it soak for a moment. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 40 minutes. Remove the bag, and the decoction is ready.

Efficacy

Promotes the flow of qi and blood and unblocks the meridians. Suitable for post-stroke sequelae caused by qi and blood deficiency and stagnation.

Usage

Take one dose in the morning and one in the evening.

Commentary

Chuanxiong (Chuan-xiong) assumes the leading (chief) role; warm and pungent in character, it channels into the Liver, Gallbladder, Pericardium meridians, working chiefly to activate blood, move qi, dispel wind and relieve pain. Safflower (Hong-hua) acts as the deputy ingredient, pungent-warm in property, acting through the Heart, Liver meridians to activate blood, unblock menstruation and resolve stasis. Danggui (Dang-gui) reinforces this deputy action, working to nourish blood, activate blood, regulate menstruation and relieve pain. Without a separate harmonizing herb, the herbal tea formula balance is achieved through the mutual tempering of its active ingredients. The overall effect is to promote the flow of qi and blood and unblock the meridians, restoring balance within the blood deficiency and blood framework.

Chuanxiong, Safflower, and Danggui Decoction，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Promotes the flow of qi and blood and unblocks the meridians. Suitable for post-stroke sequelae caused by qi and blood deficiency and stagnation.

📖 Related Reading