Nine-Ingredient Qianghuo Decoction，Zhang Yuan-su, recorded in *This Matter Is Hard to Know*，Induces sweating to expel dampness while clearing internal heat. Indicated for external invasion by wind, cold, and dampness pathogens with underlying internal heat. Symptoms include aversion to cold, fever, absence of sweat, headache, stiff neck, aching and painful limbs, bitter taste in the mouth with mild thirst, white or slightly yellow tongue coating, and a floating pulse.
Nine-Ingredient Qianghuo Decoction
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Formulas Name : Nine-Ingredient Qianghuo Decoction
Chinese Name : 九味羌活汤
Drug Formulation
Qianghuo, Fangfeng, and Cangzhu—3 qian each; Xixin—1 qian; Chuanxiong, Bai Zhi, Sheng Di, Huang Qin, and Gan Cao—2 qian each.
Source
Zhang Yuan-su, recorded in *This Matter Is Hard to Know*
Benefits
Induces sweating to expel dampness while clearing internal heat. Indicated for external invasion by wind, cold, and dampness pathogens with underlying internal heat. Symptoms include aversion to cold, fever, absence of sweat, headache, stiff neck, aching and painful limbs, bitter taste in the mouth with mild thirst, white or slightly yellow tongue coating, and a floating pulse.
Instructions for Use
Crush the nine ingredients, decoct in water, and take orally. If inducing a rapid sweat, take the decoction hot and follow with a bowl of porridge; if inducing a gradual sweat, take the decoction warm without following with porridge.
Copyright: Excerpt from Zhang Yuan-su, recorded in *This Matter Is Hard to Know*, Copyright belongs to the Original Author and all original sources, This article was shared by DeDe on August 31, 2026, Please credit the source and include a link to the original article when reposting.
Terminology Proofreading: [Cheng Bo] | August 31, 2026 Reviewed by: [Wang Zhongxiang, Associate Chief TCM Physician (China)] | August 31, 2026
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Nine-Ingredient Qianghuo Decoction,Induces sweating to expel dampness while clearing internal heat. Indicated for external invasion by wind, cold, and dampness pathogens with underlying internal heat. Symptoms include aversion to cold, fever, absence of sweat, headache, stiff neck, aching and painful limbs, bitter taste in the mouth with mild thirst, white or slightly yellow tongue coating, and a floating pulse.