Source: Xianshou Lishang Xuduan Mifang (Clandestine Prescriptions for Wounds and Bonesetting Handed down by the Fairy).

Ingredients:
No.1  Shudihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparatae) 12 g
No.2  Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 9 g
No.3  Baishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 9 g
No.4  Chuanxiong ( Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong ) 6 g

Administration:
Grind the drugs into coarse powder, decoct 9 g each time in water for oral application.

Actions: Nourishing and regulating blood.

Clinical Application:
This recipe is indicated for syndrome of deficiency and stagnation of nutrient qi and blood, marked by palpitation, insomnia, dizziness, pale complexion, or menstrual disorder, scanty menstruation, or amenia with vague pain of the lower abdomen, pale tongue and thready pulse. It is applicable to menstrual disorder, chronic dermatosis, chronic eczema, urticaria, orthopedic and traumatic diseases, allergic purpura, and nervous headache and others, which pertain to deficiency and stagnation of nutrient qi and blood. If concomitant with deficiency of qi manifested as lassitude and shortness of breath, add Renshen (Radix Gingseng) and Huangqi (Radix Astragali seu Hedysari) to supplement qi for generating blood, which forms another recipe entitled Shengyu Tang.

In case of dominant blood stasis manifested as sharp abdominal pain during menstruation, replace the third ingredient with Chishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra) and add Taoren (Semen Perisicae) and Honghua (Flos Carthami) to enhance the action of promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis, which is known as Taohong Siwu Tang. In case of blood deficiency complicated with cold syndrome manifesting abdominal pain with preference for warmth, add Rougui (Cortex Cinnamomi), Paojiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Praeparatae) and Wuzhuyu (Fructus Evodiae) to warm and dredge the vessels. In case of blood deficiency with heat syndrome manifesting dry mouth and throat, replace the first ingredient with Shengdihuang (Radix Rehmanniae ) and add Huangqin ( Radix Scutellariae ) and Mudanpi (Cortex Moutan Radixis) to clear away heat and cool blood.
 
Elucidation:
The syndrome results from deficiency of nutrient qi and blood, and obstructed blood circulation. It should be treated by nourishing and regulating blood. The first ingredient is capable of nourishing yin and blood and used as monarch drug. Ingredient No. 2 acts as minister drug with effects of nourishing blood and the liver and regulating menstruation. The last two ingredients function as adjuvant drug, the former nourishing blood and the liver and the latter promoting circulation of both qi and blood. Ingredients No. 1 and No. 3 are designed for nourishing blood, while No. 2 and No. 4 for nourishing and regulating blood. The compatibility of this recipe aims to nourish blood without inducing stasis, promote blood circulation without impairing it. Therefore they also have the function of regulating menstruation.

Cautions:
This recipe is unfit for women with menstrual disorder manifesting stabbing abdominal pain due to blood stagnation, or qi exhaustion concomitant with metrorrhagia.