Dang Gui Nian Tong Tang 当归拈痛汤
Or, Nian Tong Tang 拈痛汤
Dan Gui Decoction for Relieving Pain
Or, Decoction for Relieving Pain

Tradition:

TCM

Source / Author:

Yi Xue Qi Yuan (Source of Medical Learning) (1186 CE)

Preparation:

Decoction

Function:

Clears Damp-Heat, drains Dampness, disperses Wind, and alleviates pain

Use:

Muscular or Joint pain with a sense of heaviness, redness, swelling and pain, with white, greasy slightly yellow tongue coating
1. Arthralgia (widespread joint pain with heavy feeling)
2. Heaviness felt throughout the body
3. Swelling and pain in the feet and lower legs
4. Skin sores and Eczema on the lower extremities due to Damp-Heat
5. Impetigo herpetiformis
6. Neurodermatitis
7. Genital itching
8. Gonorrhea
9. Neuralgia including Trigeminal; Neuralgia
10. Rheumatoid arthritis
11. Osteoarthritis
12. Sciatica
13. Gout

Dose:

Traditionally ground into a course powder, 30 grams is infused in 2 cups of water, then boiled down to half to be taken over the day.
Today it is prepared as a standard decoction with the doses given above to be taken over the course of the day
If powder or pills are used, 6–9 grams are taken 3 times daily.

Cautions:

1. Not used for Cold-Damp type conditions
2. Avoid spicy, pungent and oily foods while taking this formula

Modifications:

1. More severe redness, swelling and pain, add Coptis Huang Lian and Gypsum (Shi Gao)
2. Severe swelling and pain due to Damp Heat, combined with Huang Lian Jie Du Tang
3. More Severe pain in the extremities, add Cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi) and Paeonia Bai Shao
4. Itching and pain of the skin, add Honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua) and Forsythia (Lian Qiao)

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