Four Substances generally refers to the four Chinese herbs Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Radix Paeoniae Alba, and Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong, and the formula is called Four Substances Tang, which is the basic formula for treating blood deficiency and stagnation, and has the effect of regulating menstruation and replenishing blood.
The history and scope of application of Si Wu Tang is extensive, and hundreds of formulas have been derived from this formula. The original formula of Si Wu Tang consists of Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Radix Paeoniae Alba and Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong. Among them, Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata, Radix Angelicae Sinensis and Radix Paeoniae Alba are blood tonic drugs, while Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong is a drug that moves Qi and activates Blood (promoting the movement of Qi and blood circulation), and removes blood stasis. The formula is mainly used to tonify Blood, with the addition of Chuanxiong’s qi-moving properties to promote the production and transportation of Blood.
Si Wu Tang is mostly used for treating Qi and Blood deficiency conditions, and generally needs to be applied with additions or subtractions in conjunction with the patient’s specific symptoms. It is contraindicated in cases of exogenous sensation, desiccation, solid symptoms, congestion of qi and blood, and allergies.
Four Substances Tang is recommended to be used under the guidance of a professional Chinese medicine doctor and should not be taken on its own.