Danggui Niantong Tang for Gout, Arthritis and Cancer Pain
Danggui Niantong Tang is from Yixue Qiyuan. It consists of: Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma) 15 g, Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix) 9 g, Shengma (Cimicifgae Rhizoma) 3 g, Gegen (Puerariae Radix) 6 g, Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) 3 g, Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) 9 g, Dangguishen (Angelicae Sinensis body) 9 g, Renshen (Ginseng) 6 g, Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix) 15 g, Kushen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix) 6 g (soaked in wine), Chao Huangqin (stir-fried Scutellaria) 3 g, Zhimu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) 9 g (washed in wine), Yinchen (Artemisiae Scopariae Herba) 15 g (wine-fried), Zhuling (Polyporus) 9 g, Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma) 9 g.
When using, crush the formula into a coarse powder. Take 30 g each time, decoct in water, twice daily. This formula clears heat and promotes diuresis, disperses wind and relieves pain. It is indicated for damp-heat battling with external wind, presenting as vexing pain in the limbs and joints all over, or heaviness of the shoulder and back, sores on the feet and knees, a white greasy, slightly yellow tongue coating, and a wiry rapid pulse. Today it is commonly used for gout, gouty arthritis, chronic lower-leg ulcer (lian chuang), neurodermatitis, impetigo, genital itching, flat warts, diabetic foot, Behçet's disease, and may also treat cancer pain belonging to damp-heat pouring downward.
Named for 'relieving pain,' this formula's main emphasis is analgesia. It contains the basic composition of Yinchen Wuling San (Yinchen, Fuling, Zhuling, Baizhu, Zexie--missing only Fuling), which is a representative formula for damp-heat; hence clearing heat and promoting diuresis is an important action. Qianghuo, Fangfeng, Cangzhu, Gegen and Shengma are all exterior-releasing, pain-relieving herbs. The ancients believed that wind evils battling damp-heat produce pain, so using these wind-dispersing, exterior-releasing and pain-relieving herbs gives better results. Kushen, Huangqin and Zhimu clear heat; when dampness and heat bind together, one must both drain dampness and clear heat, so heat-clearing and diuretic herbs work better. Renshen, Gancao and Dangguishen boost qi and nourish blood, fortify the root and support the patient, raising immunity; supporting the upright while expelling evils improves efficacy.
Modern herbal manufacturers produce Danggui Niantong Wan and Danggui Niantong Keli granules based on this formula; patients may buy them at pharmacies or online. This formula has some blood-sugar-lowering effect, and some patients may lose weight, but it must not be abused as a diet pill; patients with liver or kidney insufficiency should be especially cautious. When it matches the pattern, it works quickly; if there is no obvious improvement after a week, do not continue.