Dazao Wan
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Ingredients
| Herb Name | English Name | Historical Measure |
|---|---|---|
| human placenta | one | |
| Bai Gui Ban | two liang (approximately 75 g) | |
| Huang Nie | ||
| Du Zhong | liang-ban, understood as one and a half liang (approximately 56.25 g) | |
| Niu Xi | ||
| Tian Dong | ||
| Mai Dong | ||
| Ren Shen | one liang (approximately 37.5 g) | |
| Sheng Di Huang | two liang (approximately 75 g) | |
| Wu Wei Zi |
Traditional Indications
Dazao Wan is recorded in Yi Fang Ji Jie as a historical formula for depletion affecting the TCM Lung and Kidney systems. The source associates it with consumptive weakness, cough, and tidal fever. These are traditional descriptions and are not biomedical diagnoses.
Preparation & Administration
The ingredients are made into pills with wine and rice paste. The source directs taking them with salted liquid and, in winter, with wine. A recorded variation for women removes Gui Ban, adds Dang Gui, and uses milk to cook the paste. No pill weight or amount per dose is stated.
Formula Rationale
The commentary treats the placenta as the chief ingredient for supplementing qi and blood and the processed turtle plastron as the deputy for enriching yin and water. Du Zhong supports the lower back and Kidney system, Niu Xi strengthens the sinews and bones, and Sheng Di Huang nourishes yin and clears deficiency heat. Tian Dong and Mai Dong clear Lung heat, while Ren Shen and the summer addition of Wu Wei Zi support Lung qi. The name Dazao refers to the formula's combined support of the Lung and Kidney systems.