Chinese Taxillus Herb — Classic Formulas
Sang Ji Sheng · Herba Taxilli
Primary Actions
- Dispels wind-damp and alleviates painful obstruction - Sang Ji Sheng is a classic herb for chronic bi syndrome affecting the joints, tendons, low back, and knees, especially when pain is paired with weakness rather than robust excess.
- Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys - unlike many dispersing wind-damp herbs, it nourishes the deeper deficiency that underlies chronic weakness of sinews and bones, making it especially useful for older or debilitated patients.
- Strengthens sinews and bones - it is used for weak knees, low-back soreness, difficulty walking, and recovery states in which tendon-bone support is compromised.
- Calms the fetus and stops restless pregnancy - classical and modern TCM use includes threatened miscarriage, fetal restlessness, and pregnancy low-back pain when deficiency rather than acute heat-toxin is the main pattern.
Classic Formulas
- Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (独活寄生汤) - the defining formula for chronic wind-cold-damp bi with Liver-Kidney deficiency, where Sang Ji Sheng helps nourish while obstruction is dispelled.
- Shou Tai Wan (寿胎丸) - traditional fetus-calming formula logic in which Sang Ji Sheng is paired with Tu Si Zi, Xu Duan, and E Jiao for threatened miscarriage and restless fetus due to deficiency.
- Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin (天麻钩藤饮) - later formula usage extends Sang Ji Sheng into hypertension-style patterns where Liver and Kidney deficiency coexists with rising Yang and internal wind.
Classical Text References
- TCM Wiki describes Sang Ji Sheng as bitter, sweet, and neutral, entering the Liver and Kidney channels, with actions of dispelling wind-damp, tonifying the Liver and Kidneys, strengthening sinews and bones, and calming the fetus.
- American Dragon emphasizes that it is one of the gentlest and most deficiency-supportive wind-damp herbs, especially appropriate for chronic low-back and knee weakness, arthritis, and pregnancy support.
- Traditional formula literature strongly anchors Sang Ji Sheng in chronic bi syndrome and fetus-calming use, which is why it appears in both Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang and Shou Tai Wan traditions.