Yang He Tang (阳和汤) — Harmonise Yang Decoction

Yang He Tang is a classical Chinese herbal formula used primarily for fibrocystic breast disease with cold-nodule features. It is prescribed for Yin-Cold and stasis in the channels and skin: chronic deep nodules, indurated swellings, scrofula, cold abscesses; lesions that are flat, hard, non-red and non-painful or with dull discomfort; cold-natured, weak-constitutioned patient with a pale tongue and a deep slow pulse.

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions
7. Frequently asked questions

What is Yang He Tang?

Yang He Tang — Harmonise Yang Decoction — is a classical formula from Wang Hong-Xu’s Wai Ke Quan Sheng Ji (1740) for Yin-cold sores and chronic deep abscesses. It is one of the most useful and underused formulas in Chinese herbal medicine for chronic skin nodules, fibrocystic breast disease, chronic mastitis and the kind of deep, cold, non-suppurating lesions that resist conventional treatment.

I prescribe Yang He Tang as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

Yang He Tang TCM pattern

Prescribed for Yin-Cold and stasis in the channels and skin: chronic deep nodules, indurated swellings, scrofula, cold abscesses; lesions that are flat, hard, non-red and non-painful or with dull discomfort; cold-natured, weak-constitutioned patient with a pale tongue and a deep slow pulse.

Key herbs

1. Shu Di Huang (Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata, 20-30g) — nourishes Blood and Yin to soften hardness
2. Lu Jiao Jiao (deer horn glue, sustainably farmed, 6-9g) or substitute — tonifies Yang and Essence
3. Rou Gui (Cx. Cinnamomi, 2-3g), Pao Jiang (charred Gan Jiang, 1.5-6g) — warm channels and dispel deep Cold
4. Bai Jie Zi (Sm. Sinapis, 6g) — disperses cold Phlegm in the channels
5. Ma Huang (Hb. Ephedrae, 1.5-3g) — opens the channels to allow the warming herbs to penetrate
6. Gan Cao (Rx. Glycyrrhizae, 2-3g) — harmonises

Formula actions

1. Warms the channels and dispels Cold from the skin and tissue layer
2. Tonifies Blood and Yang to dissolve hardness
3. Disperses cold Phlegm and resolves chronic nodules

Conditions treated

1. Fibrocystic breast disease with cold-nodule features
2. Chronic non-suppurating mastitis
3. Chronic cold-pattern bone and joint abscesses (Bi syndrome)
4. Cold-pattern thyroid nodules
5. Chronic non-healing cold ulcers in deficient constitutions
6. Selected presentations of scleroderma, lupus pernio and morphea

Cautions

Contraindicated in heat-pattern sores with redness, swelling and pus, in pregnancy and in hypertension^[19] (Ma Huang content). Patients with skin nodules should be evaluated to exclude malignancy before TCM treatment.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available.

Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.

Frequently asked questions about Yang He Tang

What is Yang He Tang used for?

Yang He Tang is used for fibrocystic breast disease with cold-nodule features, chronic non-suppurating mastitis, chronic cold-pattern bone and joint abscesses (bi syndrome), cold-pattern thyroid nodules, chronic non-healing cold ulcers in deficient constitutions. The formula targets the underlying TCM pattern producing these symptoms rather than the symptom in isolation, which is why pattern diagnosis by a qualified herbalist is essential.

How does Yang He Tang work?

The herbs in Yang He Tang work together: Shu Di Huang (Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata, 20 30g) — nourishes blood and yin to soften hardness; Lu Jiao Jiao (deer horn glue, sustainably farmed, 6 9g) or substitute — tonifies yang and essence; Rou Gui (Cx. Cinnamomi, 2 3g), pao jiang (charred gan jiang, 1.5-6g) — warm channels and dispel deep cold. The synergy of these actions addresses the underlying TCM pattern.

How long does Yang He Tang take to work?

For most patients, an improvement is typically noticed within 2–4 weeks of daily granule treatment. Full benefit usually requires 6–12 weeks, depending on how long-standing the underlying pattern is. Yang He Tang is typically prescribed as part of an individualised treatment plan that may include other herbs or adjustments over time.

Is Yang He Tang safe in pregnancy?

Contraindicated in heat-pattern sores with redness, swelling and pus, in pregnancy and in hypertension (Ma Huang content). As with any Chinese herbal formula, prescription in pregnancy should only be by a qualified RCHM herbalist with pregnancy training.

Who should not take Yang He Tang?

Contraindicated in heat-pattern sores with redness, swelling and pus, in pregnancy and in hypertension (Ma Huang content). Patients with skin nodules should be evaluated to exclude malignancy before TCM treatment. Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available. Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide. Yang He Tang must be prescribed only after full pattern diagnosis by a qualified RCHM herbalist; self-prescription is not appropriate.

References

[19] Wang J, Xiong X, Liu W. Tianma Gouteng Yin as Adjunctive Treatment for Essential Hypertension: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:706125. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/706125. PMID: 23710230.