Astragalus and Peony Decoction

Hwanggijakyak-tang

한글 황기작약탕 · Pinyin Huang Qi Shao Yao Tang

黃芪芍藥湯

Cut and made into one packet, decocted in water and taken on an empty stomach. Note on modern practice: pelvic floor physical therapy is the first-line treatment for postpartum incontinence and should be pursued alongside any other care.

Composition 構成

Hwanggi Huang Qi
黃芪 황기 · Astragalus

6 g
Chief 君
Danggui Dang Gui
當歸 당귀 · Korean Angelica

6 g
Deputy 臣 tail (尾)
Baekjakyak Bai Shao
白芍藥 백작약 · White Peony

6 g
Deputy 臣
Baekchul Bai Zhu
白朮 백출 · White Atractylodes

4 g
Deputy 臣
Insam Ren Shen
人蔘 인삼 · Ginseng

2 g
Assistant 佐
Jinpi Chen Pi
陳皮 진피 · Aged Tangerine Peel

2 g
Assistant 佐
Gamcho Gan Cao
甘草 감초 · Licorice

1.2 g
Envoy 使 roasted

Total 27.2 g per packet (첩) · representative dosage — verify against source texts.

Received this formula from your practitioner? Amounts shown here are classical reference values — granule and prepared products differ. Always follow your prescribed dosage and directions.

Actions 效能

Restores the Qi that must hold the urine after a birth
Supplements without binding so nothing is trapped

Indications 主治

Pattern-based

Incontinence of urine after birth
unable to hold it (産後遺尿不禁)
Postpartum urinary leakage from Qi vacuity
Leakage with fatigue

Biomedical correlates

Postpartum stress incontinence
Urinary leakage with weakness
Pelvic floor insufficiency — supportive care

Source text 原文

Donguibogam 東醫寶鑑

治産後遺尿不禁. 黃芪ㆍ當歸尾ㆍ白芍藥各一錢半, 白朮一錢, 人參ㆍ陳皮各五分, 甘草(灸) 三分. 右剉, 作一貼, 水煎, 空心服. 《三因》

Translation

Treats incontinence of urine after birth, unable to be held. Astragalus, angelica tail, and white peony, 1.5 don each; white atractylodes 1 don; ginseng and tangerine peel, 5 fun each; roasted licorice 3 fun. Cut the above, make one packet, decoct in water and take on an empty stomach. — Samin 三因 (Donguibogam · Buin)

Clinical commentary 臨床

Seven herbs and not one astringent among them — the whole formula is Qi and Blood, on the reading that leakage after birth is a failure of holding rather than a looseness to be tied shut. Compare Sangpyoso-san, which binds directly: the chapter offers both and lets the practitioner decide whether the patient is slack or simply spent. Angelica's tail rather than its body, since a recently delivered abdomen still wants some movement. — Eui Young (Justin) Chung, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.