Modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction

Modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula based on the classical prescription "Buyang Huanwu Decoction," which has been used for over 200 years. The original formula consists of seven herbs—Astragali Radix (Astragalus membranaceus), Radix Angelica Sinensis (Angelica sinensis), Radix Paeoniae Rubra (Paeonia lactiflora), Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong), Flos Carthami (Carthamus tinctorius, safflower), Semen Persicae (Prunus persica, peach kernel), and Pheretima aspergillum ("earthworm")—and is designed to tonify qi, invigorate blood circulation, remove blood stasis, and dredge collaterals[2][3][4][6]. "Modified" versions may adjust the proportions or add/remove ingredients to tailor treatment for specific patient needs or disease presentations. The decoction is widely used in China and East Asia for neurological recovery after stroke and sequelae of stroke[4][5], peripheral nerve injury[2], spinal cord injury[2], cerebral ischemia[6], vascular dementia[2], cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic heart failure[3] and coronary heart disease with Qi-deficiency/blood stasis syndrome[8]. Mechanistically, it acts through multiple pathways including promoting angiogenesis via VEGF signaling, enhancing neurogenesis through sirtuin 1/autophagy pathway activation, regulating platelet function by modulating glycoprotein VI signaling in platelets to reduce aggregation/thrombosis risk in cardiovascular conditions, improving microcirculation by reducing blood viscosity/platelet adhesion/aggregation, anti-inflammatory effects via cytokine modulation and antioxidative stress responses. Its multi-targeted approach reflects TCM principles of treating complex syndromes with synergistic herbal combinations.

Other names

Buyang Huanwu DecoctionBHDBYHWD