Which formula contains at least 2 herbs that tonify blood, specifically Gou Qi Zi and Dang Gui?

• A. Yi Guan Jian - Gou Qi Zi and Dang Gui
• B. Si Jun Zi Tang - Ren Shen and Bai Zhu
• C. Ba Zhen Tang - Bai Shao and Shu Di Huang
• D. Si Wu Tang - Dang Gui and Shu Di Huang

Answer: (D)

Blood deficiency patterns are best addressed by formulas that nourish and replenish the blood. The two classic blood-nourishing herbs are Dang Gui and Shu Di Huang. Si Wu Tang brings these two herbs together with Bai Shao and Chuan Xiong, creating a preparation whose primary action is to tonify and nourish the blood. Because it includes two direct blood-tonifying components, it clearly satisfies the idea of a formula that has at least two herbs that tonify blood. Other formulas in the list serve different central purposes—for example, one focuses on qi tonification, another blends qi and blood tonification, or emphasizes yin nourishment—so they don’t demonstrate the same direct two-herb blood-tonifying pattern as Si Wu Tang. Gou Qi Zi is a blood-nourishing herb, but it isn’t the defining pair in this formula; the key point is that Dang Gui and Shu Di Huang together provide the two primary blood-tonifying herbs.