Day 8 of 42 Postpartum Nutrition Meal Series
Si Wu Tang, also known as Four Substances Decoction, traces its roots back over 1,000 years to ancient Chinese medicine. An early version is traditionally attributed to the Taoist physician Master Lin during the Tang Dynasty in the 9th century. By the Song Dynasty, roughly 300 years later, the formula had been documented in medical texts and became one of the foundational prescriptions in traditional Chinese gynecology.
Often celebrated as the “Holy Medicine for Women,” Si Wu Tang has traditionally been used to nourish and regulate blood, support menstrual health, address irregular cycles, and aid postpartum recovery. More than 1,000 years later, this herbal formula is still used today.
HOW TO MAKE IT:
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Add your Si Wu Tang herbal soup kit to a pot with water or broth. You can also add chicken or pork with bones for a richer, more nourishing soup.
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I highly recommend adding plenty of fresh ginger! We recommended brewing soup in a glass or ceramic pot if you have it.
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Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for at least 45 minutes, or longer until your meat is tender.
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Fair warning: This soup is earthy AF! Add rice wine, black vinegar, soy sauce, or fish sauce to balance the flavors.
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Serve with rice, cooked vegetables, and my braised ginger pork from an earlier post in this series. So good together!
MENSTRUAL WELLNESS
Si Wu Tang has traditionally been used for PMS discomfort, irregular cycles, and what TCM calls blood deficiency, often associated with fatigue, dizziness, and weakness. For menstrual wellness, it's traditionally consumed for 3–5 days after your period ends to nourish blood and support the next cycle. Available here for purchase.
POSTPARTUM RECOVERY
In TCM, postpartum recovery follows different stages, beginning with clearing and transitioning into restoring and nourishing blood.
Si Wu Tang is part of Week 2 of FAMMá's 42-Day Postpartum Herbal Soup & Congee Progression Bundle, when we shift our focus from clearing to restoring and rebuilding the mother after childbirth.
IMPORTANT: Not for use during pregnancy. If you're taking medications, especially blood thinners, consult your healthcare practitioner before consuming. This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice.
And don't forget, as your Asian Auntie LaLa says, MAMA EATS FIRST!
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