Explainer | How TCM’s ‘miracle pill’ is used to treat strokes, but experts urge caution
The prized Angong Niuhuang Wan is thought to help stroke victims if taken at the right time. But when is that, and can it harm you?
This series is based on our reporting on TCM: its history, treatments and growing acceptance around the world. This is the seventh instalment.
In the world of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), few remedies carry the legendary status – or the hefty price tag – of Angong Niuhuang Wan, often referred to as the “miracle pill”.
The old formula, consisting of 11 herbs and minerals, has long been revered as a top-grade emergency medicine, historically used to treat those who have had a stroke or may be about to have one.
According to the World Stroke Organization’s 2025 Global Stroke Fact Sheet, stroke remains a critical global health challenge, with 11.9 million new cases occurring annually and 93.8 million people currently living with the long-term aftermath of the condition.
The Hong Kong Stroke Fund says that about 25,000 new stroke cases occur in the city each year, with 3,500 stroke-related deaths.
That is why Angong Niuhuang Wan has been a fixture in many Chinese households for generations, particularly those with elderly family members. Similar gold-foil-wrapped traditional medicine pills are used in other parts of Asia, such as South Korea.