Class 4: Qi Tonics

Xianhui Li
Introduction of Tonifying Herbs
Definition:
These are the herbs that can supplement the substances of the
body, improve functional activities, enhance the resistance ability
of the human body and relieve the syndromes of deficiency
types
Classification:
Qi tonics, yang tonics, blood tonics and yin tonics
Attention:
Due to the mutual supplementary effect between yin and yang,
qi and blood, their tonics are often used together
Not suggested for patients with excess pattern
Improper use of these herbs may cause damage
Protect the spleen and stomach or use the herbs that can
promote digestion
Qi Tonics
Qi deficiency:
Mainly related to the spleen and the lung
Applications:
Qi deficiency
Used as assistance for blood deficiency
Herbs that can promote flow of qi should
be used properly when there are the
symptoms of stagnation of qi due to qi
tonics
Herbs
Radix Ginseng (Ren Shen) MM: pp 710-714
Radix Codonopsis (Dang Shen) MM: pp 714-717
Sclerotium Poriae (Fu Ling) MM: pp 267-271
Rhizoma Atractylodes macrocephalae (Bai Zhu) MM: pp 726-730
Radix Glycirrhizae (Gan Cao) MM: pp 732-735
Pericarpium Citri (Chen Pi) MM: pp 510-514
Tuber Pinelliae (Ban Xia) MM: pp 413-418
Radix Saussureae (Mu Xiang) MM: pp 529-533
FructusAmomi (Sha Ren) MM: pp 479-481
Semen Dolichoros (Bai Bian Dou)
Semen Nelumbinis (Lian Zi) MM: 879-881
Semen Coicis (Yi Yi Ren) MM: 275-277
Radix Platycodi (Jie Geng) MM: pp 429-432
Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng)
(Bai Shen, Hong Shen, Ye Shan Shen, Ji
Lin Shen)
Categories: tonifying qi
Taste and property: sweet, slightly bitter, slightly warm
Meridian Tropism: Lung and spleen
Actions: Drastically tonify the primordial qi, supplement the spleen and the
lung, promote production of body fluid to quench thirst, calm the mind and
improve intelligence
Applications:
Collapse of qi: Du Shen Tang or Shen Fu Tang
Spleen qi deficiency: Si Jun Zi Tang
Lung qi deficiency: Short breath, lassitude, asthma on slight movement, weak
pulse and spontaneous sweating, Ren Shen Hu Tao Tang
Thirst and diabetes due to impairment of body fluid: Bai Hu Jia Ren Shen Tang,
Sheng Mai San (for deficiency of both qi and yin)
Restlessness of the heart spirit marked by insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep
caused by qi deficiency, i.e. Gui Pi Tang (Spleen Heart Tonics)
Blood deficiency or impotence
Dosage: 5-10g. It should be decocted with soft fire separately. Powder 1-2g
Attention: Not suggested for excess or heat pattern, Incompatible with Li
Lu, Wu Ling Zhi, Lai fu zi, Avoid taking tea and radish
Dang Shen (Radix Salviae
Miltiorrhizae)
Categories: tonifying qi
Taste and Property: Sweet and neutral
Meridian tropism: Lung and spleen
Actions: Tonify the middle jiao, supplement qi and promote
production of body fluid and nourish blood
Applications:
Deficiency of qi of middle jiao: Often used with Bai Zhu, Fu Ling and
Gan cao
Lung qi deficiency: Used with Huang Qi and Wu Wei Zi, i.e. Bu Fei tang
Short breath with thirst due to impairment of body fluid in febrile
diseases
Sallow complexion, dizziness and palpitation due to blood deficiency It
works by tonifying qi to nourish blood, i.e. Ba Zhen tang
Dosage: 10-30g
Attentions: Incompatible with Li Lu
Fu Ling (Poria, Radix Poria)
Categories: transforming dampness
Taste and Property: Sweet, bland and neutral
Meridian Tropism: Heart, spleen and kidney
Actions: Induce diuresis, Strengthen the function of the
spleen, Tranquilize the mind
Application:
Difficulty in urination, edema or water retention: Being an
important herb, Fu Ling is often used together with Zhu Ling and
Ze Xie to strengthen the effect of inducing diuresis and
eliminating dampness.
Spleen deficiency: Marked by lassitude, poor appetite and
loose stool, often used together with Dang Shen, Bai Zhu and
Gan Cao, i.e. Si Jun Zi Tang
Palpitation and insomnia: Often used together with Zhu Sha,
Suan Zao Ren and Yuan Zhi
Dosage: 10-15g
Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodes
Microcephone)
Categories: tonifying qi
Taste and property: Bitter, sweet and warm
Meridian tropism: Spleen and stomach
Actions: Tonify qi, strengthen the spleen, dry dampness, stop sweating and
calm the fetus
Applications:
Spleen qi deficiency: Used with Ren Shen, Fu Ling and Gan Cao, i.e. Si Jun Zi
Tang
Spleen deficiency cold: Used with Dang Shen, Gan Jiang and Zhi Gan Cao: Li
Zhong Wan
Spleen deficiency with retained food: Used with Zhi Shi, Zhi Zhu Wan
Spleen deficiency with retention of dampness marked by phlegm and retained
water: Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang for phlegm, used with Chen Pi, Da Fu Pi and Fu
Ling Pi for edema
Spleen qi deficiency marked by spontaneous sweating, used with Huang Qi, and
Fu Xiao Mai
Restlessness of fetus due to spleen deficiency: Used with different herbs for
different types
Dosage: 5-15g. Used raw for drying dampness and inducing diuresis, stir-
fried for supplementing spleen qi and stir-fried to yellow for diarrhea due to
spleen deficiency
Attentions: This herb tends to impair yin because it has a dry property, so it
is applicable only to the spleen deficiency with dampness
Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhiziae)
Categories: tonifying qi
Taste and Property: Sweet and neutral
Meridian Tropism: Heart, spleen, lung and stomach
Actions: Supplement the spleen qi, moisten the lung to relieve cough, relax spasm to
relieve pain and harmonize functions of other herbs
Applications:
Weakness of the spleen and stomach marke by short breath, lassitude and loose stools:
Used with ren Shen, Bai Zhu and Fu Ling, i.e. Si Jun Zi Tang
Cough and asthma: Used with Ma Huang and Xing Ren (San Ao Tang) for that caused by
wind cold. Used with Sheng Shi gao (Ma Xing Shi gan Tang) for that caused by stagnated
heat in the lung
Carbuncles or food or drug poisoning
Sore throat: Jie Geng tang
Carbuncles: Jin Yin Hua and Pu Gong Ying
Food or drug poisoning: Used alone or with Liu Dou (green Bean)
Spasm of abdomen or limbs:
Abdominal pain due to deficiency cold of the spleen and stomach: Used with Gui Zhi, Shao Yao and Yi
Tang, Xiao Jiang Zhong Tang
Spasm of limbs due to deficiency of ying blood: Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang
Harmonize functions of other herbs
Used with Fu Zi and Gan Jiang: Prevent yin impairment
Used with Shi Gao and Zhi Mu: Reduce the cold nature of these two herbs
Used with Da Huang and Mang Xiao: Slow the purging effect
Dosage: 2-10g. Used raw for clearing heat and removing toxic materials and after
stir-fried for tonifying the middle jiao
Attention: Large dosage of gan Cao may cause edema
Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome)
Categories: Warm Herbs that Transform Phlegm-Cold
Taste and Property: Pungent, warm and toxic
Meridian Tropism: Spleen, stomach and lung
Actions: Dry dampness to dissolve phlegm, lower rising of the stomach qi to relieve
vomiting and disperse stagnancy and dissipate nodules
Applications:
Much phlegm with cough and dyspnea due to accumulation of phlegm following failure of the
spleen to transform water: This herb serves as an important herb for damp phlegm, often
used with Chen Pi and Fu Ling, i.e. Er Chen Tang. For cold phlegm used with Xi Xin and
Gan Jiang additionally, while for hot phlegm, used with Huang Qin, Zhi Mu and Gua Lou
additionally.
Nausea or vomiting due to rising of the stomach qi: Mainly used to treat vomiting due to
retention of cold water, used with Sheng Jiang, I,e, Xiao ban Xia Tang
For vomiting due to stomach deficiency: Used with Ren Shen and Bai Mi
For vomiting due to stomach heat: Huang Lian and Zhu Ru
For morning sickness: Su Geng and Sha Ren
Obstructing feeling in the chest with vomiting due to interlocking of phlegm heat: Used with
Huang Lian and Gua Lou, i.e. Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
Globus Hystericus : With Hou Po, Su Ye an Fu Ling: Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang
Goiter or scrofula: With Zhe Bei, Kun Bu and Hai Zao
Dosage: 5-10g
Attentions: Incompatible with Wu Tou, being warm and dry, this herb should be used
with a great care for dry cough due to yin deficiency, bleeding and hot phlegm
Ju Pi (Chen Pi, tangerine peel,
Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae)
Categories: Herbs that regulate the qi
Taste and Property: Pungent, bitter and warm
Meridian Tropism: Spleen and lung
Actions: Regulate flow of qi, harmonize function of the middle jiao, dry
dampness and dissolve phlegm
Applications:
Stagnation of qi in the spleen and stomach marked by fullness in the abdomen
and epigastrium, eructation, vomiting or nausea
Fullness and pain in the epigastrium or abdomen, often used with Zhi Ke and Mu Xiang
Nausea or vomiting: Used with Sheng Jiang, i.e. Ju Pi Tang
Vomiting with phlegm heat manifestations: Used with Zhu Ru and Huang Lian
Abdominal pain and diarrhea due to liver qi attacking the spleen: Used with Bai Zhu, Bai
Shao and Fang Fengm i.e. Tong Xie Yao Fang
Indigestion due to deficiency of the spleen qi, used with Dang Shen, Bai Zhu and Zhi
Gan Cao, i.e. Yi Gong Sang
Dampness obstructing in the middle jiao marked by stuffiness in the chest and
abdominal fullness, poor appetite, lassitude, loose stool, thick tongue coating,
also for cough, profuse sputum.
For the former, it is used with Cang Zhu and Hou Po, i.e. Ping Wei San.
For the latter, used with Ban Xia and Fu Ling, i.e. Er Chen Tang
Dosage: 3-10g
Bian Dou (Semen Dolichoris
Lablab)
Categories: tonifying qi
Taste and Property: Sweet and slightly warm
Meridian Tropism: Spleen and stomach
Actions: Strengthen the spleen to remove dampness
Applications:
Spleen deficiency with dampness marked by loose stools,
diarrhea or leukorrhea, i.e. Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Vomiting or diarrhea due to invasion of summer heat and
dampness, used with Xiang Ru and Hou Po, i.e. Xiang Ru San
Dosage: 10-20g
Mu Xiang (Aucklandia root, Radix
Aucklandiae)
Categories: regulating qi
Taste and property: Pungent, bitter and warm
Meridian Tropism: Spleen, stomach, large intestine and gallbladder
Actions: Promotes flow of qi, regulates function of the middle jiao and
relieves pain
Applications:
Stagnation of qi in the spleen and stomach marked by poor appetite, indigestion,
fullness in the epigastrium and abdomen, borborygmus, diarrhea
Distending pain due to qi stagnation in the epigastrium and abdomen: Used with
Zhi Ke, Chuan Lian Zi and Yan Hu Suo
Diarrhea due to damp heat: Used with Huang Lian
Failure of the liver to dredge flow of qi due to inability of the spleen to transform
and transport marked by distending pain in the hypochondrium, bitter taste in the
mouth, yellow coating or even jaundice, often used with Chai Hu, Yu Jin and Zhi
Ke, and Da Huang, Yin Chen and Jin Qian Cao
Deficiency of both the spleen qi and the stomach qi: Used with Dang Shen, Bai
Zhu and Sha Ren, i.e. Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Dosage: 3-10g. Used raw for promote flow of qi and baked for diarrhea
Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit)
Categories: transforming dampness
Taste and Property: Pungent and warm
Meridian: Spleen and stomach
Actions: Remove dampness, Promote flow of qi, Warm up the
middle jiao, Relieve excessive fetal movement
Application:
Dampness obstructing in the middle jiao or stagnation of qi in the spleen
and stomach marked by fullness and distending pain in the epigastrium
and abdomen, poor appetite, vomiting and diarrhea: Used together with
Hou Po, Cang Zhu and Bai Dou Kou for dampness obstructing in the
middle jiao, Used with Mu Xiang, Zhi Shi, Bai Zhu for stagnation of both
qi and retained food, i.e. Xiang Sha Zhi Shi Wan, Stagnation of qi due to
spleen deficiency: Used together with Dang Shen and Bai Zhu, i.e.
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Wan (GI Strength)
This herb has the action of warming up the middle jiao, so it is specially
effective for diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, used alone in the form of
powder or such herbs warming up the middle jiao such as Gan Jiang
and Fu Zi.
Morning sickness or excessive fetal movement: This herb works by
promoting flow of qi and harmonizing function of the middle jiao, used
together Bai Zhu and Su Geng for Morning sickness or excessive fetal
movement due to stagnation of qi with spleen deficiency.
Dosage: 3-6g. To be decocted later for decoction
Lian zi (Lotus seed
Semen Nelumbinis)
Categories: stabilizing and binding
Taste and property: neutral, sweet, astringent
Meridian tropism: Kidney, Spleen, and heart
Actions: Tonifies Spleen and stops diarrhea, Tonifies Kidney and
stabilizes essence, Nourishes blood and calms mind
Applications
For spleen deficiency with chronic diarrhea and loss of appetite, this
herb augments and binds, used with ren shen, bai zhu, fu ling, shan
yao, i.e. shen ling bai zhu san.
For premature ejaculation and spermatorrhea due to unstable,
deficiency kidneys, used with qian shi, sha yuan zi, i.e. jin suo gu jing
wan
For palpitations, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, used with suan zao ren,
yuan zhi, fu shen,
Also used for excessive uterine bleeding and vaginal discharge
Dosage: 6-15g
Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed, Semen Coicis)
Categories: draining dampness
Taste and Property: Sweet, bland and slightly cold
Meridian Tropism: Spleen, stomach and lung
Actions: Induce diuresis to eliminate dampness, Strengthen the spleen,
Relieve Bi syndrome, Clear away heat and drain pus
Application:
Oliguria, edema, beriberi or diarrhea due to spleen deficiency: This herb is
similar in function as Fu Ling, so it is more suitable for exuberance of dampness
due to spleen deficiency. Often used together with the herbs strengthening the
function of the spleen. Besides, as this herb is slightly cold in nature, it can clear
away damp heat, applicable to stranguria due to damp heat. Single use of the
herb is effective for stranguria with stone or sand
Spasm of the tendons and muscles in Bi Syndrome. This herb can both
induce diuresis and relax tendons and muscles. For pain of the whole body due
to wind dampness, it is used together with Ma Huang, Xing Ren and Gan Cao,
i.e. Ma Huang Xing Ren Yi Yi Gan Cao Tang
Lung abscess or intestinal absces: This herb can drain pus to treat abscess in
the interior. For lung abscess, it is used together with Wei Jing, Dong Gua Ren
and Tao Ren, i.e. Wei Jing Tang. For Intestinal abscess, it is used together with
Bai Jiang Cao, Dan Pi and Tao Ren.
Dosage: 10-30g
This herb is mild in action, so its dosage should be large. When used to
strengthen the function of the spleen, it should be used after stir-fried, while
for other conditions, used raw.
Jie Geng (Platycodon Root)
Categories: transforming phlegm and stopping cough
Taste and property: Bitter, pungent and neutral
Meridian tropism: Lung
Actions: Open the lung qi, dissolve phlegm and drain pus
Applications
Cough with much phlegm, difficult discharge of the phlegm obstructing
feeling in the chest and diaphragm, sore throat and hoarseness
Cough with much phlegm due to wind cold: Used with Xing Ren, Su Ye
and Chen Pi, i.e. Xing Su San
Cough with sore throat and hoarseness due to wind heat: Used with
Sang ye, Ju Hua and Xing Ren, i.e. Sang Ju Yin
Chets distension due to stagnation of qi and obstruction of phlegm:
Used with Zhi Ke and Gua Lou Pi
Lung abscess marked by chest pain, cough with pus and blood: This
herb can drain pus when used with gan Cao, i.e. Jie Geng Tang. At
present It is usually used with Yu Xing Cao, Yi Yi ren, etc.
Dosage: 3-10g
Formulas
Si Jun Zi Tang, Liu Jun Zi Tang, Xiang
Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang FS: pp 236-238
Er Chen Tang FS: pp 432-433
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San FS: 239-240
Four-Gentlemen Decoction (si
jun zi tang)
Categories: tonifying qi
Ingredients: Ren shen, Bai zhu,
Fu ling, Gan cao
Actions and indications of the
formula
Actions
Tonify qi and strengthen spleen
Indications
Pale complexion, low voice, reduced appetite, loose
stools, weakness in limbs. Pale tongue, thin weak
pulse.
Analysis of Formula
Chief: Ren shen
tonify qi
Deputy: Bai zhu, Fu ling
tonify spleen and drain dampness
Assistant: Zhi gan cao
warm and regulate middle jiao
Modern application and
modifications
Modifications
Liu jun zi Tang: add chen pi, ban xia
Strengthens the spleen, transforms phlegm and stops vomiting
For spleen deficiency and phlegm: loss ofappetite, nausea or
vomiting, focal distention and a stifling sensation in the chest and
epigastrium and often coughing of copious thin, white sputum
Xiang sha liu jun zi tang: liu jun zi tang add mu xiang, sha ren
Strenghtens the spleen, harmonizes the stomach, regulates the qi,
and alleviates pain
For spleen and stomach qi deficiency with damp-cold stagnating in
the middle burner: reduced appetite with a feeling of surfeit after
eating very little, belching, abdominal distention or pain, and
sometimes vomiting and diarrhea
Attention: Not for excess pattern
Shen ling bai zhu san (Ginseng,
Poria and Atractylodes
Macrocephala Powder)
Categories: tonifying qi
Ingredients: Ren shen, Bai zhu, Fu
ling, Gan cao; shan yao, bai bian dou,
lian zi, yi yi ren, sha ren, jie geng
Actions and indications of the
formula
Actions
Tonify qi and strengthen spleen
leach out dampness
stop diarrhea
Indications
Loose stool or diarrhea. Pale complexion, low voice,
reduced appetite, weakness in limbs. Pale tongue,
thin weak pulse.
Analysis of Formula
Chief: Si jun zi tang
Tonify spleen
Deputy: shan yao, bai bian dou, lian zi, yi yi ren,
sha ren
tonify spleen, drain dampness and stop diarrhea
Assistant: Zhi gan cao
warm and regulate middle jiao
Envoy: Jie geng
disseminate lung qi and help spread nourishment
throughout the body.
Attention: Not for yin deficiency with heat
Er Chen tang (Two-Cured
decoction)
Categories: treating phlegm
Ingredients: Ban xia, Chen pi (Ju
hong), Fu ling, Gan cao, sheng jiang,
wu mei
Actions and indications of the
formula
Actions
Dry dampness, transform phlegm, regulate qi
and harmonize the middle jiao
Indications
Cough with copious white sputum that is
easily expectorated, focal distention and a
stifling sensation in the chest and diaphragm,
palpitations, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, a
swollen tongue with a white, thick, greasy
coating and a slippery pulse.
Analysis of Formula
Chief: Ban xia, chen pi
Ban xia: dry dampness, expel phlegm, and cause the rebellious
stomach qi descend.
Chen pi: revive spleen and facilitate the flow of qi in the middle
jiao.
Deputy: Fu ling
Fu ling: tonify spleen and drain dampness
Assistant: Zhi gan cao
Regulate middle jiao
Envoy: sheng jiang, wu mei
Sheng jiang: control nausea
Wu mei: counterbalance the dispersing tendency of the chief
herb and prevents the dissipation of lung qi
Attention: Not for Yin deficiency pattern