Formula Formulas that tonify Qi and Blood

Ba Zhen Tang

八珍汤

Also known as:

Eight Treasure Decoction , Eight Substance Decoction

Formula Composition

Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang
Da Zao
Da Zao
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoys
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Tonifies and augments Qi
  2. Tonifies and augments Blood

Patterns Treated

Lung Qi Deficiency, Spleen Qi Deficiency, Qi and Blood Deficiency, Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency

Historical Origin

Experiential Formulas from the Auspicious Bamboo Hall (1326 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Ba Zhen Tang

Main Actions

Tonifies and augments Qi
Tonifies and augments Blood

Key TCM Concepts

Ba Zhen Tang is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Ginseng (Ren Shen) and Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1326 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Qi and Blood. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies and augments Qi and 2) tonifies and augments Blood.

 

In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.

 

In this case Ba Zhen Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Lung Qi Deficiency, Spleen Qi Deficiency or Qi and Blood Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as spontaneous flow of breast milk, anemia or hepatitis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Lung Qi Deficiency
  • Spleen Qi Deficiency
  • Qi and Blood Deficiency
  • Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency

Common Applications

Spontaneous flow of breast milk Anemia Hepatitis Abnormal uterine bleeding Habitual miscarriage Ulcers Nervous exhaustion

Ingredients in Ba Zhen Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Ba Zhen Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Ren Shen
Ren Shen

Ginseng

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Ba Zhen Tang
In general Ren Shen's main actions are as follows: "Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit)."

In the context of Ba Zhen Tang, it is used because it is warming in nature and augments the Qi.
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Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang

Prepared rehmannia

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Prepared dried root tuber
Role in Ba Zhen Tang
In general Shu Di huang's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys."

In the context of Ba Zhen Tang, it is used because it nourishes the Blood.
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Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu

Atractylodes rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Ba Zhen Tang
Bai Zhu strengthens the Spleen and dry Dampness. Therefore it helps the main ingredient Ren Shen (Ginseng) in fortifying the Spleen and Lungs Qi.
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Fu Ling
Fu Ling

Poria-cocos mushrooms

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried sclerotium
Role in Ba Zhen Tang
In general Fu Ling's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit."

In the context of Ba Zhen Tang, it is used because it strengthens the Spleen and dry Dampness.
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Bai Shao
Bai Shao

White peony roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Ba Zhen Tang
Bai Shao nourishes Blood and helps reinforcing the action of the king ingredient Shu Di Huang (Prepared rehmannia).
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Dang Gui
Dang Gui

Dong quai

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Ba Zhen Tang
Dang Gui nourishes Blood and therefore helps reinforcing the action of the king ingredient Shu Di Huang (Prepared rehmannia).
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Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong

Szechuan lovage roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver, Pericardium
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Ba Zhen Tang
In general Chuan Xiong's main actions are as follows: "Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches."

In the context of Ba Zhen Tang, it is used because it promotes Qi movement and invigorates Blood.
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Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Ba Zhen Tang
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."

In the context of Ba Zhen Tang, it is used because it supplies Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner.
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Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang

Fresh ginger

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Fresh root
Role in Ba Zhen Tang
Sheng Jiang regulates Stomach and Spleen's absorptive function. This is important because it helps the other herbs in the formula to be absorbed. It also regulates the relationship between the Protective (Wei Qi 卫气) and Nutritive Qi (Rong Qi 荣气), which helps patients suffering from Blood and Qi Deficiency to recover without developing other issues.
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Da Zao
Da Zao

Jujube dates

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Ba Zhen Tang
Da Zao regulates Stomach and Spleen's absorptive function, thereby helping the other herbs in the formula to be absorbed.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Ba Zhen Tang

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any TCM herbal formula.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Ba Zhen Tang may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.