Formula Formulas that tonify

Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang

八珍益母汤

Also known as:

Eight Treasure Leonurus Decoction , Eight-Treasure Soup to Benefit Mothers

Formula Composition

Yi Mu Cao
Yi Mu Cao
Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang
Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Tonifies Qi and Blood
  2. Invigorates the Blood

Patterns Treated

Qi and Blood Deficiency, Blood and Qi Deficiency with Blood Stagnation

Historical Origin

Collected Treatises of [Zhang] ling- Yue (1624 AD )

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang

Main Actions

Tonifies Qi and Blood
Invigorates the Blood

Key TCM Concepts

Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Motherwort Herbs (Yi Mu Cao), Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) and Ginseng (Ren Shen) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1624 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies Qi and Blood and 2) invigorates the 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 Yi Mu Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Qi and Blood Deficiency or Blood and Qi Deficiency with Blood Stagnation. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as menstrual cramps or infertility for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Qi and Blood Deficiency
  • Blood and Qi Deficiency with Blood Stagnation

Common Applications

Menstrual cramps Infertility

Ingredients in Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang

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

Kings
Yi Mu Cao
Yi Mu Cao

Motherwort herbs

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver
Parts Used Dried aerial parts
Role in Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang
In general Yi Mu Cao's main actions are as follows: "Moves and regulates Blood, breaks Stasis and regulates the menses. Increases the flow of urine and reduces Stagnation of water"

In the context of Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang, it is used because it invigorates Blood and stops pain.
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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 Yi Mu 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 Yi Mu Tang, it is used because it nourishes the Blood.
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Ren Shen
Ren Shen

Ginseng

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Ba Zhen Yi Mu 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 Yi Mu Tang, it is used because it is warm in nature and it tonifies Qi.
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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 Yi Mu Tang
In general Dang Gui's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation."

In the context of Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang, it is used because it nourishes the Blood and thereby reinforces the action of 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 Yi Mu 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 Yi Mu Tang, it is used because it invigorates the Blood and promotes the movement of Qi.
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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 Yi Mu Tang
In general Bai Shao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain."

In the context of Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang, it is used because it nourishes the Blood and thereby reinforces the action of Prepared rehmannia.
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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 Yi Mu Tang
Bai Zhu strengthens the Spleen and dry Dampness. Therefore it assists Ginseng in strengthening the Qi of the Spleen and Lungs.
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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 Yi Mu Tang
Fu Ling strengthens the Spleen and dry Dampness. Therefore it assists Ginseng in strengthening the Qi of the Spleen and Lungs.
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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 Yi Mu 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 Yi Mu Tang, it is used because it tonifies Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Ba Zhen Yi Mu 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 Yi Mu 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.