Formula Formulas that tonify Qi

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang

补中益气汤

Also known as:

Tonify the Middle to Augment the Qi Decoction , Ginseng and Astragalus Combination

Formula Composition

Huang Qi
Huang Qi
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Chen Pi
Chen Pi
Chai Hu
Chai Hu
Sheng Ma
Sheng Ma
Da Zao
Da Zao
Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoys
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)
  2. Raises the Yang
  3. Detoxifies
  4. Lifts what has sunken

Patterns Treated

Qi Deficiency, Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking, Spleen Qi Sinking, Liver Qi Deficiency, Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency, Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency, Large Intestine collapse, Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus, Spleen Yang Deficiency, Qi and Blood Deficiency, Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency, Spleen Deficiency, Qi Deficiency Fever, Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency

Historical Origin

Clarifying Doubts about Damage from Internal and External Causes (1247)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang

Main Actions

Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)
Raises the Yang
Detoxifies
Lifts what has sunken

Key TCM Concepts

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1247, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Qi. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner) and 2) raises the Yang.

 

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 Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Qi Deficiency, Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking or Spleen Qi Sinking. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as abnormal uterine bleeding, heavy menstruation or absence of menstruation for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Qi Deficiency
  • Qi Collapsing or Qi Sinking
  • Spleen Qi Sinking
  • Liver Qi Deficiency
  • Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
  • Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency
  • Large Intestine collapse
  • Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus
  • Spleen Yang Deficiency
  • Qi and Blood Deficiency
  • Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency
  • Spleen Deficiency
  • Qi Deficiency Fever
  • Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency

Common Applications

Abnormal uterine bleeding Heavy menstruation Absence of menstruation Early menstruation Abnormal vaginal discharge Chronic hepatitis Arrhythmia Hypertension Chronic bronchitis Chronic rhinitis Apthous ulcers Chronic laryngitis Uterine prolapse Rectal prolapse Gastroptosis Hernial pain Urinary incontinence Leukorrhea Chyluria

Ingredients in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Huang Qi
Huang Qi

Milkvetch roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Huang Qi strongly tonifies Qi and raises the Yang Qi of the Spleen and Stomach. It also prevents further Qi loss through leakage to the outside.
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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 Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
In general Bai Zhu's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi."

In the context of Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, it is used because it is sweet and warm and tonify the Qi of the Middle Burner.
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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 Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Ren Shen tonifies the Qi of the Middle Burner, like the other two deputy herbs (Atractylodes rhizome and Liquorice). It is worth mentioning that Ginseng being often prohibitively expensive, it is commonly substituted for Codonopsis root (Dang Shen) which has similar attributes and is much cheaper.
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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 Bu Zhong Yi Qi 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 Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, it is used because it is sweet and warm and tonify the Qi of the Middle Burner.
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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 Bu Zhong Yi Qi 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 Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, it is used because it tonifies the Qi in the Blood.
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Chen Pi
Chen Pi

Tangerine peel

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried pericarp of the ripe fruit
Role in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Chen Pi facilitates the digestion of the formula's tonifying herbs and therefore increases their effectiveness.
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Chai Hu
Chai Hu

Bupleurum roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Liver
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
In general Chai Hu's main actions are as follows: "Harmonizes exterior and interior. Smoothes the Liver and upraises the Yang."

In the context of Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, it is used because it smoothes the Liver Qi flow, relieves constraint, and rises the clear Yang.
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Sheng Ma
Sheng Ma

Bugbane rhizomes

Temperature Cool
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Large Intestine, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
In general Sheng Ma's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior, scatters Wind and clears Heat. Allows the release of toxicity from the skin and clears Heat. Raises the Yang associated with Middle Qi Deficiency. Directs herbs upwards. Cools the Blood."

In the context of Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, it is used because it helps raise the sunken Yang Qi, together with Bupleurum root (Chai Hu) - the formula's other envoy..
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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 Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
In general Da Zao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi. Tonifies the Blood. Calms the Shen (spirit). Moderates the actions of other herbs in formula."
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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 Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
In general Sheng Jiang's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning."
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated for fever due to Heat from Yin Deficiency or for excess disorders caused by the contraction of external pathogens. Not recommended for all types of prolapse, but only in those due to Qi Deficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Bu Zhong Yi Qi 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.