Formula Formulas that promote Qi movement

Qi Ge San

启隔散

Also known as:

Open Up the Diaphragm Powder

Formula Composition

Bei Sha Shen
Bei Sha Shen
Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Bei Mu
Yu Jin
Yu Jin
Sha Ren Ke
Sha Ren Ke
Dan Shen
Dan Shen
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
He Ye Di
He Ye Di
Mi Pi Kang
Mi Pi Kang
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Regulates Qi and removes Stagnation
  2. Moistens Dryness
  3. Transforms Phlegm

Patterns Treated

Qi Stagnation

Historical Origin

Awakening of the Mind in Medical Studies (1732 AD )

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Qi Ge San

Main Actions

Regulates Qi and removes Stagnation
Moistens Dryness
Transforms Phlegm

Key TCM Concepts

Qi Ge San is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Glehnia Roots (Bei Sha Shen) and Sichuan Fritillary Bulbs (Chuan Bei Mu) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1732 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that promote Qi movement. Its main actions are: 1) regulates Qi and removes Stagnation and 2) moistens Dryness.

 

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 Qi Ge San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Qi Stagnation. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as esophagitis, esophageal diverticulum or early stages esophageal cancer for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Qi Stagnation

Common Applications

Esophagitis Esophageal diverticulum Early stages esophageal cancer

Ingredients in Qi Ge San

Detailed information about each herb in Qi Ge San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Bei Sha Shen
Bei Sha Shen

Glehnia roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Qi Ge San
Bei Sha Shen clears Stomach Heat and tonifies without causing Stagnation. The combination of the two key herb, Fritillary bulb and Glehnia root effectively invigorates Qi of the Upper Burner when it has become Stagnated by Phlegm.
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Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Bei Mu

Sichuan Fritillary bulbs

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs
Parts Used Dried bulb
Role in Qi Ge San
Chuan Bei Mu removes Stagnation and transforms Phlegm without causing Dryness. The combination of the two key herb, Fritillary bulb and Glehnia root effectively invigorates Qi of the Upper Burner when it has become Stagnated by Phlegm.
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Yu Jin
Yu Jin

Turmeric tubers

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried root tuber
Role in Qi Ge San
Yu Jin facilitates the Qi movement, in order to remove Stagnation while also dispelling Blood Stagnation to disperse clumping
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Sha Ren Ke
Sha Ren Ke

Amomum fruit skins

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach, Kidneys
Parts Used The fruit skin
Role in Qi Ge San
In general Sha Ren Ke's main actions are as follows: "Warms the Spleen and transforms Dampness. Promotes the movement of Qi for Damp and Stagnant conditions of the Stomach and Spleen. Settles a restless fetus and stops morning sickness. Prevents cloying and Stagnation sometimes caused by tonifying herbs."

In the context of Qi Ge San, it is used because it invigorates Qi of the Middle Burner and harmonizes the Stomach to stop vomiting and retching.
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Dan Shen
Dan Shen

Red sage roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Qi Ge San
Dan Shen invigorates the Blood, eliminates Stagnation, and thereby assists the dispersion of clumping that has penetrated to the Blood aspect. Together, all the assistant herbs effectively facilitate thedownward-directing of turbid Phlegm and support the ascent of the clear Yang to unblock the Qi dynamic and eliminate Excess Pernicious Factors without causing further Dryness.
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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 Qi Ge San
Fu Ling removes Dampness and transforms Phlegm andgently supports the Middle Burner in its production of Blood without drying effect. Together, all the assistant herbs effectively facilitate thedownward-directing of turbid Phlegm and support the ascent of the clear Yang to unblock the Qi dynamic and eliminate Excess Pernicious Factors without causing further Dryness.
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He Ye Di
He Ye Di

Lotus leaf calyxes

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Spleen, Large Intestine, Liver
Parts Used The leaf calyx
Role in Qi Ge San
He Ye Di directs the Yang upward and strengthens the Spleen's transportive and transformative functions to dispel Dampness and harmonize the Stomach. Together, all the assistant herbs effectively facilitate thedownward-directing of turbid Phlegm and support the ascent of the clear Yang to unblock the Qi dynamic and eliminate Excess Pernicious Factors without causing further Dryness.
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Mi Pi Kang
Mi Pi Kang

Rice bran

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Stomach, Large Intestine
Parts Used The rice bran
Role in Qi Ge San
Mi Pi Kang opens the Stomach, directs the Qi downward, and is a specific herb for the treatment of occlusion. Together, all the assistant herbs effectively facilitate thedownward-directing of turbid Phlegm and support the ascent of the clear Yang to unblock the Qi dynamic and eliminate Excess Pernicious Factors without causing further Dryness.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Qi Ge San

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

Contraindications

Although this formula moistens Dryness, its focus is on invigorating Qi and transforming Phlegm. It should be contraindicated in cases of occlusion due to Blood Stagnation characterized by an inability to swallow food or vomiting up of Blood, or in Yin Deficiency patterns with Body Fluid Deficiency characterized by a tongue without coating, or in Qi and Yang Deficiency patterns accompanied by weight loss and fading spirits.

Herb-Drug Interactions

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