Formula Formulas that tonify Qi

Ren Shen Ge Jie San

人参蛤蚧散

Also known as:

Ginseng and Gecko Powder

Formula Composition

Ge Jie
Ge Jie
Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Sang Bai Pi
Sang Bai Pi
Chuan Bei Mu
Chuan Bei Mu
Xing Ren
Xing Ren
Zhi Mu
Zhi Mu
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Tonifies the Qi
  2. Augments the Kidneys
  3. Stops coughing
  4. Arrests wheezing

Patterns Treated

Kidneys failing to receive Qi, Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs, Lung Qi Deficiency

Historical Origin

Formulas of Broad Benefit (1047 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Ren Shen Ge Jie San

Main Actions

Tonifies the Qi
Augments the Kidneys
Stops coughing
Arrests wheezing

Key TCM Concepts

Ren Shen Ge Jie San is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Tokay Geckos (Ge Jie) and Ginseng (Ren Shen) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1047 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Qi. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies the Qi and 2) augments the Kidneys.

 

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 Ren Shen Ge Jie San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Kidneys failing to receive Qi, Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs or Lung Qi Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as bronchial asthma, emphysema or bronchiectasis for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Kidneys failing to receive Qi
  • Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
  • Lung Qi Deficiency

Common Applications

Bronchial asthma Emphysema Bronchiectasis Pulmonary heart disease Pulmonary tuberculosis Chronic bronchitis

Ingredients in Ren Shen Ge Jie San

Detailed information about each herb in Ren Shen Ge Jie San and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Ge Jie
Ge Jie

Tokay geckos

Temperature Neutral
Taste Salty
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Lungs
Parts Used Whole animal
Role in Ren Shen Ge Jie San
Ge Jie is salty and warming, and thus able to tonify the Qi without inducing more Heat. It enters the Lung and Kidney Channels to tonify the Kidney and there by restore their ability to grasp the Qi and thus arrest wheezing.
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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 Ren Shen Ge Jie San
Ren Shen strongly tonifies the original Qi , increases the Qi of the Lungs and Spleen, but also slightly moistens, and in this way complements the action of Tokay geckos.
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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 Ren Shen Ge Jie San
Fu Ling benefits the Spleen by draining Dampness. With Liquorice, it focuses on the treatment of Spleen earth. They also treat problems of Lung metal and Kidney water via the generating and controlling relationships of the five phases.
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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 Ren Shen Ge Jie San
Gan Cao harmonizes the actions of the other herbs and assists in tonifying the source Qi. With Poria-cocos mushroom, it focuses on the treatment of Spleen earth. They also treat problems of Lung metal and Kidney water via the generating and controlling relationships of the five phases.
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Sang Bai Pi
Sang Bai Pi

Mulberry bark

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs
Parts Used Dried root bark
Role in Ren Shen Ge Jie San
Sang Bai Pi regulates the Lung Qi and directs Rebellious Qi downward. Mulberry bark and Apricot seed work especially well together when there is Heat in the Lung due to Stagnation.
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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 Ren Shen Ge Jie San
In general Chuan Bei Mu's main actions are as follows: "Clears Hot Phlegm and stops cough. Clears Lung Heat caused by Yin Deficiency. Clears Heat and reduces hard lumps and swellings."

In the context of Ren Shen Ge Jie San, it is used because it clears Heat, moistens the Lungs, removes Stagnation and transforms Phlegm.
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Xing Ren
Xing Ren

Apricot seeds

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Large Intestine, Lungs
Parts Used Dried ripe seeds
Role in Ren Shen Ge Jie San
Xing Ren regulates the Lung Qi and directs Rebellious Qi downward. Mulberry bark and Apricot seed work especially well together when there is Heat in the Lung due to Stagnation.
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Zhi Mu
Zhi Mu

Anemarrhena rhizomes

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Ren Shen Ge Jie San
In general Zhi Mu's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and Fire from the Qi level. Clears Heat and Fire from the Lung and Stomach. Clears Heat and tonifies the Yin."

In the context of Ren Shen Ge Jie San, it is used because it serves the dual purpose of draining Heat from the Lungs and Kidneys without damaging the Yin.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Ren Shen Ge Jie San

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated in cases with any evidence of an externally contracted pathogenic influence

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Ren Shen Ge Jie 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.