Formula Formulas that tonify Qi

Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang

升阳益胃汤

Also known as:

Raise the Yang and Augment the Stomach Decoction

Formula Composition

Huang Qi
Huang Qi
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
Ban Xia
Ban Xia
Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Du Huo
Du Huo
Fang Feng
Fang Feng
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Qiang Huo
Qiang Huo
Chen Pi
Chen Pi
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Chai Hu
Chai Hu
Ze Xie
Ze Xie
Huang Lian
Huang Lian
Sheng Jiang
Sheng Jiang
Da Zao
Da Zao
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoys
Directs formula

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Strengthens the Spleen
  2. Augments the Qi
  3. Raises the Yang
  4. Releases Dampness

Patterns Treated

Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency, Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen

Historical Origin

Clarifying Doubts about Injury from Internal and External Causes (1247 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang

Main Actions

Strengthens the Spleen
Augments the Qi
Raises the Yang
Releases Dampness

Key TCM Concepts

Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang is a 16-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1247 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Qi. Its main actions are: 1) strengthens the Spleen and 2) augments the Qi.

 

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 Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency or Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as atrophic gastritis, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease or periodontal disease for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency
  • Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen

Common Applications

Atrophic gastritis Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease Periodontal disease Urticaria Chronic inflammatory bowel disease Chronic cholecystitis Fever of unknown origin

Ingredients in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Sheng Yang Yi Wei 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 Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang
Huang Qi tonifies both the Spleen and Lung Qi to treat both the root and branch of Qi Deficiency. Because the Lung are responsible for directing water downward into the Bladder, they play an important role in removing Dampness from the body. Strengthening the Lung Qi will thus not only stabilize the Exterior, but also actively eliminate the pathogenic Dampness.
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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 Sheng Yang Yi Wei 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 Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang, it is used because it warms and regulates the Middle Burner and moderates the draining property of Poria-cocos mushrooms.
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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 Sheng Yang Yi Wei 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 Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang, it is used because it strengthens the Spleen and dries Dampness.
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Ban Xia
Ban Xia

Crow-dipper rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome and tuber
Role in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang
In general Ban Xia's main actions are as follows: "Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention."

In the context of Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang, it is used because it , like Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi), has a drying effect and helps direct the Qi downward.
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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 Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang
Ren Shen is a a powerful tonic for the Spleen Qi. Today however it is often substituted for Codonopsis root (Dang Shen), which plays a similar role and is significantly less expensive.
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Du Huo
Du Huo

Pubescent angelica roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang
Du Huo is acrid and dispersing in nature. It is a Wind dispersing herb that promote Yang Qi circulation. When used together with Milkvetch root, Ginseng, Atractylodes rhizome, it also strengthen the ascending movement of Qi, allowing it to move from below to above without Stagnation.
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Fang Feng
Fang Feng

Saposhnikovia roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang
Fang Feng is acrid and dispersing in nature. It is a Wind dispersing herb that promote Yang Qi circulation. When used together with Milkvetch root, Ginseng, Atractylodes rhizome, it also strengthen the ascending movement of Qi, allowing it to move from below to above without Stagnation.
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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 Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang
Bai Shao nourishes and cools the Blood to remove Heat from a deeper part of the physiological function. It also balances the warming, drying, and dispersing nature of the Wind-dispersing herbs in the formula.
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Qiang Huo
Qiang Huo

Notopterygium roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried rhizome and root
Role in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang
Qiang Huo is acrid and dispersing in nature. It is a Wind dispersing herb that promote Yang Qi circulation. When used together with Milkvetch root, Ginseng, Atractylodes rhizome, it also strengthen the ascending movement of Qi, allowing it to move from below to above without Stagnation.
View herb details
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 Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang
Chen Pi is a drying herb that directs the Qi downward and helps remove obstruction in the Middle Burner by Phlegm-Dampness. This is characterized by Rebellious Qi of the Stomach and Lungs with symptoms like nausea, vomiting (for the stomach part) and coughing sputum (for the 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 Sheng Yang Yi Wei 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 Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang, it is used because it removes Dampness and assists Ginseng or Codonopsis root in strengthening the Spleen.
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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 Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang
Chai Hu is acrid and dispersing in nature. It is a Wind dispersing herb that promote Yang Qi circulation. When used together with Milkvetch root, Ginseng, Atractylodes rhizome, it also strengthen the ascending movement of Qi, allowing it to move from below to above without Stagnation.
View herb details
Ze Xie
Ze Xie

Water plantain

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried tuber
Role in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang
Ze Xie drains Dampness and Heat from the Lower Burner. This facilitates the ascent of clear Yang, so as to treat dizziness and tinnitus caused by the accumulation of Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner.
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Huang Lian
Huang Lian

Goldthread rhizomes

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Gallbladder, Heart, Large Intestine, Liver, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang
Huang Lian is bitter and strongly cooling in nature. It drains Damp-Heat which causes Qi Stagnation. With White peony root, it also balances the warming, drying, and dispersing nature of the Wind-dispersing herbs in the 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 Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang
Sheng Jiang regulates the Protective and Nutritive Qi by gently supporting the transportive and transformative functions of the Middle Burner. Together with Liquorice, it also moderates the diverse functions of the many different herbs in this formula.
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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 Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang
Da Zao regulates the Protective and Nutritive Qi by gently supporting the transportive and transformative functions of the Middle Burner. Together with Liquorice, it also moderates the diverse functions of the many different herbs in this formula.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang

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

Contraindications

Although this formula treats Damp-Heat disorders, its focus is mainly on tonifying the Qi of the Middle Burner. It is therefore contraindicated in patterns characterized by Dampness in the absence of Deficiency of the Middle Burner. In fact, the source text specifically instructs to remove the draining herbs such as Poria and Water plantain unless their inclusion is indicated by symptoms reflecting obstruction of the Lower Burner Qi dynamic, such as painful urinary dribbling.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Sheng Yang Yi Wei 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.