Formula Formulas that tonify Yin and Yang

Shi Quan Da Bu Tang

十全大补汤

Also known as:

All-Inclusive Great Tonifying Decoction

Formula Composition

Huang Qi
Huang Qi
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Ren Shen
Ren Shen
Gan Cao
Gan Cao
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang
Chuan Xiong
Chuan Xiong
Bai Shao
Bai Shao
Rou Gui
Rou Gui
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King
Main ingredient
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Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Warms and tonifies Qi
  2. Warms and tonifies Blood

Patterns Treated

Qi and Blood Deficiency, Kidney-Deficiency

Historical Origin

Transmitted Trustworthy and Suitable Formulas (1180 AD)

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Shi Quan Da Bu Tang

Main Actions

Warms and tonifies Qi
Warms and tonifies Blood

Key TCM Concepts

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

 

Invented in 1180 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Yin and Yang. Its main actions are: 1) warms and tonifies Qi and 2) warms and tonifies 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 Shi Quan Da Bu Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Qi and Blood Deficiency or Kidney-Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as absence of menstruation, scanty menstruation or anemia for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Qi and Blood Deficiency
  • Kidney-Deficiency

Common Applications

Absence of menstruation Scanty menstruation Anemia Nervous exhaustion Chronic urticaria Nonhealing ulcers

Ingredients in Shi Quan Da Bu Tang

Detailed information about each herb in Shi Quan Da Bu Tang and their roles

Kings
Huang Qi
Huang Qi

Milkvetch roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Shi Quan Da Bu Tang
Huang Qi is sweet and warm. It is considered one of the top Qi tonifying herbs in TCM. It is entirely Yang in nature and it strongly stimulates the Qi dynamic. It raises the Yang and disperses Blood and Essence throughout the entire body.
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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 Shi Quan Da Bu 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 Shi Quan Da Bu Tang, it is used because it strengthens the Spleen and dries Dampness.
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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 Shi Quan Da Bu 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 Shi Quan Da Bu Tang, it is used because it removes Dampness and assists Ginseng and Codonopsis root in strengthening the Spleen..
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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 Shi Quan Da Bu 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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Gan Cao
Gan Cao

Liquorice

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root and rhizome
Role in Shi Quan Da Bu 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 Shi Quan Da Bu 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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Dang Gui
Dang Gui

Dong quai

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Shi Quan Da Bu 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 Shi Quan Da Bu Tang, it is used because it enters the Liver and Heart to tonify and invigorate the Blood.
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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 Shi Quan Da Bu Tang
Shu Di huang has a very strong tonifying effect on the Liver and Kidneys and is said to nourish the Yin of the Blood.
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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 Shi Quan Da Bu Tang
Chuan Xiong facilitates the flow of Blood through the vessels, alleviating symptoms such as headache, dizziness, blurred vision and pain.
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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 Shi Quan Da Bu Tang
Bai Shao helps reduce the muscle spasms caused by Blood-Deficiency and it is particularly well-suited to treat abdominal pain. Together with Prepared rehmannia (Shu Di huang), it has a strong tonifying effect on the Blood.
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Rou Gui
Rou Gui

Cinnamon bark

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried stem bark
Role in Shi Quan Da Bu Tang
Rou Gui is acrid and hot. It tonifies the Fire of Gate to assist the Yang. Its warmth enters the Blood to open the vessels and facilitate the Blood movement. It also stimulates the Qi dynamic and transformation throughout the whole body.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Shi Quan Da Bu Tang

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated for symptoms with a thick tongue coating or a strong and forceful pulse.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Shi Quan Da Bu 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.