Chinese: 八珍益母汤
Pinyin: Bā Zhēn Yì Mǔ Tāng
Other names: Eight Treasure Leonurus Decoction, Eight-Treasure Soup to Benefit Mothers
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that tonify
Mother formula: Ba Zhen Tang
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: InfertilityMenstrual cramps
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
- Invigorates the Blood
Source date: 1624 AD
Source book: Collected Treatises of [Zhang] ling- Yue
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Motherwort Herbs (Yi Mu Cao), Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) and Ginseng (Ren Shen) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 1624 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies Qi and Blood and 2) invigorates the 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 Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Blood and Qi Deficiency with Blood Stagnation or Blood and Qi Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as menstrual cramps or infertility for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the nine ingredients in Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang helps treat.
The nine ingredients in Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang
Yi Mu Cao is a king ingredient in Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Motherwort Herbs (Yi Mu Cao)
In general Yi Mu Cao's main actions are as follows: "Moves and regulates Blood, breaks Stasis and regulates the menses. Increases the flow of urine and reduces Stagnation of water"
In the context of Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang, it is used because it invigorates Blood and stops pain.
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang)
Part used: Prepared dried root tuber
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Shu Di huang's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys."
In the context of Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang, it is used because it nourishes the Blood.
Ren Shen is a king ingredient in Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
3. Ginseng (Ren Shen)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Ren Shen's main actions are as follows: "Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit)."
In the context of Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang, it is used because it is warm in nature and it tonifies Qi.
4. Dong Quai (Dang Gui)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
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 Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang, it is used because it nourishes the Blood and thereby reinforces the action of Prepared rehmannia.
5. Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
Meridian affinity: GallbladderLiverPericardium
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Chuan Xiong's main actions are as follows: "Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches."
In the context of Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang, it is used because it invigorates the Blood and promotes the movement of Qi.
6. White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Bai Shao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain."
In the context of Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang, it is used because it nourishes the Blood and thereby reinforces the action of Prepared rehmannia.
9. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
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 Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang, it is used because it tonifies Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner.
Conditions and patterns for which Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang may be prescribed
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang is used by TCM practitioners to treat two different patterns which we describe below.
But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang treats menstrual cramps" for instance. Rather, Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind menstrual cramps.
Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang.
Qi is one of Chinese Medicine's vital subtances. Learn more about Qi in Chinese Medicine
Blood and Qi Deficiency with Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Symptoms: Poor appetite Weak extremities Abdominal distension Irregular menstruation Red and white vaginal discharge Soreness and weakness in the lower back
Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Blood and Qi Deficiency with Blood Stagnation. This pattern leads to symptoms such as poor appetite, weak extremities, soreness and weakness in the lower back and abdominal distension. Patients with Blood and Qi Deficiency with Blood Stagnation typically exhibit weak (Ruo) pulses as well as a pale tongue.
Learn more about Blood and Qi Deficiency with Blood Stagnation
Qi is one of Chinese Medicine's vital subtances. Learn more about Qi in Chinese Medicine
Blood and Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Pale
Symptoms: Edema Vertigo Fatigue Anxiety Dry skin Tingling Numbness Insomnia Dry hair Dry eyes Pale face Pale lips Hair loss Tiredness Dizziness Sore back Sore knees Depression Low energy Pale tongue Watery milk Poor memory Palpitations Loose stools Poor appetite Scanty periods Blurred vision Pale complexion Pale color periods Shortness of breath Lower abdominal pain Pale menstrual blood Dull menstrual cramps Feeling of bearing down Thin and watery periods Pain relieved with massage Lethargic and withdrawn state Spontaneous flow of breast milk Menstruation decreases gratually No feeling of distension of the breasts Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth
Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Blood and Qi Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as lower abdominal pain, pale complexion, lethargic and withdrawn state and palpitations. Patients with Blood and Qi Deficiency typically exhibit fine (Xi) or weak (Ruo) pulses as well as a pale tongue with partial absence of coating.
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