Chinese: 六君子汤
Pinyin: Liù Jūn Zǐ Tāng
Other names: Six Gentlemen Decoction
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that tonify Qi
Mother formula: Si Jun Zi Tang
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: AnorexiaAcid refluxPeptic ulcers and two other conditions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
- Clears Phlegm and mucus
- Promotes appetite
Source date: 1107
Source book: Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People in the Taiping Era
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.
Liu Jun Zi Tang is a 6-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Ginseng (Ren Shen) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 1107, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Qi. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies Qi and 2) strengthens the Spleen and Stomach.
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 Liu Jun Zi Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Qi Deficiency, Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency or Phlegm. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as vaginal itching, anorexia or peptic ulcers for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the six ingredients in Liu Jun Zi Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Liu Jun Zi Tang helps treat.
The six ingredients in Liu Jun Zi Tang
Ren Shen is a king ingredient in Liu Jun Zi Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Ginseng (Ren Shen)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
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.
Bai Zhu is a deputy ingredient in Liu Jun Zi Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
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 Liu Jun Zi Tang, it is used because it strengthens the Spleen and dries Dampness.
Chen Pi is a deputy ingredient in Liu Jun Zi Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi)
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).
Fu Ling is an assistant ingredient in Liu Jun Zi Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
4. Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
Part used: Dried sclerotium
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLungSpleen
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
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 Liu Jun Zi Tang, it is used because it removes Dampness and assists Ginseng or Codonopsis root in strengthening the Spleen..
Ban Xia is an assistant ingredient in Liu Jun Zi Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
5. Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia)
Part used: Dried rhizome and tuber
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
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 Liu Jun Zi Tang, it is used because it , like Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi), has a drying effect and helps direct the Qi downward.
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Liu Jun Zi Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
6. 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 Liu Jun Zi Tang, it is used because it warms and regulates the Middle Burner and moderates the draining property of Poria-cocos mushrooms.
Conditions and patterns for which Liu Jun Zi 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 Liu Jun Zi Tang is used by TCM practitioners to treat six 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:
Vaginal itching Anorexia Peptic ulcers Chronic gastritis Acid reflux
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Liu Jun Zi Tang treats vaginal itching" for instance. Rather, Liu Jun Zi Tang is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind vaginal itching.
Now let's look at the six patterns commonly treated with Liu Jun Zi Tang.
Qi is one of Chinese Medicine's vital subtances. Learn more about Qi in Chinese Medicine
Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Symptoms: Fatigue Coughing Dizziness Tiredness Weak voice Amenorrhea Weak limbs Cold limbs Low energy Weak knees Empty pulse Listlessness Loose stools Palpitations Poor appetite Spermatorrhea Weak lower back General weakness Prolonged menses Daytime sweating Aversion to speak Frequent urination Pale color periods Shortness of breath Shallow respiration Spontaneous sweating Pale menstrual blood Frequent Colds or Flu Thin and watery periods Pale bright face that is puffy or bloated
Liu Jun Zi Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Qi Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as general weakness, weak voice, fatigue and listlessness. Patients with Qi Deficiency typically exhibit empty (Xu) or weak (Ruo) pulses as well as Pale tongue.
When Qi is Deficient, it typically appears as tiredness or weakness in the body. Since Qi is lacking, it is unable to perform any of its functions. Some of the symptoms for Qi Deficiency also commonly apply for other conditions.
This may apply to any of the different types of Qi, including the Qi... read more about Qi Deficiency
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
Symptoms: Obesity Coughing Tiredness Lassitude Weak Limbs Weak voice Loose stools Poor appetite Pale complexion Aversion to cold Shortness of breath Dislike of speaking Spontaneous sweating Frequent Colds or Flu Slight abdominal distention after eating
Liu Jun Zi Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as poor appetite, slight abdominal distention after eating, tiredness and lassitude. Patients with Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency typically exhibit empty (Xu) pulses.
The Spleen and the Lungs are both involved in the production of Qi. They're respectively the source of Grain Qi and Clean Air which merge together to make Gathering Qi (also called True Qi). As such they have a strong inter dependence and influence over each other.
There is a saying in Chinese... read more about Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
Body Fluids (Jin Ye) is one of Chinese Medicine's vital subtances. Learn more about Body Fluids in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
Symptoms: Lumps Nausea Tumors Oedema Nodules Obesity Fatigue Vertigo Delirium Belching Vomiting Dizziness Moodiness Overweight Bad breath Depression Watery milk Clear mucus Irritability Poor appetite Low metabolism Chest fullness Chest pressure Breast distention Abdominal fullness Sputum in the chest Feeling of heaviness Thick tongue coating Muzziness of the head Numbness in the limbs Thick greasy secretions Feeling of oppression of the chest No feeling of distension of the breasts
Liu Jun Zi Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Phlegm. This pattern leads to symptoms such as feeling of oppression of the chest, muzziness of the head, dizziness and nausea. Patients with Phlegm typically exhibit slippery (Hua) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as swollen tongue with sticky coating .
Phlegm has a great importance in Chinese Medicine as it is both a condition in and of itself as well as a cause for other diseases.
The main cause for the formation of Phlegm is Spleen Deficiency since the Spleen rules the transformation and transportation of Body Fluids. If this function is... read more about Phlegm
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
Tongue color: Pale
Symptoms: Gas Obesity Fatigue Bloating Lassitude Pale face Overweight Weak Limbs Weak voice Loose stools Poor appetite Poor digestion Pale complexion Desire to lie down Swollen complexion Slight abdominal pain Weakness in the limbs Slight abdominal distension after eating
Liu Jun Zi Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Spleen Qi Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as slight abdominal distension after eating, lassitude, desire to lie down and slight abdominal pain. Patients with Spleen Qi Deficiency typically exhibit empty (Xu) pulses as well as Pale or normal tongue with thin white coating. Possible swollen with tooth marks on sides and transverse cracks.
Spleen Qi Deficiency is one of the most commonly seen disharmony. The three most common causes for this pattern are unhealthy diet, emotional stress and mental-excertion as they can largely harm the transformation and transportation function of the Spleen. This pattern gives rise to various... read more about Spleen Qi Deficiency
The Triple Burner is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Triple Burner in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm-Dampness in the Middle-Burner
Symptoms: Nausea Vomiting Focal distention Coughing of copious thin and white sputum Stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium
Liu Jun Zi Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Phlegm-Dampness in the Middle-Burner. This pattern leads to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium and focal distention.
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