Chinese: 人参滋血汤
Pinyin: Rén Shēn Zī Xiě Tāng
Other names: Ginseng Growing Blood Decoction
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that tonify Blood
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: Scanty menstruation
Main actions: Tonifies Blood
Source date: 1602 AD
Source book: Indispensable Tools for Pattern Treatment
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.
Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Ginseng (Ren Shen) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 1602 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Blood. Its main action is that it 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 Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Blood Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as scanty menstruation for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the seven ingredients in Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang helps treat.
The seven ingredients in Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang
Ren Shen is a king ingredient in Ren Shen Zi Xie 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
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 Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang, it is used because it tonifies Qi in order to nourish Blood.
2. Yam (Shan Yao)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLungSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Shan Yao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing."
In the context of Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang, it is used because it tonifies Qi in order to nourish Blood.
3. 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 Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang, it is used because it tonifies Qi in order to nourish Blood.
4. 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 Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang, it is used because it nourishes Blood.
5. 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 Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang, it is used because it nourishes Blood.
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 Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang, it is used because it nourishes Blood.
7. 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 Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang, it is used because it invigorates Blood.
Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang is used to treat Blood Deficiency
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 Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang is mostly used to treat the pattern "Blood Deficiency" which we describe below.
But before we delve into Blood Deficiency it is worth mentioning that it is often associated with the condition "scanty menstruation". Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang treats scanty menstruation". Rather, Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang is used to treat Blood Deficiency, which is sometimes the root cause behind scanty menstruation.
Now let's look at Blood Deficiency, a pattern that TCM practitioners commonly treat with Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang.
Blood (Xue) is one of Chinese Medicine's vital subtances. Learn more about Blood in Chinese Medicine
Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
Symptoms: Insomnia Tingling Dry skin Dry hair Dry lips Dizziness Pale lips Thin body Pale face Amenorrhea Depression Poor memory Late period Palpitations Scanty periods Blurred vision Pale complexion Slightly anxiety Tingling of limbs Pale menstrual blood Lower abdominal pain Numbness in the limbs Dull white shallow face Feeling of bearing down Withered and brittle nails
Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Blood Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as dizziness, scanty periods, amenorrhea and dull white shallow face. Patients with Blood Deficiency typically exhibit choppy (Se) or fine (Xi) pulses as well as Pale, thin and slightly tongue .
A Deficiency of Blood occurs when their entire body, a part of body or a particular Organ is insufficiently nourished by Blood. This can be caused by a loss of blood, insufficient Spleen Qi to produce Blood or congealed Blood which prevents new Blood from forming.
The Organs most likely to be... read more about Blood Deficiency
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