Aidus & E-Fong Herbal Solution
Herbal Formula for Regulating Qi
                                         
                                   Chapter 11

  Herbal Formula  for Regulating Qi


This group of formulae is mainly composed of herbs for regulating qi, having the effects of activating qi and lowering the
adverse flow of qi.
Qi is the vital material basis for life activities and circulates the whole body, with ascending, descending, exiting and
entering motions so that normal functional activities of five zang organ and six fu organ  are maintained. Simultaneously,
generation and circulation of qi have to depend on normal function of the viscera. Over-stress, emotional disturbance,
improper diet or abnormal cold and heat may affect function of the viscera and lead to dysfunction of ascending and
descending motions, resulting in different disorders of qi. In brief, they are not beyond the scope of qi deficiency, qi
stagnation and reversed flow of qi. Among them, treatment of qi deficiency has been discussed in the tonic formulae.
Chapter 74 in Su Wen (Plain Questions) states: "Disorders due to over-relaxation should be treated with activating
herbs", "Stagnation syndrome should be treated with dispersive herbs" and" Syndrome due to upward flow of perverse
qi should be treated with herbs for lowering qi" . According to these principles, method of regulating qi should be used
to treat qi disorders caused by the stagnation and the reversed flow of qi. This type of formulae can be divided into two
kinds: the formulae for activating qi and the formulae for lowering reversed flow of qi.
In clinical practice, it is important to distinguish excess syndrome and deficiency syndrome. For examples, excess
syndrome due to qi stagnation need to be treated with activating qi, and it may be aggravated by tonifying qi. Deficiency
syndrome need to be treated with tonifying qi, and it may be worsened by activa- ting qi. However, if qi stagnation is
complicated with qi deficiency, tonifying qi  herbs can be added to formulae for activating qi in order to readjusting both
deficiency and excess. In addition, regulating qi  herbs are usually pungent and warm, and are apt to cause consumption
of qi and body fluids, a moderate dosage of herbs should be prescribed, never over-dosage. Therefore these herbs
should be used cautiously for syndromes with deficiency of qi or deficiency of yin and pregnant women.