Aidus & E-Fong Herbal Solution
Herbal Formula for Strengthening Qi- Si Jun Zi Tang
         
                       
                             Si Jun Zi Tang

SOURCE: He Ji Ju Fang (Formulae of Peaceful Benevolent Dispensary)
INGREDIENTS:
Hong Shen (Ginseng) 12g
Bai Zhu (Bighead atractylodes rhizome) 9g
Fu Ling (Poria) 9g
Zhi Gan Cao (Roasted licorice root) 6g
DIRECTIONS: Decoct all the ingredients in water for oral administration.
EFFECTS: Replenishing qi to invigorate the spleen.
INDICATIONS: Qi deficiency syndrome of the spleen and stomach with symptoms such as yellow complexion, low
and weak voice, lassitude of limbs, poor appetite, loose stool, pale tongue, soft and weak pules.
ANALYSIS OF FORMULA:
This is a basic formula for deficiency of the spleen and stomach. Ren Shen or Hong Shen (Ginseng) with sweet flavor
and warm property effects on the spleen and lung meridians, invigorating primordial qi and is the principal herb in this
formula. Bai Zhu (Bighead atractylodes rhizome) as an assistant herb with sweet and bitter flavor and warm property
strengthens the spleen to dry dampness and invigorates the stomach to harmonize the middle. Fu Ling (Poria) with sweat
flavor, excretes damp and strengthens the spleen. It assists Bai Zhu (bighead atractylodes rhizome) in invigorating the
spleen function to remove dampness and is an adjuvant herb. Zhi Gan Cao (Roasted licorice root) with sweet flavor and
warm property, replenishes qi and is used as a guiding herb to harmonize all herbs in the formula.
This formula is indicated to chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcer that are ascribable to qi deficiency of the spleen
and stomach.

ASSOCIATED FORMULAE:

(1) Yi Gong San (Marvelous Effect Powder)
SOURCE: Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue (Paediatric Therapeutics).
It is composed of Si Jun Zi Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) plus Chen Pi (tangerine peel powder) 9g.
Take 6 grams each time. The powder with fresh ginger 5 pieces and two Da Zao (Chinese dates) are decocted in water
for oral administration. It has effects of strengthening the spleen, replenishing qi and harmonizing the stomach, and is
used for deficiency of the spleen and stomach with symptoms such as poor appetite, stuffy chest,vomiting and diarrhea.

(2) Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction )
SOURCE: Fu Ren Liang Fang (Effective Formulae for Women).
It is composed of Four Gentlemen Decoction plus Chen Pi (tangerine peel) 9g and Zhi Ban Xia (pinellia tuber) 12g. All
the ingredients should be decocted in water for oral administration. Its effect is to strengthen the spleen and to stop
vomiting. It is used for qi deficiency of the spleen and stomach accompanied by symptoms of phlegm and damp, clinical
manifestations are poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, stuffy chest and abdomen, loose stool or cough with profuse, white
sputum, etc.

(3) Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang (Aucklandia and Amomum Six Gentlemen Decoc:tion)
SOURCE:  Yi Fang Ji Jie (Collection of Formulae with Notes).
Xiang Fu (Nutgrass flats edge rhizome)( At present, Mu Xiang - aucklandia root  6g is commonly used
in place of Xiang Fu (nutgrass flatsedge rhizome) and Sha Ren (Amomum fruit) 6g are added to Liu Jun Zi Tang (six
Gentlemen Decoction), it is then called Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang ( Aucklandia and Amomun Six Gentlemen
Decoction). It is decocted in water for oral administration. Its effects are to strengthen the spleen, harmonize the
stomach, regulate qi and alleviate pain. It is applied for qi deficiency of the spleen and stomach due to cold dampness
coagulating in the middle with symptoms, such as poor appetite, belching, distention of pain of the abdomen, vomi ting
and diarrhea, etc.

Note: Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) is the basic formula to repenish the spleen and stomach. Formulae
mentioned above stem from it. Combination of Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) and Chen Pi (tangerine
peel) is called Yi Gong Sang (Marvelous Effect Powder), which is used most commonly in regulating qi and invigorating
the spleen. WhenPinellia tuber is added to it, it is named Six Gentlemen Decoction, which stresses on drying dampness
and resolving phlegm. Liu Jun Zi Tang ( Six Gentlemen Decoction) plus Mu Xiang (aucklandia root) and Sha Ren
(amomum fruit)  is known as Xiangsha Liu Jun Zi Tang , and the effects of regulating qi and awakening the spleen
becomes stronger.