TONIFY QI

A comparison of Herbs

Formula Writing Fall 2011 Sophia Chan Sarah Wong Jack Huang Chian Chii Kuo

Ren Shen
(Ginseng Root) _____________________________

Temperature:
Slightly Warm Sweet Slightly Bitter SP, LU 3-9g (raw) 0.5-1g (powder) Presence of external pathogen Steaming bone disorder Bleeding due to heat in blood Liver-yang rising Fire from constraint Avoid high doses with consumption of caffeine or other stimulants

Taste:

Channels:

Dosage:

Cautions/Contraindications:

Ren Shen ()
1. Powerfully tonify the Primal Qi
Extreme collapse of the Qi or abandoned condition (shallow breathing, shortness of breath, cold limbs, profuse sweating, weak pulse After loss of blood, overly profuse sweating, or severe fluid loss Added to formulas in which tonification of the primal Qi would benefit the resolution of the condition
(+) Fu Zi [Shen Fu Tang] = restore the yang and rescue qi from collapse due to devastated yang (profuse sweating, ice-cold extremities, dyspnea)

(+) Mai Men Dong, Wu Wei Zi [Sheng Mai San] = augment the qi and preserve the yin (shortness of breath and spontaneous sweating)

Ren Shen ()
2. Strengthen the Spleen and Tonify the Stomach
Lethargy, lack of appetite, chest and abdominal distention, diarrhea Prolapse of stomach, uterus, or rectum
(+) Huang Qi, Chai Hu [Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang] = qi deficiency with prolapse due to sinking of clear yang (+) Bai Zhu, Fu Ling [Shen Ling Bai Zhu San] = Spleen and Stomach qi deficiency (fatigue, anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting, focal abdominal distention)

Ren Shen ()
3. Tonify the Lungs and Augment the Qi
Lung Qi deficiency (wheezing, shortness of breath, labored breathing especially with exertion) Often with concurrent Kidney failing to grasp Qi (+) Ge Jie, He Tao Ren [Ren Shen Ge Jie San] = wheezing due to Lung deficiency and Kidney deficiency with inability to grasp qi (wheezing, shortness of breath)

Ren Shen ()
4. Benefit the Heart Qi and Calm the spirit
Qi and Blood deficiency (palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, forgetfulness, restlessness)
(+) Dang Gui, Long Yan Rou, Yuan Zhi [Gui Pi Tang] = Heart blood and Spleen qi deficiency (palpitations, shortness of breath, reduced appetite, insomnia)

Ren Shen ()
5. Generate Fluids and Stop Thirst
Wasting and thirsting disorders Injured Qi and fluids due to high fever and profuse sweating Assist and promote the Qi for fluid distribution
(+) Shi Gao, Zhi Mu [Bai Hu Jia Ren Shen Tang] = heat injuring qi and fluids (fever, irritability, intense thirst, profuse sweating)

Xi Yang Shen
(American Ginseng Root) _____________________________

Temperature:
Cold Sweet Slightly Bitter HT, KD, LU 3-6g Cold-damp obstructing the middle burner Fire from constraint

Taste:

Channels:

Dosage:
Cautions/Contraindications:

Xi Yang Shen ()
1. Benefit the Qi, generate fluids, nourish the yin
Yin deficiency (empty-heat signs, chronic fever) Aftermath of warm-febrile disease (weakness, irritability, thirst)
(+) Mai Men Dong, E Jiao, Zhi Mu, Bei Mu = qi and yin deficiency due to chronic illness (+) Huang Qi, Shan Yao, Tian Hua Fen = qi and yin deficiency with thirst (+) Shan Yao, Sheng Di Huang, Shi Gao, Zhi Mu = wasting & thirsting disorder (diabetes) (+) Shi Hu, Mai Men Dong, Zhi Mu [Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang] = aftermath of warm-heat pathogen disease (high fever, thirst, diarrhea, dehydration)

Xi Yang Shen ()
2. Nurture the Lung yin and clear fire from Lungs
Lung Qi and Yin deficiency with depleted fluids and blazing fire from deficiency (impaired clearing and dispersing functions of the Lungs) Long-term wheezing and coughing up blood-streaked sputum Lung Yin deficiency (chronic cough, coughing up blood, loss of voice)
(+) Sheng Di Huang, E Jiao, Xuan Shen = qi and yin depletion with deficient fire marked by chronic hacking cough that is unproductive or blood-streaked (+) Sang Ye, Xing Ren, Pi Pa Ye = dryness and heat injuring the Lung yin with dry throat and coughing up blood

Huang Qi
(Astragalus Root) _____________________________

Temperature:
Slightly Warm Sweet LU, SP

Taste:
Channels: Dosage:

9-15g
Early stage of sores Significant heat toxin present after sores have ulcerated

Cautions/Contraindications:

Huang Qi ()
1. Tonify the Spleen and raise the Yang
Spleen deficiency (lack of appetite, fatigue, diarrhea) Spleen qi unable to hold (prolapse, bleeding) Lung and Spleen qi deficiency, qi and blood deficiency
(+) Sheng Ma, Chai Hu [Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang] = weak and sunken Spleen qi (rectal or uterine prolapse, excessive uterine bleeding)

Huang Qi ()
2. Augment the protective Qi and Stabilize the Exterior
Qi deficiency with spontaneous sweating Lung qi deficiency (frequent colds, shortness of breath) Excess sweating due to Qi, Yang, or Yin deficiency
(+) Fang Feng, Bai Zhu [Yu Ping Feng San] = Lung and wei qi deficiency with propensity to catch colds, spontaneous sweating (+) Mai Men Dong, Wu Wei Zi = nightsweats (+) Sheng Di Huang, Huang Bai = nightsweats due to yin deficiency

Huang Qi ()
3. Tonify the Qi and Blood
Postpartum fever due to Qi and Blood deficiency Recovery stage from severe loss of blood
(+) Long Yan Rou, Dang Gui, Suan Zao Ren [Gui Pi Tang] = Qi and Blood deficiency (insomnia, poor appetite, palipitations) (+) Dang Gui [Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang] = qi and blood deficiency, fatigue, thirst, irritability, blood deficiency due to severe bleeding

Huang Qi ()
4. Promote the discharge of pus and Generate flesh
Chronic ulcerations and sores due to deficiency that have trouble forming pus, or have formed pus but are not draining or healing well
(+) Dang Gui, Rou Gui [Shi Quan Da Bu Tang] = flat sores that do not pustulate or non-healing ulcers

5. Promote urination and Reduce edema

Edema due to deficiency Superficial edema with scanty urination Stand alone herb

Gan Cao
(Licorice Root) _____________________________

Gan Cao

Temperature:
Neutral (unprepared) Warm (dry-fried) Sweet All 12 channels Primarily HT, LU, SP, ST 1.5-9g Distension and fullness of the chest and abdomen Vomiting from overabundant of dampness

Taste: Channels:

Zhi Gan Cao

Dosage: Cautions/Contraindications:

Gan Cao ()
1. Tonify the Spleen and augment the Qi
Spleen deficiency (fatigue, poor appetite, loose stools) Qi or Blood deficiency (irregular or intermittent pulse, palpitations) Zang Zao (restless organ disorder, insomnia, emotional instability)
(+) Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling [Si Jun Zi Tang] = strengthen the Spleen and augment qi (+) Ren Shen, Sheng Di Huang, E Jiao, Gui Zhi [Zhi Gan Cao Tang] = palpitations with irregular or intermittent pulse (+) Da Zao, Xiao Mai [Gan Mai Da Zao Tang] = Zang Zao disorder

Gan Cao ()
2. Moisten the Lungs and Stop cough
Coughing and wheezing Hot or cold condition (neutral herb) Productive or non-productive cough
(+) Shi Gao, Xing Ren [Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang] = coughing due to Lung-heat (+) Ma Huang, Xing Ren [San Ao Tang] = coughing due to wind-cold invasion to Lungs

Gan Cao ()
3. Moderate spasms and alleviate pain
Painful spasms of abdomen or legs
(+) Bai Shao [Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang] = calm Liver, tonify Spleen, supplement qi and blood, harmonize Liver and Spleen, soothe sinews, stop pain (+) Chi Hu, Dang Gui [Xiao Yao San] = hypochondriac pain due to Liver qi constraint

4. Antidote for variety of toxic substances

Poisoning due to food, herbs, herbicides, pesticides, drugs, heavy metals

5. Moderate and Harmonize properties of other herbs

Envoy in formulas to harmonize and moderate other ingredients

Ren Shen vs. Dang Shen

Ren Shen ()
Sweet

Dang Shen ()
Sweet

Slightly Warm, Slightly Bitter

LU, SP 3-9g 1. Powerfully tonify Primal Qi 2. Strengthen the Spleen and tonify the Stomach 3. Tonify the Lungs and augment Qi 4. Generate fluids and stop thirst

Neutral
LU, SP 6-9g 1. Tonify the middle burner and augment Qi

2. Tonify the Lungs 3. Used with Release the Exterior or Drain Downward herbs during significant Qi deficiency

5. Benefit the Heart Qi and calm the spirit

6. Adjunct in which tonification of primal Qi will benefit resolution of condition

Ren Shen vs. Xi Yang Shen

Ren Shen ()
Sweet

Xi Yang Shen ()
Sweet, Slightly Bitter

Slightly Warm, Slightly Bitter

LU, SP 3-9g 1. Powerfully tonify Primal Qi 2. Strengthen the Spleen and tonify the Stomach 3. Tonify the Lungs and augment Qi 4. Generate fluids and stop thirst

Cold
LU, HT, KD 3-6g 1. Benefit the Qi, generate fluids, nourish the yin

2. Nurture the Lung yin and clear fire from the Lungs

5. Benefit the Heart Qi and calm the spirit

6. Adjunct in which tonification of primal Qi will benefit resolution of condition

Ren Shen vs. Huang Qi

Ren Shen ()
Sweet

Huang Qi ()
Sweet

Slightly Warm, Slightly Bitter

LU, SP 3-9g 1. Powerfully tonify Primal Qi 2. Strengthen the Spleen and tonify the Stomach 3. Tonify the Lungs and augment Qi 4. Generate fluids and stop thirst

Slightly Warm
LU, SP 9-15g 1. Tonify the Qi and Blood

2. Tonify the Spleen and raise the Yang 3. Augment the protective Qi and stabilize the exterior 4. Promote urination and reduce edema

5. Benefit the Heart Qi and calm the spirit

6. Adjunct in which tonification of primal Qi will benefit resolution of condition

5. Promote the discharge of pus and generate flesh

Gan Cao vs. Zhi Gan Cao

Gan Cao ()
Sweet

Zhi Gan Cao ()

Sweet

Neutral
All Channels (HT, LU, SP, ST) 1.5-9g 1. Tonify the Spleen and augment the Qi 2. Moisten the Lungs and stop cough 3. Moderate spasms and alleviate pain 4. Clear heat and resolve toxicity 5. Antidote for toxic substances

Warm
All Channels (HT, LU, SP, ST) 1.5-9g 1. Stronger effect to tonify Spleen and benefit the qi

2. Stronger for moistening the Lungs and stopping cough

6. Moderate and harmonize properties of the other herbs

References
Bensky D, Clavey S, & Stoger E. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica. 3rd Edition (2004). Eastland Press Inc. Seattle, WA. Chen JK & Chen TT. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. (2004). Art of Medicine Press Inc. City of Industry, CA. Sionneau P. Translated by Bernard Cote. Dui Yao The Art of Combining Chinese Medicinals. (1997). Blue Poppy Press. Boulder, CO.