Astragalus Center-Fortifying Decoction

Source: Jīn Guì Yào Lüè 金匮要略

Ingredients

Actions: Warms the center and supplements vacuity; relieves pain and tension; harmonizes yīn and yáng; regulates provisioning and defense

Indications: Vacuity taxation with periodic abdominal pain relieved by warmth and pressure, and signs of yīn and yáng vacuity such as spontaneous sweating, scantness of breath and laziness to speak, and bright white facial complexion. Tongue: Pale and enlarged with white fur. Pulse: Large and vacuous.

Category: Interior-warming formulas / Center-warming cold-dispersing formulas

Method: Decoct with water.

Rationale: This formula is formed by adding Huáng qí to Xiǎo jiàn zhōng tāng (小建中汤 Minor Center-Fortifying Decoction), which is designed to warm the center and supplement vacuity, and to relieve pain or tension. This variant is used to treat vacuity taxation arising from insufficiency of yīn and yáng (principally spleen yáng vacuity). In the formula, Huáng qí, which is sweet and warm, boosts qì, and with Guì zhī and Jiāo yí (Mài yá) warms spleen yáng, and with Shēng jiāng and Dà zǎo stimulates spleen yáng to produce qì and blood, thus boosting the source of engendering transformation. Huáng qí together with Bái sháo and Zhì gān cǎo boosts qì and harmonizes yīn, secures the exterior and checks sweating.

Notes: This is variant of Xiǎo jiàn zhōng tāng (小建中汤 Minor Center-Fortifying Decoction).