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Source: Hé Jì Jú Fāng 和剂局方

Alternate Chinese names: 健脾益气汤

Ingredients:

• Rén shēn (人参 Ginseng Radix, ginseng) (or Dǎng shēn (党参 Codonopsis Radix, codonopsis [root])) 9g
• Bái zhú (白朮 Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, white atractylodes [root]) 9g
• Fú líng (茯苓 Poria , poria) 9g
• Gān cǎo (甘草 Glycyrrhizae Radix, licorice [root]) (mix–fried) 3g

Action: Fortifies the spleen and boosts qì.

Indication: Spleen qì vacuity with withered-yellow facial complexion, faint low voice, lack of strength in the limbs, reduced eating, and thin sloppy stool. Tongue: Soft with thin white fur. Pulse: Soggy and forceless.

Category: Supplementing formulas / Qì-supplementing formulas

Method: Decoct with water.

Rationale: Rén shēn supplements original qì, supports the center, and nourishes the stomach. Bái zhú fortifies the spleen and dries dampness and ensures healthy splenic movement and transformation. These two are the sovereign agents. Fú líng percolates dampness and supports the spleen-fortifying action of Bái zhú. Gān cǎo harmonizes the stomach and assists Rén shēn in boosting qì. Thus, the formula as a whole fortifies the spleen and boosts qì, so it can be used for any spleen vacuity and qì vacuity patterns.

Variations:

• Spleen-stomach qì vacuity: Add Huáng qí (黄芪 Astragali Radix, astragalus [root]) and Shān yào (山药 Dioscoreae Rhizoma, dioscorea [root]).
• Pronounced thin sloppy stool diarrhea: Yì yǐ rén (薏苡仁 Coicis Semen, coix [seed]) and Tōng cǎo (通草 Tetrapanacis Medulla, rice-paper plant pith).
• Qì vacuity constipation: Add Dāng guī (当归 Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Chinese angelica) and Huǒ má rén (火麻仁 Cannabis Fructus, cannabis fruit).
• Retching of acid fluid due to vacuity heat or nontransformation of grain and water: Add Pào jiāng (炮姜 Zingiberis Rhizoma Praeparatum, blast-fried ginger) and Zhè bèi mǔ (浙贝母 Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus, Zhèjiāng fritillaria [bulb]).
• Spleen vacuity with exuberant damp causing menstrual irregularities: Add Dāng guī (当归 Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Chinese angelica), Bái sháo (白芍 Paeoniae Radix Alba, white peony [root]), Chén pí (陈皮 Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, tangerine peel), and Bàn xià (半夏 Pinelliae Rhizoma, pinellia [rhizome]).
• Spleen vacuity vacuity with exuberant dampness causing vaginal discharge: Add Jī guān huā (鸡冠花 Celosiae Cristatae Flos, cockscomb [flower]), Qiàn shí (芡实 Euryales Semen, euryale [seed]), and Chūn pí (椿皮 Ailanthi Cortex, ailanthus bark).

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