Copyright Statement
The materials in this article are sourced from: 【True Material Food Therapy】 WeChat Public Account
The article only represents the author's views. If there are any copyright issues, please contact us, and we will promptly apologize/delete it.
When we consult a TCM doctor, regardless of their expertise, we often see prescriptions containing herbs such as Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Ren Shen (Ginseng), Huang Qi (Astragalus), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), and Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes). Are these herbs as commonly used as regular cold medications? Yes, they are even more commonly used and are very effective because they share a common function: they tonify Qi.
Years ago, a TCM teacher taught me that when you are tired, you can tonify Qi; if you feel weak when speaking, you can tonify Qi; if you have night sweats, you can tonify Qi; if you have insomnia, you can tonify Qi; if you feel palpitations and shortness of breath, you can tonify Qi. Even in treating gynecological issues, such as early menstruation, heavy or light flow, postpartum issues, and breast lumps, tonifying Qi can be beneficial.
He could prescribe Huang Qi at 60 grams, Shan Yao at 50 grams, and Dang Shen at 40 grams. He did not increase the dosage to make more money, but rather to ensure a potent effect with fewer herbs. His prescriptions typically did not exceed ten herbs, yet patients flocked to him.
Everyone knows that TCM has the Four Great Masters of the Jin-Yuan period, including Li Dongyuan’s Earth-Tonifying School, Zhu Danxi’s Yin-Nourishing School, Liu Yuansu’s Cold-Cooling School, and Zhang Congzheng’s Attack-Downward School. I referred to this teacher as the “Qi Tonifying School,” and after many years of clinical practice, I have greatly benefited from his methods of tonifying Qi.
Western medicine does not have the concept of tonifying Qi; it only uses medications like albumin and thymosin to enhance immunity. In fact, this is somewhat similar to tonifying Qi. If we are not exhausted and depleting our Qi, we would not suffer from insomnia, palpitations, or shortness of breath, nor would we be prone to heart disease.
Without the solidification of Qi, menstruation will come early and the flow will increase. Without Qi, how can blood be generated? How can menstruation be delayed or the flow be reduced?
Women in the postpartum period, due to childbirth, experience significant Qi depletion, which can lead to prolonged lochia and delayed uterine recovery. Breast milk is also a product of Qi and blood; those with Qi deficiency may experience insufficient milk production or even overproduction. There are countless examples like this.
Qi tonifying herbs include those that tonify Heart Qi, Lung Qi, Spleen Qi, Kidney Qi, and Yuan Qi.
Experienced doctors have unique characteristics when using Chinese herbs; a single herb cannot tonify all organ Qi. For example, patients with high fever, undergoing surgery, giving birth, or those who have taken antibiotics for a long time or undergone chemotherapy have severely depleted Yuan Qi and Kidney Qi. In such cases, Ren Shen can be used to greatly tonify Yuan Qi. You can take Ren Shen lozenges or brew Ren Shen tea, which can help the body recover quickly. However, when using Ren Shen, it is advisable to drink plenty of water to enhance absorption and prevent overheating. Typically, when using Ren Shen to tonify the body, if symptoms like mouth ulcers, dry stools, burning urination, or even tonsillitis or nosebleeds occur, it indicates excessive tonification, and the medication should be stopped.
To tonify Spleen Qi, it is primarily about regulating and enhancing the body’s digestion and absorption. Why do some people have normal bowel movements once a day, while others may have three to four times a day, often with loose stools? In TCM, this is referred to as diarrhea. Such individuals often do not have a good appetite, which we commonly refer to as gastritis or superficial gastritis. Some may also experience gastric prolapse, rectal prolapse, or uterine prolapse, all of which indicate Spleen Qi deficiency. The herbs specifically used to tonify Spleen Qi include Bai Zhu and Shan Yao, which help enhance Spleen Qi. If the tongue coating is thick, some Bai Bian Dou (Lima Bean) can be added to both tonify Spleen Qi and eliminate dampness.
Coughing and wheezing are currently the most common symptoms, which undoubtedly damage Lung Qi, leading to Lung Qi deficiency. Those suffering from cough and wheezing are familiar with Gan Cao (Licorice). We know that Gan Cao can stop coughs, but we only know part of its benefits. The main function of Gan Cao is to tonify Lung Qi, and it specifically targets Lung Qi deficiency. Single herb Gan Cao is much easier to swallow than decocted herbal soups; we can brew Gan Cao tea, which not only stops coughs and relieves wheezing but also emphasizes the importance of tonifying Lung Qi.
In life, it is inevitable to work overtime and become fatigued. Initially, you may feel your heart racing, but if it worsens, it can lead to palpitations and shortness of breath, which are signs of Heart Qi deficiency in the early stages of heart disease. In such cases, Xi Yang Shen (American Ginseng) and Hong Shen (Red Ginseng) are the first choices. Taking these ginsengs to tonify Heart Qi in advance can help you avoid becoming part of the heart disease demographic. People often say that these ginsengs can combat fatigue, but in reality, they are most effective at strengthening the heart.
Having discussed so much about tonifying Qi, we must not mistakenly believe that we can take tonifying herbs in any situation. Healthy individuals relying on tonifying Qi herbs to strengthen their bodies will disrupt the balance of Yin and Yang within, which can be detrimental to health.
We have heard the saying “closing the door to keep out thieves”; this means that if we are ill and have not identified the cause, recklessly consuming tonifying herbs is like inviting a thief into your home and treating them to fine wine and food. The consequences are easy to imagine.
Women are generally more concerned about how to nourish their bodies than men, as they not only fear aging but also value their temperament. To break down the concept of temperament, it means that one must not only have Qi but also quality. Therefore, only by knowing how to tonify Qi correctly can one achieve a perfect temperament that is both “skin” and “flesh”.
Ren Shen Stewed with Pig Spinal Marrow
【Ingredients】: Tian Dong (Asparagus Root), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), Shu Di (Rehmannia), Sheng Di (Raw Rehmannia), Ren Shen (Ginseng), Pig spinal marrow.
【Method】: Clean the Mai Dong, Tian Dong, Shu Di, Sheng Di, and Ren Shen. Slice Mai Dong and Ren Shen thinly. Place all ingredients into a stewing pot, add an appropriate amount of boiling water, cover the pot, and stew over low heat for 3 hours. Season to taste, and consume the soup along with the pig spinal marrow and Ren Shen. Take once daily.
【Effects】: Nourishes Yin and tonifies marrow, enhancing complexion. It is used for those with insufficient Qi and blood, dull complexion, or those with Yin deficiency and internal heat, experiencing symptoms like irritability and dark spots on the face. This dish has the effect of tonifying Qi and strengthening the body, improving immunity, and delaying aging.
Support us 
Please like and share↓↓