Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) is the first choice for nourishing Qi, while Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction) is the first choice for nourishing Blood.
Si Jun Zi Tang nourishes the robust Qi of men, while Si Wu Tang nourishes the soft Yin Blood of women. Men utilize Qi, while women utilize Blood.
Therefore, when men have sufficient Spleen and Kidney Qi, their bodies are strong; when women have abundant Heart and Liver Blood, their physique is good.
Si Jun Zi Tang strengthens the Qi of the Spleen and Kidney, while Si Wu Tang nourishes the Blood of the Heart and Liver. If one can master these two formulas, they are extraordinary.
So what do we call the combination of these two formulas? Ba Zhen Tang (Eight Treasures Decoction)。
Ba Zhen Tang has been recorded in ancient recipes since the Zhou Dynasty. Subsequently, various dynasties created different versions of “Ba Zhen.” “Ba Zhen” refers to precious dishes made from eight different medicinal materials. Here, the eight treasures are combined to restore the most precious Qi and Blood of a person.
Ba Zhen Tang is a renowned formula in TCM for simultaneously nourishing Qi and Blood, considered as precious as jade.
In ancient times, the naming of decoctions was not done lightly. The I Ching states that a gentleman should strive for self-improvement, while a woman should possess great virtue; this is the true meaning of Si Jun Zi Tang and Si Wu Tang.
Ingredients: Dang Shen (Codonopsis) 9g, Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes) 9g, Fu Ling (Poria) 9g, Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis) 9g, Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum) 9g, Bai Shao (White Peony) 9g, Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia) 9g, Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice) 9g.
Usage: Add 3 slices of fresh ginger and 5 jujubes, and decoct in water for consumption.
Dang Shen has a sweet flavor, which nourishes the Qi of the Spleen and Stomach. The effect of Dang Shen in nourishing Qi is relatively mild.
Bai Zhu strengthens the Spleen and Stomach. Bai Zhu allows the Spleen and Stomach to function like a wheel, with the Spleen and Stomach as the hub and the other five organs as the spokes. Thus, when the hub moves, the spokes rotate; if the hub stops, the spokes also stop.
So, when you look at riding a bicycle, when the hub in the middle moves, the wheels around it turn. If the hub stops moving, the wheels will also stop.
The axis of the human body is the Spleen and Stomach; when they function, the five organs and six bowels, as well as the limbs, rotate. If a person is inactive, it is certainly due to Spleen deficiency.
Bai Zhu is also a master at strengthening the Spleen and dispelling dampness. If the Spleen Qi is deficient, its ability to transform and transport water and dampness is also reduced, leading to internal retention of dampness. Bai Zhu transforms the dampness in the Middle Jiao (Spleen and Stomach) into the fluids needed by the body.
Fu Ling’s primary function is to dispel dampness; its nature is very mild, dispelling dampness without harming the Spleen and Stomach.
Gan Cao (Licorice) is sweet and warm; it can first alleviate urgency. It can help anxious individuals become more relaxed, and secondly, it can strengthen the Qi, allowing those who are weak to be replenished. This is why Gan Cao is the most frequently used herb in TCM decoctions, as it can replenish the weak and calm the agitated.
Si Wu Tang has a characteristic: it harmonizes throughout the four seasons.
Dang Gui nourishes Liver Blood, which corresponds to spring. Dang Gui is the holy medicine for blood, meaning it can be used for any condition related to blood.
Dang Gui is sweet and warm; the sweetness nourishes, and the warmth promotes circulation. This means that while it nourishes Blood, it can also move Blood.
It supports the weak and benefits the injured; Dang Gui can uplift those who are weak. It benefits those who are overworked and injured, as many injuries stem from food, worry, and drink… These injuries primarily affect Qi and Blood. Therefore, Dang Gui supports the weak and benefits the injured.
Dang Gui can replenish Blood deficiency and also ensure that Blood stays where it should be; in other words, Dang Gui can keep Blood in its proper vessels. If Blood runs amok, what will happen? Think about it: if Blood is not contained within the vessels, it can lead to nosebleeds, gum bleeding, or purpura under the skin…
In summer, when the Qi is most vigorous, Chuan Xiong regulates summer.
In summer, a person’s Qi and Blood reach their peak, just as trees grow the most in summer. Chuan Xiong represents the peak of Qi, which is the essence of summer.
Chuan Xiong is pungent and warm, promoting Blood circulation and unblocking meridians. Chuan Xiong can move Yin Blood upward, relieve stagnation in Blood and Qi, and can reach the head, unblocking the meridians in the head, dispelling blood stasis and cold in the head. Therefore, for headaches due to Blood deficiency and cold stagnation, Chuan Xiong is indispensable.
Chuan Xiong can not only ascend but also descend; hence the ancients said: “Chuan Xiong can ascend to the head and descend to the Blood Sea, relieving stagnation on the sides.” Its ability to open both upward and downward is exceptional.
Bai Shao is sour and astringent, corresponding to autumn, which is a time of harvest. Bai Shao’s sourness can help retain Qi and Blood.
In Zhang Zhongjing’s Gui Zhi Tang, both Gui Zhi and Bai Shao are used; Gui Zhi disperses outward while Bai Shao draws inward. This classic combination of dispersing and drawing is very effective.
Bai Shao can also soften the Liver; we all know that the Liver is a rigid organ. For example, when a person gets angry, they often become furious, with a red face and a thick neck, right? This is a manifestation of the Liver being rigid.
In such cases, how do we resolve this? We need to soften the Liver. Bai Shao can help temper this fiery temperament, making it more gentle and less irritable. Additionally, Bai Shao can nourish Blood, specifically Liver Blood. Thus, Bai Shao can both retain and replenish Blood, ensuring it is sufficient. Shu Di Huang is black in color, primarily responsible for sealing and storing, corresponding to winter. Shu Di Huang can store essence, which means it can store Blood. It has a wonderful name called “Di Sui,” which means the essence of the earth. Shu Di Huang has a strong ability to absorb the essence of the earth, deeply rooting itself in the soil to draw in the earth’s essence, making it very heavy, thus having a strong sealing ability.
These four herbs harmonize throughout the four seasons.
Ba Zhen Tang is particularly suitable for the following groups of people:
Those who feel cold in their hands and feet during winter;
Individuals with pale, sallow complexions, shortness of breath, and reluctance to speak;
Those who easily feel fatigued, drowsy, and prone to excessive sweating;
Women with anemia, scanty menstruation, dizziness upon standing, and headaches during their menstrual period;
Women with irregular menstruation due to Qi and Blood deficiency;
Women with Qi and Blood deficiency after childbirth;
Women seeking beauty and skin care.
Ba Zhen Tang provides a balanced nourishment of Qi and Blood, making the body flourish like a flower receiving nourishment from water.
Click the blue text to follow us.
Copyright Statement:
The article is sourced from: Voice of Traditional Chinese Medicine. We share articles and images from the internet, and the copyright belongs to the original authors and sources. This article is for educational sharing and dissemination of more information, with no commercial purpose. If there are any issues regarding the content, copyright, or other matters, please contact the original author for removal.
WeChat ID｜ Intelligent TCM Decision Support Consultation System
