1. Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction)
Composition: Ren Shen (Ginseng) 10g, Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes) 9g, Fu Ling (Poria) 9g, Gan Cao (Licorice) 6g
Function: Tonifies Qi and strengthens the Spleen
Indications: Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency
Characteristics: Pale complexion, low voice, weakness in limbs, reduced appetite or loose stools, pale tongue, thin and weak pulse
Modified Formula: Yi Gong San (Extraordinary Merit Powder)
Composition: Si Jun Zi Tang plus Chen Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel) 9g, Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger) 5 slices
Function: Strengthens the Spleen, tonifies Qi, harmonizes the Stomach
Indications: Weakness of the Spleen and Stomach
Characteristics: Poor appetite, chest and epigastric fullness or discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea
Modified Formula: Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction)
Composition: Si Jun Zi Tang (1) plus Chen Pi 9g, Ban Xia (Pinellia) 12g
Function: Strengthens the Spleen and stops vomiting
Indications: Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency with phlegm-dampness
Characteristics: Lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, chest and epigastric fullness, loose stools, or cough with copious thin white phlegm
Modified Formula: Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang (Aromatic Sand Six Gentlemen Decoction)
Composition: Liu Jun Zi Tang plus Mu Xiang (Costus) 6g, Sha Ren (Amomum) 6g
Function: Strengthens the Spleen, harmonizes the Stomach, regulates Qi and alleviates pain
Indications: Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency with cold-damp stagnation in the middle Jiao
Characteristics: Poor appetite, belching, abdominal distension or pain, vomiting, diarrhea
2. Bao Yuan Tang (Preserving the Source Decoction)
Composition: Huang Qi (Astragalus) 20g, Ren Shen 20g, Rou Gui (Cinnamon) 8g, Gan Cao 5g, Sheng Jiang 3g
Function: Tonifies Qi and warms Yang
Indications: Deficiency due to overwork, insufficient Yuan Qi
Characteristics: Fatigue, shortness of breath, aversion to cold; in children, for variola with Yang deficiency, blood deficiency with clear fluid not rising
3. Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (Ginseng, Poria, and Atractylodes Powder)
Composition: Lian Zi Rou (Lotus Seed) 50g, Yi Yi Ren (Job’s Tears) 50g, Sha Ren 50g, Jie Geng (Platycodon) 50g, Bian Dou (Hyacinth Bean) 75g, Fu Ling 100g, Ren Shen 100g, Gan Cao 100g, Bai Zhu 100g, Shan Yao (Chinese Yam) 100g
Function: Tonifies Qi, strengthens the Spleen, drains dampness, and stops diarrhea
Indications: Spleen and Stomach deficiency
Characteristics: Reduced appetite, loose stools, fatigue, weight loss, chest and epigastric fullness, pale yellow complexion, white tongue coating, pale red tongue, thin and weak pulse
4. Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction)
Composition: Huang Qi 20g, Ren Shen 10g, Bai Zhu 10g, Gan Cao 6g, Dang Gui (Angelica) 10g, Chai Hu (Bupleurum) 3g, Chen Pi 6g, Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga) 3g, Da Zao (Jujube), Sheng Jiang
Function: Tonifies the Middle, augments Qi, raises Yang
Indications: Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency.
Characteristics: Fever, spontaneous sweating, thirst with preference for warm drinks, shortness of breath, fatigue, pale complexion, loose stools, weak and rapid pulse, pale tongue with thin white coating.
Indications: Qi deficiency with sinking.
Characteristics: Prolapse of the rectum, uterine prolapse, chronic diarrhea, chronic dysentery, chronic malaria, and other symptoms of clear Yang sinking.
5. Sheng Mai San (Generate the Pulse Powder)
Composition: Ren Shen 10g, Mai Dong (Ophiopogon) 15g, Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra) 6g
Function: Tonifies Qi, generates fluids, and restrains Yin and stops sweating
Indications: (1) Summer heat with excessive sweating, depleting Qi and injuring fluids.
Characteristics: Fatigue, shortness of breath, dry throat and mouth, thin and weak pulse
Indications: (2) Chronic thirst with lung deficiency, both Qi and Yin injured.
Characteristics: Coughing with little phlegm, shortness of breath with spontaneous sweating, dry mouth and tongue, white tongue coating with little moisture, weak and rapid or thin pulse