The Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) originates from the Song Dynasty’s Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang.The Si Jun Zi Tang is a comprehensive tonic for Qi deficiency, and many later formulas for strengthening the spleen and boosting Qi have evolved from this classic. Do not underestimate the four ingredients within; they are excellent for supporting the body’s zheng qi (correct Qi). Many illnesses may seem difficult to address, but as long as there is Qi deficiency, one can find a breakthrough through Qi tonification.Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has always emphasized the importance of a person’s zheng qi, also known as zhong qi. When zheng qi is abundant, one is not afraid of external pathogens. Ancient physicians likened the Si Jun Zi Tang to a scenario where, after taking this decoction, the body is filled with jun zi (gentlemen), leaving no room for evil Qi to settle, thus it retreats. The principle is that “when zheng qi is preserved internally, evil cannot invade.” This formula tonifies Qi and strengthens the spleen, effectively addressing symptoms such as weak organs, pale complexion, weakness in the limbs, abdominal distension, loss of appetite, bowel sounds, diarrhea, pale tongue with thin white coating, and weak pulse.
A renowned Qi tonifying formula with the virtues of a gentleman.Modern life and work pressures are significant, often leading to a weak spleen and stomach due to irregular eating habits, resulting in insufficient energy and poor physical condition. At such times, Si Jun Zi Tang can help strengthen the spleen and stomach, resist fatigue, and boost energy. It is one of the most famous ancient formulas, composed mainly of four basic herbs: Ren Shen (Ginseng), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Fu Ling (Poria), and Gan Cao (Licorice).In the Qing Dynasty, physician Wu Kun provided insightful commentary on this formula’s indications and composition in his work Yi Fang Kao: “Pale complexion, soft speech, weakness in the limbs, and a weak pulse indicate Qi deficiency; this formula is indicated. A pale complexion reveals Qi deficiency; soft speech indicates Qi deficiency; weakness in the limbs suggests Qi deficiency; a weak pulse confirms Qi deficiency. Therefore, Qi tonification is necessary. This formula contains Ren Shen, which is warm and moistening, capable of replenishing the yuan qi of the five organs; Bai Zhu is sweet and warm, strengthening the spleen and replenishing the mother qi of the five organs; Fu Ling is sweet and warm, promoting the clear Qi of the five organs; and Gan Cao is sweet and warm, harmonizing the Qi of the five organs.”Many people do not understand the origin of the term “jun zi” in the formula’s name. Historically, individuals with outstanding talents and virtues were referred to as gentlemen. Zhang Lu’s Shang Han Xu Lun states: “For those with Qi deficiency, tonify with sweet herbs: Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, and Gan Cao are sweet and warm, benefiting the stomach, and possess the virtue of harmony, hence the name ‘gentlemen.'” Wang Jin San in Jiang Xue Yuan Gu Fang Xuan Zhu notes: “The decoction is named after gentlemen, as its primary function is to strengthen the spleen and harmonize the stomach, allowing the essence of food and drink to nourish the five organs, just as a gentleman possesses the virtues of adulthood.” Wang Ang in Yi Fang Ji Jie states: “Because they are all harmonizing substances, they are called gentlemen.” The four herbs in this formula—Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, and Gan Cao—are all harmonizing substances that tonify Qi gently without causing dryness or excessive heat, embodying the ancient meaning of ‘gentlemen achieving harmony,’ thus the name Si Jun Zi Tang.Si Jun Zi Tang is a renowned formula for tonifying Qi, specifically designed to treat conditions arising from internal and external factors leading to spleen and stomach weakness, and the diseases that follow. If you often feel short of breath, become breathless after a short run; if your complexion is pale and you frequently feel weak; if you eat little, have poor digestion, and experience loose stools; if you have a congenital weak constitution or have not recovered well after a serious illness, Si Jun Zi Tang can be beneficial. As time progresses, many effects of Si Jun Zi Tang have been continuously discovered. Modern research indicates that this formula also regulates gastrointestinal motility, inhibiting excessive gastrointestinal propulsion to alleviate diarrhea while restoring normal small intestine function and reducing gastric acid secretion, aiding in the healing of gastrointestinal ulcers.Si Jun Zi Tang primarily nourishes the acquired essence to support the innate essence, or we can understand it as enhancing the body’s immunity, allowing for quicker recovery during illness.Jun, Chen, Zuo, ShiSi Jun Zi Tang is known as the premier formula for strengthening the spleen and tonifying Qi. Although it consists of only four herbs, the proportions are exquisite, with the combination of jun, chen, zuo, and shi being remarkable.From the original formula’s proportions, the tonifying herbs are used in small amounts. If Qi is deficient, why not use stronger tonics?The Huang Di Nei Jing states: “For those with low Qi, tonifying Yang will deplete Yin, and draining Yin will exhaust Yang. In such cases, sweet herbs should be used in moderation.” This is because if a person has low Qi, it can be inferred that their blood is also insufficient. Therefore, if large amounts of sweet and warm herbs are used for tonification, it may affect appetite and even cause chest tightness. Only by using smaller amounts can one achieve balance, tonifying Qi without harming blood.In the formula, Ren Shen is the monarch, warming and benefiting Qi, strengthening the spleen and nourishing the stomach.Ren Shen is a well-known and precious herb, recognized both domestically and internationally, greatly replenishing yuan qi, especially the wild ginseng, which has the highest medicinal value. From the perspective of TCM, Ren Shen is neutral in nature, sweet in flavor, slightly bitter, and enters the spleen, lung, and heart meridians, with effects of tonifying yuan qi, calming the mind, benefiting the brain, and generating fluids, primarily used for treating conditions such as physical weakness, fatigue, forgetfulness, dizziness, impotence, and frequent urination.The minister, Bai Zhu, is warm and bitter, strengthening the spleen and drying dampness, enhancing the ability to benefit Qi and assist in transportation.Bai Zhu is warm in nature, sweet and bitter in flavor, entering the spleen and stomach meridians, with effects of strengthening the spleen, benefiting Qi, drying dampness, and promoting urination, primarily used for treating spleen deficiency, poor appetite, abdominal distension, and diarrhea. In Si Jun Zi Tang, Bai Zhu is typically prepared as fried Bai Zhu, suitable for patients whose internal dampness is not too severe but require spleen tonification. If preparing Si Jun Zi Tang at home, and the patient has significant dampness with symptoms like lower back pain, fresh Bai Zhu should be used due to its stronger dampness-draining properties and its ability to benefit the lower back and abdomen.Qing Dynasty physician Chen Shi Duo was adept at using fresh Bai Zhu. When encountering patients with spleen and kidney dampness, he would prescribe large doses of fresh Bai Zhu, which was a hallmark of his treatment style. Fresh Bai Zhu also has the effect of stopping sweating, and the famous formula for stopping sweating, Yu Ping Feng San, includes fresh Bai Zhu. In gynecological applications, fried Bai Zhu is used more frequently. Additionally, fried Bai Zhu can be prepared using wheat bran or soil, with the former having a stronger spleen tonifying effect and the latter being better for stopping diarrhea.Assisted by the sweet and mild Fu Ling, which strengthens the spleen and drains dampness.Since Qi deficiency arises from weakened spleen and stomach function and insufficient transportation, the spleen’s function not only transforms the essence of food into Qi and blood but also includes the transportation of dampness and the excretion of excess. When the spleen is deficient, its ability to transport dampness is also weakened, so while tonifying the spleen and benefiting Qi, it is necessary to use some mild herbs that promote downward drainage. Incorporating such herbs into Qi tonifying formulas can enhance the effectiveness of spleen strengthening.With the addition of roasted Gan Cao, which benefits Qi, harmonizes the formula, and balances the herbs.It is important to note that when a patient has spleen and stomach Qi deficiency, roasted Gan Cao can be used, but if the patient also has throat discomfort, fresh Gan Cao can be substituted to leverage its detoxifying and throat-soothing properties. The combination of these four herbs works together to achieve the effects of benefiting Qi and strengthening the spleen.
A good remedy for those with Qi deficiency constitution.
The Qi deficiency constitution refers to a state characterized by insufficient yuan qi, with weak breath and low organ function. During flu season, in the same office, some people are particularly prone to colds, while others may only sneeze a couple of times, and some may be completely unaffected. We often say that those who catch colds easily have a weak constitution, which is essentially Qi deficiency.As early as in the Huang Di Nei Jing: Su Wen, it is stated: “When zheng qi is preserved internally, evil cannot invade; where evil gathers, Qi must be deficient.” This means that individuals with sufficient Qi are more capable of resisting various pathogens, while those with insufficient Qi will exhibit various symptoms. The modern concept of sub-health, characterized by frequent fatigue, falls under the category of Qi deficiency constitution.The manifestations of Qi deficiency constitution are diverse, but the most basic symptoms are few. If you find the characteristics described above hard to remember, you can use the following mnemonic to grasp the symptoms of Qi deficiency: “Short of breath, lazy in speech, low voice, spontaneous sweating, aversion to wind, exacerbation with movement, prone to colds, fatigue, pale complexion, pale tongue, weak pulse.”When a person has insufficient zhong qi, their lung Qi is also deficient, leading to reluctance to speak and a low voice. Qi deficiency and spleen deficiency result in a feeling of overall weakness, even without heavy labor, one may feel low in energy and easily sweat, especially after activity. Additionally, due to Qi deficiency, the facial color may appear pale, with a distinct difference between pale and ashen; pale indicates a lack of blood color, while ashen is a pale hue with a bluish tint. These are the primary characteristics of Qi deficiency.Si Jun Zi Tang is suitable for most individuals with Qi deficiency constitution, as it can greatly replenish yuan qi while being gentle in nature, preventing excessive tonification. However, if the patient has been exposed to cold or has a cold, Si Jun Zi Tang should not be taken to avoid exacerbating the condition by trapping external cold pathogens.“Four Gentlemen” can also be combined with glutinous rice to make congee, which is ideal for daily nourishment, preferably substituting Ren Shen with Dang Shen (Codonopsis). This congee is suitable for Qi tonification and can be a first choice for men experiencing fatigue due to Qi deficiency, lack of focus, and low work efficiency. Women with spleen deficiency often experience a yellowish complexion and excessive fatigue, while the elderly are prone to spleen deficiency and decreased immunity, making this congee a good option for them as well.Variations of Si Jun Zi TangSi Jun Zi Tang can be enhanced with aromatic Chen Pi (Dried Tangerine Peel), known as Yi Gong San, which remains a Qi tonifying remedy. Formulas evolve over time; initially, Si Jun Zi Tang helps people tonify the spleen and stomach, but in practice, it has been found that adding Chen Pi when the spleen and stomach are weaker can enhance the overall Qi tonification without causing stagnation, better restoring spleen and stomach function. With the spleen and stomach properly regulated and nourished, the generation of Qi and blood is supported, leading to a significant reduction in other discomfort symptoms.Furthermore, Si Jun Zi Tang can be adjusted according to changes in the patient’s condition. For instance, if the patient has heat, warming herbs should be avoided, and Ren Shen can be replaced with Tai Zi Shen (Pseudostellaria), which is milder; if the patient has some Yin deficiency, Xi Yang Shen (American Ginseng) can be used instead; in emergencies, Shan Shen (Mountain Ginseng) can be substituted, but the dosage must be carefully controlled due to its potency; typically, when Qi deficiency is not very pronounced, Dang Shen can be used with good results.A Nourishing Soup for the Whole FamilyHere is a recipe for Si Jun Zi Tang soup suitable for the whole family, especially for men.Ingredients (this recipe is for reference only): Dang Shen 10g, Fu Ling 10g, fried Bai Zhu 10g, roasted Gan Cao 10g, lamb 500g (or old hen, pork ribs), 2 dates, 3 slices of ginger, appropriate amount of green onion, cooking wine, salt, and pepper.Steps:1. Wash the four herbs and place them in a herbal bag.2. Blanch the lamb (or other ingredients) and rinse with clean water, then place in a clay pot, adding sufficient water along with green onion, ginger, cooking wine, and the herbal bag.3. Simmer for about 5 hours until the lamb is tender, adding salt and pepper before serving.Women focus on blood tonification, while men emphasize Qi tonification. Men are often the pillars of the family, facing significant work pressure, making them prone to Qi deficiency, leading to insufficient energy, poor physical condition, and reduced work efficiency. Therefore, this soup is most suitable for men, helping to combat fatigue and boost energy.The spleen and stomach are the sources of Qi and blood generation. This soup can ensure sufficient spleen Qi, thus providing a source for Qi and blood generation, leading to a rosy complexion and abundant energy, which is also beneficial for women prone to low blood pressure and anemia.For the elderly, as various bodily functions decline, all five organs are prone to deficiency. Regular consumption can benefit Qi, strengthen the spleen, and enhance immunity, allowing them to enjoy their later years.
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