Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang: A Classic TCM Formula for Energy and Digestive Health
Health Lab- Nov 7, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: May 8
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is a powerful formula designed to boost energy, strengthen digestion, and lift vitality.
Originating from Li Dongyuan’s Pi Wei Lun (Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach) in the Jin Dynasty, this time-honored remedy addresses weakness in the spleen and stomach, restoring balance for those feeling fatigued, weak, or out of sorts. Its carefully selected herbs reflect centuries of TCM wisdom, offering a natural boost for modern-day energy and wellness challenges.
Origins and Background
Crafted by Li Dongyuan, a renowned physician of the Jin Dynasty, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang was developed to treat conditions caused by spleen qi deficiency, a common issue in TCM linked to poor digestion and low energy.
In an era when overwork, poor diet, and stress were prevalent, this formula became a lifeline, helping people regain strength and vitality. Its focus on the spleen and stomach—the body’s core for energy production—makes it a versatile remedy for today’s fast-paced lifestyles.
Ingredients and Their Benefits of Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang combines eight herbs, each contributing to its energizing and balancing effects:
Astragalus Root (Huang Qi): The lead herb, astragalus boosts spleen qi, lifts energy, and strengthens immunity. Its polysaccharides enhance stamina and resilience.
Ginseng (Ren Shen): Warm and sweet, ginseng revitalizes energy, supports digestion, and combats fatigue, acting as a potent tonic.
Licorice Root (Gan Cao): Sweet and harmonizing, licorice strengthens the spleen, soothes digestion, and unifies the formula’s effects.
Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi): Aromatic and warm, tangerine peel regulates qi, reduces bloating, and supports healthy digestion.
Angelica Root (Dang Gui): Nourishing and warm, angelica enriches blood, supports circulation, and aids spleen function.
Cimicifuga (Sheng Ma): Cool and uplifting, cimicifuga raises spleen qi, helping to counter sagging energy or prolapse.
Bupleurum (Chai Hu): Bitter and cooling, bupleurum soothes the liver and lifts qi, easing stress-related digestive issues.
White Atractylodes (Bai Zhu): Warm and sweet, atractylodes strengthens the spleen, dries dampness, and boosts digestion.
Together, these herbs restore spleen qi, lift vitality, and promote digestive harmony.
Benefits and Conditions Treated
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang excels at treating spleen qi deficiency, a condition that leaves you feeling tired, weak, or bloated.
It’s perfect for those struggling with low energy or digestive sluggishness. Its key effects include:
Boosting Energy: It strengthens spleen qi, combating fatigue and restoring vitality.
Improving Digestion: It supports the spleen and stomach, easing bloating, poor appetite, or loose stools.
Lifting Qi: It counters sagging energy, helping with symptoms like prolapse or heaviness.
Enhancing Immunity: It bolsters the body’s defenses, reducing susceptibility to illness.
Common Symptoms
This formula is ideal for:
Chronic fatigue or weakness.
Poor appetite, bloating, or loose stools.
Feeling heavy or sluggish.
Organ prolapse (e.g., uterus, rectum).
Pale tongue with a thin white coating and a weak pulse.
Practical Applications
Fatigue and Weakness: It revitalizes those who feel drained or lack stamina, restoring energy for daily tasks.
Digestive Issues: It relieves bloating, poor appetite, or indigestion caused by a weak spleen.
Prolapse or Heaviness: It lifts qi to address sagging organs or a heavy sensation in the body.
Clinical Uses
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is widely used for:
Chronic fatigue syndrome or general weakness.
Digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome or chronic gastritis.
Organ prolapse (uterine, rectal, or gastric).
Postpartum weakness or recovery.
Immune support for frequent colds or low resilience.
Chronic diarrhea or malabsorption issues.
Modern research highlights its benefits: astragalus and ginseng boost immunity and energy, tangerine peel aids digestion, and angelica improves circulation, making this formula a versatile tonic.
Dietary Support
Pairing Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang with nourishing recipes can amplify its effects:
Astragalus Porridge
Ingredients: 10g astragalus root, 100g rice.
Method: Boil astragalus in water for 10 minutes, strain, cook rice in the liquid until soft, serve warm.
Benefits: Boosts energy and strengthens the spleen.
Yam and Lotus Seed Soup
Ingredients: 1 yam, 20g lotus seeds, 50g rice.
Method: Boil yam, lotus seeds, and rice in water until soft, season lightly.
Benefits: Nourishes the spleen and supports digestion.
Ginseng Tea
Ingredients: 5g ginseng slices.
Method: Steep in boiling water for 5 minutes, drink warm.
Benefits: Revitalizes energy and combats fatigue.
Tangerine Peel Broth
Ingredients: 5g tangerine peel, 1 carrot, sliced.
Method: Boil tangerine peel and carrot in water until tender, season lightly.
Benefits: Regulates qi and eases bloating.
Massage Support
Massage can enhance Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang’s effects by stimulating digestion and energy flow:
Zusanli Point: Three inches below the knee, on the outer side of the shin. Massage for 5 minutes to boost spleen qi.
Qihai Point: Two inches below the navel. Massage for 5 minutes to lift energy and strengthen vitality.
Pishu Point: On the back, below the shoulder blade. Massage for 5 minutes to support spleen function.
Guanyuan Point: Three inches below the navel. Massage for 5 minutes to reinforce qi.
Precautions
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is effective but requires caution:
Avoid in Heat Conditions: If you have fever, red tongue, or rapid pulse, consult a practitioner, as it may worsen symptoms.
Pregnant Women: Use only under medical guidance due to its qi-moving effects.
Excessive Dampness: Those with heavy phlegm or bloating should consult a TCM expert to avoid aggravating dampness.
Medical Supervision: Always follow a practitioner’s advice for safe use.
Conclusion
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is a TCM gem, blending astragalus, ginseng, and other herbs to boost energy, strengthen digestion, and lift vitality. Whether you’re battling fatigue, digestive woes, or prolapse, this formula offers natural support.
Enhance its benefits with astragalus porridge or tangerine peel broth, and always consult a TCM practitioner for personalized guidance. Let this ancient remedy restore your strength and balance in today’s demanding world.
Chinese Name | 補中益氣湯 |
Phonetic | Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang |
English Name | Center-Supplementing and Qi-Boosting Decoction |
Classification | Tonic formulas |
Source | 《Clarifying Doubts about Damage from Internal and External Causes》Nei Wai Shang Bian Huo Lun《內外傷辨惑論》 |
Combination | Astragali Radix (Huang Qi) 1 qian (18g), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle (Zhi Gan Cao) 5 fen (9g), Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Ren Shen) 3 fen (6g), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui soaked in wine and dried) 2 fen (3g), Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chen Pi) 2 or 3 fen (6g), Cimicifugae Rhizoma (Sheng Mao) 2 or 3 fen (6g), Bupleuri Radix (Chai Hu) 2 or 3 fen (6g), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Bai Zhu) 3 fen (9g) |
Method | In the original text, it was noted, “add two cups of water and boil until it is decocted into one cup. Take it while it is warm.” Modern administration: decoct with water. It can also be made into pills. Take ten to fifteen grams each time, two to three times a day. Take the pills with warm boiled water or ginger soup. |
Action | Supplements the center and boosts qi; raises yang and lifts the sunken. |
Indication | Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is indicated for two patterns. The first pattern is deficient or sunken spleen qi with reduced food intake, general sluggish sensation, weak breathing, lack of desire to speak, sallow-yellow facial complexion, and loose unformed stool. The tongue is pale and the pulse is deficient. It is also used for rectal prolapse, uterine prolapse, chronic diarrhea, and flooding and spotting (beng lou). The second pattern is objective or subjective fever due to qi deficiency manifested by a feverish sensation, spontaneous sweating, thirst with a desire for hot drinks, shortness of breath, and lack of strength. The tongue is pale and the pulse is deficient, big, and weak. |
Pathogenesis | The etiologies involved are an improper diet and exhaustion-fatigue (fatigue from overstrain). Pathogenic factors damage the spleen-stomach causing deficiency, which over time, lead to sinking of clear yang. The spleen-stomach is the generating source of ying, wei qi, qi, and blood. Reduced food intake, weak breathing, lack of desire to speak, loose, unformed stool, etc. are all signs of spleen-stomach deficiency. Rectal and uterine prolapse indicate spleen deficiency. The spleen governs the ascent of the clear and when it is deficient over a period of time will lead to center qi sinking. Feverish body and spontaneous sweating are caused by deficiency of qi, which fails to consolidate the exterior and floats (yang) to the external part of the body. The treatment principle should be to supplement spleen-stomach qi, and raise the sinking yang. |
Clarification | The feverish body (fever) in this pattern is caused by qi deficiency rather than external contraction. Deficient spleen and stomach qi fails to ascend and descend normally. As a result, the clear yang sinks and spleen dampness flows downward. Long-term accumulation of yang qi in the lower jiao generates heat, which then stirs upward.《Clarifying Doubts about Damage from Internal and External Causes》teaches that to treat this kind of fever, “the only method is to supplement the center qi and raise yang with sweet-warm medicinals and to clear the fire with sweet-cold medicinals. This type of fever can only be relieved by warm medicinals. Bitter-cold medicinals should be prohibited for use at this moment, for they would do harm to the spleen-stomach. This is the reason for the development of Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang.” The sunken yang fails to rise and becomes stagnant. As such, it fails to spread to the exterior and causes fever. Sweet-warm medicinals boost qi and raise the yang so clear yang can return to its original place and allow the fever to automatically disappear. Therefore, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is regarded as the representative formula to “clear heat with sweet-warm medicinals.” |
Application | 1. Essential pattern differentiation Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is a representative formula used to boost qi, raise yang, and clear heat with sweet-warm medicinals. This clinical pattern is marked by general sluggishness, lack of strength, weak breathing, less desire to talk. 2. Modern applications Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is widely used to treat the following diseases caused by spleen-stomach qi deficiency or center qi sinking in terms of TCM: visceroptosis, chronic diarrhea, prolapse of organs (uterus, anus), myasthenia gravis (MG), chyluria, chronic hepatitis, urinary retention during pregnancy or the postpartum period, threatened miscarriage, profuse menstruation, drooping eyelid, and paralytic strabismus. 3. Cautions and contraindications This formula is prohibited for patients with yin-deficiency fever or excessive internal heat. |
Additonal formulae | 1. Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang (Yang-Raising and Stomach-Boosting Decoction 升陽益胃湯) [Source]《Clarifying Doubts about Damage from Internal and External Causes》Nei Wai Shang Bian Huo Lun《內外傷辨惑論》 [Ingredients] Huang qi 2 liang (60g), ban xia 1 liang (15g), ren shen 1 liang (15g), gan cao 1 liang (15g), du huo 5 qian (9g), fang feng 5 qian (9g), bai shao 5 qian (9g), qiang huo 5 qian (9g), chen pi 4 qian (6g), chai hu 3 qian (5g), fu ling 3 qian (5g), ze xie 3 qian (5g), bai zhu 3 qian (5g), huang lian 1 qian (1.5g), sheng jiang 5 pieces, da zao 2 pieces [Preparation and Administration] Prepare it as a decoction. [Actions] Boosts qi and raises yang, clears heat and eliminates dampness. [Applicable Patterns] Fever due to damp constraint resulting from stomach-spleen qi deficiency. Symptoms include: general fatigue, somnolence, feeling heavy and pain in the limbs, bitter taste in the mouth, a dry tongue, inability to taste the flavors of food, indigestion, and irregular stools 2. Sheng Xian Tang (Raising the Sinking Decoction 升陷湯) [Source]《Records of Chinese Medicine with Reference to Western Medicine》Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu《醫學衷中參西錄》 [Ingredients] Sheng huang qi 6 qian (18g), zhi mu 3 qian (9g), chai hu 1.5 qian (4.5g), jie geng 1.5 qian (4.5g), sheng ma 1 qian (3g) [Preparation and Administration] Prepare it as a decoction. [Actions] Boosts qi and raises the sunken. [Applicable Patterns] Qi sinking pattern. Symptoms include: shortness of breath, difficult inhalation, too weak to breath, and a deep, slow, faint and weak or irregular pulse 3. Ju Yuan Jian (Original Qi Lifting Decoction 舉元煎) [Source]《The Complete Works of [Zhang] Jing- yue》Jing Yue Quan Shu《景嶽全書》 [Ingredients] Ren shen (liquid-fried) 3-5 qian (10-20g), huang qi (liquid-fried) 3-5 qian (10-20g), gan cao 1-2 qian (3-6g), sheng ma 5-7 fen (4g), bai zhu 1-2 qian (3-6g) [Preparation and Administration] Prepare it as a decoction. [Actions] Boosts and raises qi. [Applicable Patterns] Qi sinking after long-term qi deficiency, blood flooding, blood desertion, or yang collapse pattern. |
Remark | Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II. Its trade is allowed but subject to licensing controls. |
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