Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang: Herbal Warmth for Spleen and Stomach Health
Health Lab- Jan 30
- 4 min read
Updated: May 4
Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang, or Aconite Middle-Regulating Decoction, is a revered formula from Jin Kui Yao Lue in Shang Han Za Bing Lun by the “Medical Saint” Zhang Zhongjing of the Eastern Han Dynasty.
Known in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for warming the middle, dispelling cold, and strengthening the spleen, this blend of five herbs restores yang energy and alleviates symptoms of spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Its versatility shines in modern applications, treating digestive, skin, and endocrine disorders with time-tested efficacy.
What’s in Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang?
Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang combines five herbs, structured by the TCM principle of monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy, to warm the body and boost spleen function. The ingredients and their roles are:
Monarch Herb
Aconite Root (Fu Zi): Pungent and hot, aconite restores yang, dispels cold, and relieves pain, warming the core to counter deficiency-cold.
Minister Herb
Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang): Pungent and hot, dried ginger warms the middle, unblocks meridians, and banishes cold, enhancing digestive warmth.
Assistant Herbs
Ginseng (Ren Shen): Sweet and warm, ginseng replenishes qi, strengthens the spleen, and supports lung health, boosting energy.
White Atractylodes (Bai Zhu): Bitter, sweet, and warm, atractylodes dries dampness, strengthens the spleen, and promotes diuresis, aiding digestion.
Envoy Herb
Licorice Root (Gan Cao): Sweet and mild, licorice nourishes the spleen, detoxifies, and harmonizes the formula, ensuring smooth action.
Preparation
Decoct the herbs in water and drink warm as a tea, or take as pills (Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan), with dosages adjusted based on the patient’s condition, typically for short-term use in acute cases.
How It Works
Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang targets spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, a TCM condition where weak yang qi impairs digestion, causing cold-related symptoms.
The spleen and stomach, central to transforming food into energy, falter when yang is deficient, leading to poor nutrient absorption and cold accumulation. The formula works by:
Warming the Middle: Aconite and dried ginger dispel cold, restoring spleen and stomach warmth.
Replenishing Qi: Ginseng and licorice boost spleen qi, enhancing energy and digestion.
Drying Dampness: Atractylodes clears excess moisture, preventing bloating or diarrhea.
Harmonizing Functions: Licorice ensures the herbs work synergistically, supporting yang and suppressing yin-cold.
This aligns with the Huangdi Neijing principle of “treating cold with heat” and “tonifying deficiency with nourishment,” relieving symptoms like abdominal pain and cold limbs while strengthening the body’s core.
What Does It Treat?
Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang is used for spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, with symptoms including:
Abdominal pain or bloating
Diarrhea or loose stools
Cold hands and feet
Fatigue or sleepiness
Chest tightness or back pain
Poor appetite or stomach gurgling
Pale tongue with thin white or gray-black coating
Deep, weak pulse
These reflect a cold, weakened digestive system, often triggered by poor diet, stress, or chronic illness, impacting multiple organs.
Pathogenesis in TCM
In TCM, the spleen and stomach govern the middle jiao, transforming food into qi and blood. When yang qi is deficient, digestion weakens, causing:
Cold Accumulation: Yin-cold gathers, leading to abdominal pain, diarrhea, or cold limbs.
Qi Stagnation: Poor spleen function disrupts qi flow, causing bloating or chest tightness.
Blood Issues: Weak spleen qi fails to regulate blood, leading to bleeding disorders like hematemesis or metrorrhagia.
Systemic Effects: Cold weakens other organs, affecting the lungs (cough, asthma) or kidneys (urinary issues).
Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang warms the middle jiao, restores yang, and strengthens spleen function, addressing these root causes and their widespread effects.
Modern Applications
Modern research confirms Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang’s warming, anti-inflammatory, and qi-regulating effects, making it a versatile remedy for deficiency-cold conditions. Clinical uses include:
Digestive Disorders: Treats gastric ulcers, chronic colitis, gastroenteritis, and irritable bowel syndrome by warming the stomach and easing pain.
Skin Conditions: Manages atopic dermatitis by improving spleen function and reducing dampness.
Endocrine Issues: Supports diabetes management by regulating metabolism and qi.
Urinary Conditions: Addresses kidney disease or incontinence by warming the lower jiao.
Gynecological Issues: Relieves metrorrhagia or blood loss by strengthening spleen qi to regulate blood.
Mental Health: Eases anxiety or depression linked to spleen deficiency, improving mood and energy.
Respiratory Health: Treats chronic bronchitis or asthma by warming the lungs.
Other Conditions: Supports chronic nephritis, allergic purpura, or cancer sequelae by boosting overall vitality.
Its broad adaptability makes it a cornerstone for spleen-related disorders in TCM.
Precautions
Contraindications: Avoid in cases of exogenous fever, yin deficiency (dry mouth, red tongue), or damp-heat (yellow, greasy tongue coating).
Dietary Restrictions: Avoid raw, cold foods or fruits, as they worsen spleen-stomach coldness.
Side Effects: The formula’s warm, dry nature may cause dry mouth or constipation; monitor dosage and duration.
Professional Guidance: Consult a TCM practitioner to ensure proper diagnosis and safe use, especially given aconite’s potency.
Conclusion
Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang is a powerful Chinese herbal formula that warms the middle, dispels cold, and strengthens the spleen and stomach. With aconite, dried ginger, ginseng, and licorice, it relieves abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue caused by deficiency-cold, restoring energy and digestive health.
Widely used in modern TCM for ulcers, colitis, and systemic disorders, its efficacy is rooted in Zhang Zhongjing’s ancient wisdom and supported by contemporary research. Under professional guidance, Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang offers natural warmth and vitality, helping the body thrive in the face of cold and weakness.
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