Gui Pi Tang: A Classic TCM Formula for Heart, Spleen, and Emotional Balance
Health Lab- Oct 31, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: May 9
Gui Pi Tang, a cherished Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula, is a gentle yet powerful remedy for nourishing the heart, strengthening the spleen, and calming the mind. Originating from Ji Sheng Fang (Formulas to Aid the Living) by Yan Yonghe in the Song Dynasty, this time-honored prescription addresses deficiencies in qi and blood, promoting emotional stability and mental clarity.
Its blend of herbs reflects ancient TCM wisdom, offering a natural solution for modern-day fatigue, anxiety, and digestive challenges.
Origins and Background of Gui Pi Tang
Developed during the Song Dynasty, Gui Pi Tang was crafted to treat conditions caused by spleen qi deficiency and heart blood deficiency, which often manifest as fatigue, poor memory, or emotional distress.
In an era when overthinking, poor diet, and stress were common, this formula became a beacon of relief, restoring vitality and mental balance. Its focus on the spleen and heart—the core organs for energy and emotional health—makes it a versatile remedy for today’s fast-paced world.
Ingredients and Their Benefits
Gui Pi Tang combines twelve herbs, each contributing to its nourishing and calming effects:
Astragalus Root (Huang Qi): Sweet and warm, astragalus boosts spleen qi, lifts energy, and strengthens immunity.
Ginseng (Ren Shen): Warm and sweet, ginseng revitalizes qi, combats fatigue, and supports digestion.
White Atractylodes (Bai Zhu): Warm and sweet, atractylodes fortifies the spleen, dries dampness, and aids digestion.
Poria (Fu Ling): Mild and sweet, poria strengthens the spleen, clears dampness, and calms the mind.
Sour Jujube Seed (Suan Zao Ren): Sweet and neutral, jujube seed nourishes the heart, calms the spirit, and promotes restful sleep.
Longan Fruit (Long Yan Rou): Sweet and warm, longan fruit nourishes blood, soothes the heart, and eases anxiety.
Angelica Root (Dang Gui): Warm and pungent, angelica enriches blood, supports circulation, and relieves tension.
Polygala Root (Yuan Zhi): Bitter and warm, polygala calms the mind, clears phlegm, and enhances mental clarity.
Licorice Root (Gan Cao): Sweet and harmonizing, licorice boosts spleen qi and unifies the formula.
Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi): Aromatic and warm, tangerine peel regulates qi and supports digestion.
Jujube Date (Da Zao): Sweet and warm, jujube date nourishes the spleen and blood, enhancing energy.
Ginger (Sheng Jiang): Spicy and warm, ginger warms the stomach and supports digestion.
Together, these herbs restore spleen qi, nourish heart blood, and promote emotional and physical harmony.
Benefits and Conditions Treated
Gui Pi Tang excels at treating spleen qi and heart blood deficiencies, which lead to fatigue, poor concentration, and emotional instability.
It’s ideal for those feeling overwhelmed, forgetful, or physically weak. Its key effects include:
Boosting Energy and Qi: It strengthens the spleen, combating fatigue and weakness.
Nourishing Blood: It replenishes heart blood, easing palpitations and improving mental clarity.
Calming the Mind: It soothes anxiety, insomnia, and overthinking, promoting emotional balance.
Supporting Digestion: It enhances spleen function, relieving poor appetite or bloating.
Common Symptoms
This formula is ideal for:
Chronic fatigue, weakness, or shortness of breath.
Poor memory, difficulty concentrating, or overthinking.
Insomnia, anxiety, or heart palpitations.
Pale complexion, dizziness, or irregular menstruation.
Pale tongue with a thin white coating and a weak pulse.
Practical Applications
Fatigue and Weakness: Gui Pi Tang revitalizes those feeling drained or lacking stamina due to spleen qi deficiency.
Emotional Distress: It calms anxiety, overthinking, or insomnia caused by heart blood deficiency.
Cognitive Support: It improves memory and focus for those struggling with mental fog.
Women’s Health: It supports irregular or scanty periods linked to blood deficiency.
Clinical Uses
Gui Pi Tang is widely used for:
Chronic fatigue syndrome or general weakness.
Anxiety, depression, or insomnia.
Cognitive issues like poor memory or brain fog.
Menstrual irregularities or postpartum weakness.
Digestive disorders like poor appetite or bloating.
Cardiovascular symptoms like palpitations from blood deficiency.
Modern research supports its benefits: astragalus and ginseng boost immunity and energy, sour jujube seed has sedative effects, and longan fruit supports emotional health, making this formula a versatile tonic.
Dietary Support
Pairing Gui Pi Tang with nourishing recipes can enhance its energy-boosting and calming 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 spleen qi and energy.
Longan and Red Date Soup
Ingredients: 20g longan fruit, 10 red dates (jujubes).
Method: Boil longan and dates in water until soft, serve warm.
Benefits: Nourishes blood and calms the mind.
Lotus Seed Porridge
Ingredients: 20g lotus seeds, 100g rice.
Method: Boil lotus seeds and rice in water until soft, sweeten lightly if desired.
Benefits: Supports spleen health and soothes the heart.
Ginger Tea
Ingredients: 5g fresh ginger slices.
Method: Steep in boiling water for 5 minutes, drink warm.
Benefits: Warms the stomach and aids digestion.
Massage Support
Massage can complement Gui Pi Tang by promoting energy flow and calming the mind:
Zusanli Point: Three inches below the knee, on the outer shin. Massage for 5 minutes to boost spleen qi.
Shenmen Point: On the wrist, near the pinky side in the crease. Massage for 5 minutes to calm the heart.
Sanyinjiao Point: Three inches above the inner ankle. Massage for 5 minutes to nourish blood and support the spleen.
Xinshu Point: On the back, between the shoulder blades. Massage for 5 minutes to strengthen heart energy.
Precautions
Gui Pi Tang is gentle 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 blood-moving herbs.
Excessive Dampness: Those with heavy phlegm or bloating should consult a TCM expert to avoid qi stagnation.
Medical Supervision: Always follow a practitioner’s advice for safe use.
Conclusion
Gui Pi Tang is a TCM treasure, blending astragalus, sour jujube seed, and longan fruit to nourish the heart, strengthen the spleen, and calm the mind. Whether you’re battling fatigue, anxiety, or poor memory, this formula offers gentle relief.
Enhance its benefits with longan soup or lotus seed porridge, and consult a TCM practitioner for personalized guidance. Let this ancient remedy restore your energy and emotional balance in today’s demanding world.
Chinese Name | 歸脾湯 |
Phonetic | Gui Pi Tang |
English Name | Spleen-Restoring Decoction |
Classification | Tonic formulas |
Source | 《Categorized Synopsis of the Whole》Zheng Ti Lei Yao《正體類要》 |
Combination | Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Bai Zhu) 1 qian (3g), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui) 1 qian (3g), Poria (Fu Ling) 1 qian (3g), Astragali Radix (Huang Qi) 1 qian (3g), Polygalae Radix (Yuan Zhi) 1 qian (3g), Longan Arillus (Long Yan Rou) 1 qian (3g), Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (Suan Zao Ren dry-fried) 1 qian (3g), Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Ren Shen) 1 qian (6g), Aucklandiae Radix (Mu Xiang) 5 fen (1.5g), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle (Zhi Gan Cao) 3 fen (1g) |
Method | Add all of the medicinals of the formula, plus sheng jiang and da zao, into water and decoct them. |
Action | Boosts qi, supplements blood; fortifies the spleen, and nourishes the heart. |
Indication | 1. Qi and blood deficiency of the heart and spleen marked by palpitations, amnesia, insomnia, night sweat, deficiency-heat, tiredness, reduced food intake, withered-sallow complexion, a pale tongue with a thin, white coating, and thready, weak pulses. 2. Spleen deficiency that fails to control the blood marked by hematochezia, subcutaneous purpura, flooding and spotting (beng lou), early menstruation, profuse pale menses, persistent vaginal bleeding, a pale tongue, and thready, weak pulses. |
Pathogenesis | Gui Pi Tang is used to treat qi and blood depletion due to overthinking or overwork. Overthinking damages the spleen. The spleen controls thinking and keeps the blood within the vessels. Therefore, patients manifest tiredness, anorexia, and deficiency-heat. Overwork injures the heart. The heart stores the spirit and governs blood and vessels. Therefore, patients present with blood insufficiency signs including palpitations, amnesia, insomnia, and night sweat. The other symptoms such as withered-sallow complexion, a pale tongue with a thin, white coating, and thready, slow pulses all indicate qi and blood insufficiency. Spleen deficiency and qi-blood deficiency is the basic pathology. |
Application | 1. Essential pattern differentiation Gui Pi Tang is commonly used to treat qi and blood deficiency of the heart and spleen. This clinical pattern is marked by palpitations, insomnia, lassitude, anorexia, hematochezia, flooding and spotting, pale tongue, thready, weak pulse. 2. Modern applications Gui Pi Tang is often used to treat the following diseases with patterns identified as spleen-heart qi-blood deficiency or spleen failing to govern the blood: bleeding resulting from gastro-duodenal ulcer, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, aplastic anemia, thrombopenic purpura, neurasthenia, and cardiopathy. |
Remark | 1. Aucklandia lappa is listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix I. This speice is highly protected and the wild specice for commercial trade purposes is banned. 2. 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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