Sheng Yu Tang: A Classic Formula for Nourishing Qi and Blood
- Health Lab
- May 22
- 3 min read
Sheng Yu Tang comes from the Yuan Dynasty physician Li Dongyuan’s Lan Shi Mi Cang (Secrets of the Orchid Chamber). It is used to treat symptoms caused by qi and blood deficiency, such as irritability, insomnia, excessive bleeding, blood deficiency, and related issues. In ancient times, stress and environmental factors often led to qi and blood deficiency, causing significant discomfort.
Li Dongyuan detailed the formula’s composition and uses in Lan Shi Mi Cang, emphasizing its effectiveness in boosting qi and nourishing blood.
Formula Explanation of Sheng Yu Tang
Sheng Yu Tang consists of six herbs: Shu Di Huang, Sheng Di Huang, Chuan Xiong, Ren Shen, Dang Gui Shen, and Huang Qi. These are organized according to the Chinese medicine principle of “monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy”:
Monarch Herbs: Ren Shen, Huang Qi. These greatly boost vital energy. Ren Shen (warm) strengthens qi, supports the heart and spleen, and enhances vitality; Huang Qi (warm) boosts qi and strengthens the body’s surface defenses.
Supporting Herbs: Dang Gui Shen, Chuan Xiong. These nourish and activate blood. Dang Gui Shen (warm) nourishes blood and improves deficiency; Chuan Xiong (warm) promotes blood and qi flow, enhancing circulation and clearing toxins.
Assistant/Envoy Herbs: Shu Di Huang, Sheng Di Huang. These nourish blood and yin. Shu Di Huang (warm) nourishes blood and yin, improving deficiency; Sheng Di Huang (cold) clears heat, cools blood, generates fluids, and harmonizes the formula.
Pathogenesis Analysis of Sheng Yu Tang
Sheng Yu Tang targets symptoms from qi and blood deficiency, particularly excessive bleeding from sores, irritability, insomnia, blood deficiency, thirst, restlessness, excessive pus from sores, and heat in the palms and soles.
In Chinese medicine, qi and blood are the foundation of life. Qi drives blood, and blood nourishes qi; they rely on each other. When both are deficient, the body’s vitality weakens, lowering resistance and causing symptoms.
Sheng Yu Tang works by boosting qi, nourishing blood, clearing heat, cooling blood, and generating fluids to address these issues and improve overall health.
Indications and Effects of Sheng Yu Tang
Sheng Yu Tang works by boosting qi, nourishing blood, enriching yin, clearing heat, cooling blood, and producing fluids. This effectively relieves symptoms of qi and blood deficiency.
The formula’s herbs have specific roles: Ren Shen and Huang Qi greatly boost vital energy to ease irritability, insomnia, bleeding, and blood deficiency. Dang Gui Shen and Chuan Xiong nourish and move blood to improve deficiency.
Shu Di Huang and Sheng Di Huang enrich blood and yin, clear heat, cool blood, produce fluids, and balance the formula.
Modern Applications
In modern medicine, Sheng Yu Tang is widely used for conditions related to qi and blood deficiency. Its main applications include:
Menstrual Irregularities: Sheng Yu Tang effectively treats irregular periods by boosting qi, nourishing blood, enriching yin, clearing heat, and producing fluids. It relieves symptoms like irregular cycles, heavy or scanty pale flow, watery discharge, a feeling of emptiness in the lower abdomen, palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, poor appetite, a pale tongue, thin white coating, and a thin, soft pulse.
Anemia: The formula helps with anemia by nourishing qi and blood, easing symptoms like irritability, insomnia, bleeding, and blood deficiency.
Low Immunity: Sheng Yu Tang boosts the body’s immune system by nourishing qi and blood, reducing frequent illnesses and improving overall resistance.
Precautions
When using Sheng Yu Tang, consider the following:
Pattern Differentiation: This formula is for qi and blood deficiency symptoms, such as pale complexion, irritability, pale tongue with thin white coating, and a thin, weak pulse. Consult a Chinese medicine practitioner to confirm it suits the patient’s symptoms and constitution.
Individual Differences: People have different body types, so adjust the formula based on individual needs under professional guidance.
Contraindications: Avoid in cases of excess heat, true fire, or excess conditions, as the formula’s warming and nourishing nature may worsen these.
Conclusion
Sheng Yu Tang, a time-tested Chinese medicine formula from Lan Shi Mi Cang, is a classic remedy for symptoms caused by qi and blood deficiency. Its unique blend and proven effectiveness make it highly valued. By boosting qi, nourishing blood, clearing heat, and producing fluids, it addresses a range of symptoms, enhancing health and quality of life. Understanding its uses and precautions helps ensure the best results.
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