【Source】

《Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang》

 【Composition】

Ginseng (Ren Shen), Atractylodes Macrocephala (Bai Zhu), Poria (Fu Ling), (processed)Licorice Root (Gan Cao), Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang), Jujube (Da Zao)
(6)

 【Categorization】

<Invigorating Spleen and Middle Jiao>: Atractylodes Macrocephala, Licorice Root, Jujube

<Tonifying Qi>: Ginseng

<Pungent-Warm for Releasing the Exterior>: The three assisting herbs (Licorice, Ginger, Jujube), Fresh Ginger

<Invigorating Spleen and Promoting Diuresis>: Poria

【Formula Rationale】

《Yifang (Medical Formulas)》: Medications for Hand Taiyin (Lung), Foot Taiyin (Spleen), and Foot Yangming (Stomach) meridians. (1)Ginseng: Sweet and warm, greatly tonifies primal qi, acting as the chief herb. (2)Atractylodes Macrocephala: Bitter and warm, dries the spleen and tonifies qi, acting as the minister herb. (3)Poria: Sweet and bland, permeates dampness and drains heat, acting as the assistant herb. (4)Licorice Root: Sweet and neutral, harmonizes the middle burner and benefits the Earth element, acting as the envoy herb. (5) With sufficient qi and strong spleen function, appetite greatly improves, other organs benefit, and complexion brightens, body strengthens. Because all ingredients are mild and harmonizing, it is called “Gentlemen.” 《Shanbu (Supplemented and Revised Edition)》: Zhang Lu said: For those with qi deficiency, supplement with sweet flavors. Ginseng, Atractylodes, Poria, and Licorice are sweet and warm, benefiting the stomach, having the effect of strengthening and invigorating, possessing the virtue of balance and harmony, hence they are called “Gentlemen.” 《Handian (Chinese Classics)》: In this formula, Ginseng enhances the function of various organs; Atractylodes Macrocephala and Poria together eliminate retained water and assist stomach function; Licorice Root harmonizes all the herbs and promotes vigorous stomach activity.

 【Functions】

Nourishes the stomach and strengthens the spleen, tonifies Yang and benefits Qi, sweet and warm to benefit Qi, nourishes the stomach and harmonizes the middle burner.

 【Efficacy】

Deficiency syndrome with severe decline in gastrointestinal function, spleen and stomach qi deficiency, weak digestive and transport function, lack of appetite, borborygmus and diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath with pale complexion, weak voice, reduced food intake with loose stools, weakness in limbs, slow and weak or thready and soft pulse. 《Yifang (Medical Formulas)》: (1) All cases of Yang deficiency and Qi weakness, spleen decline and lung damage, poor appetite, thin body with sallow complexion, withered skin and hair loss, thready and soft pulse. 《Shanbu (Supplemented and Revised Edition)》: Pale complexion, weak voice, weakness in limbs, weak pulse.

 【Indications】

Chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, peptic ulcer, gastrointestinal hypofunction, indigestion. Patients with spleen qi deficiency due to chronic colitis, chronic hepatitis, chronic cholecystitis, morning sickness, anemia, etc.

 【Mnemonics】

(1) “White people take Gan” (白人服甘, *Bái rén fú gān*), referring to Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), Ginseng (Ren Shen), Poria (Fu Ling), and Licorice (Gan Cao). My mentor, Professor Gan Wei-song, a respected authority in medicinal plants, was even admired by Caucasians who came from afar to seek his guidance (playing on ‘Gan’ as licorice and Professor Gan’s surname). (2) “Lady Báicǎo” (白草夫人, *Báicǎo fūrén*), representing Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), Licorice (Gan Cao), Poria (Fu Ling), and Ginseng (Ren Shen), should be decocted with Fresh Ginger and Jujube.

 【Modifications】

《Shanbu (Supplemented and Revised Edition)》: (1) If there is internal injury with deficiency heat, or difficult digestion leading to sourness, processed ginger (Pao Jiang) must be added. (2) If Chen Pi (Dried Tangerine Peel) is added to this formula, it is named Wuweiyigong San (Five Flavors Marvelous Efficacy Powder), treating qi deficiency combined with qi stagnation. (3) If Ban Xia (Pinellia Ternate) is further added, it is named Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction), treating qi deficiency combined with phlegm-dampness. (4) If Sha Ren (Cardamom) and Huo Xiang (Agastache) are further added, it is named Xiangsha Liujunzi Tang (Cardamom and Agastache Six Gentlemen Decoction), treating qi deficiency combined with vomiting. These modifications all aim to tonify while also promoting digestion and eliminating stagnation. (1) If accompanied by phlegm, add Ban Xia (Pinellia Ternate) to dry dampness and resolve phlegm. (2) If there is spleen qi deficiency and cold, add Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) and Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) to warm Yang and dispel cold. (3) If accompanied by qi stagnation, add Chen Pi (Dried Tangerine Peel), Mu Xiang (Costus Root), and Sha Ren (Cardamom) to regulate qi and reduce distention. (4) If accompanied by liver blood deficiency, Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis) and Bai Shao (White Peony Root) can be added to nourish blood and soothe the liver. (5) If Huang Qi (Astragalus) and Shan Yao (Chinese Yam) are added to this formula, it is named Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction), serving as a restorative agent after illness to aid the spleen and improve appetite. (6) If Fresh Ginger and Suan Zao Ren (Spiny Jujube Seed) are added to this formula, it treats palpitations and insomnia. (7) If Zhuli (Bamboo Sap) and Ginger Juice are added to this formula, it treats hemiplegia, especially on the right side which is attributed to qi deficiency, and also sudden death from phlegm syncope. (8) If Ginseng is removed from this formula and Bai Shao (White Peony Root) is added, it is named Sanbai Tang (Three White Decoction), treating deficiency vexation, diarrhea, or thirst, serving as a remarkable formula for regulating internal injury and external contraction. (9) If Poria is removed from this formula and Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) is added, it is named Sisun Tang (Four Obedient Decoction), which can also be made into honey pills, treating yin syndrome with deep pulse, no fever, aversion to light, and abdominal pain with discomfort. (10) If Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Bian Dou (Hyacinth Bean), and a decoction of Ginger and Jujube are added to this formula, it is named Liushen San (Six Spirits Powder), treating children who develop fever again after an external heat condition has subsided. (11) If Mu Xiang (Costus Root), Huo Xiang (Agastache), and Ge Gen (Kudzu Root) are added to this formula, it becomes <a href='https://whatsintcm.com/dt_articles/七味白朮散/’>Qiwei Baizhu San (Seven Flavors Atractylodes Powder, or Baizhu San), primarily treating chronic spleen and stomach deficiency, persistent vomiting and diarrhea, depletion of essence, vexing thirst, desire for water, inability to consume milk or food, emaciation and weakness, leading to untreated cases developing into convulsions. (12) If Ban Xia (Pinellia Ternate) and Chen Pi (Dried Tangerine Peel) are added to this formula, it becomes Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction) from 《Furen Liangfang (Good Formulas for Women)》, primarily treating spleen and stomach qi deficiency with reduced appetite, fatigue, cough with abundant phlegm, chest fullness, abdominal distention, and loose stools. (13) If Chen Pi (Dried Tangerine Peel) is added to this formula, it becomes Yigong San (Marvelous Efficacy Powder) from 《Xiao’er Yaocheng Zhijue (Key to Therapeutics of Children’s Diseases)》, primarily treating poor appetite, chest and epigastric stuffiness and discomfort, or vomiting and diarrhea. (14) If accompanied by pre-dawn diarrhea, it is appropriate to add Bu Gu Zhi (Psoralea Fruit), Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia Fruit), Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Rou Dou Kou (Nutmeg), and Chi Shi Zhi (Red Halloysite) to warm the kidneys and strengthen the spleen, and astringe the intestines to stop diarrhea. (15) If it is habitual constipation in the elderly, it is appropriate to add Sheng Di (Rehmannia Root), Rou Cong Rong (Cistanche), Hou Po (Magnolia Bark), and Chen Pi (Dried Tangerine Peel) to nourish Yin and tonify the kidneys, regulate qi, and moisten the intestines.

 【Pharmacology】

It has effects such as regulating gastrointestinal motility, anti-gastric ulcer, enhancing immune function, anti-tumor, anti-mutation, promoting tissue metabolism, strengthening pituitary-adrenal cortex system function, elevating blood pressure, anti-platelet aggregation, promoting hematopoiesis, and improving circulation.