Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng (补中益气汤, Tonify the Middle and Augment Qi Decoction) is a Chinese herbal formula from the Tonify category, with Huáng Qí as chief herb. It contains Huáng Qí, Rén Shēn, Bái Zhú, Zhì Gān Cǎo, Dāng Guī, Chén Pí, Shēng Má, Chái Hú, Shēng Jiāng and Dà Zǎo. Actions: tonifies Middle Jiao qi; raises sunken Yang; treats chronic fever from qi deficiency.
| Pinyin | Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng (Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 补中益气汤 |
| English | Tonify the Middle and Augment Qi Decoction |
| Category | Tonify |
| Chief | Huáng Qí |
| Tongue | Pale |
| Pulse | Frail, soft |
Ingredients
| Herb | Dose |
|---|---|
| Huáng Qí | 15–30g |
| Rén Shēn | 9g (or Dǎng Shēn 15g) |
| Bái Zhú | 9g |
| Zhì Gān Cǎo | 9g |
| Dāng Guī | 9g |
| Chén Pí | 6g |
| Shēng Má | 6g |
| Chái Hú | 3–6g |
| Shēng Jiāng | 3pc |
| Dà Zǎo | 6pc |
Actions
Tonifies Middle Jiao qi; raises sunken Yang; treats chronic fever from qi deficiency
Indications
Spleen qi sinking: prolapse of organs, chronic diarrhoea; deficiency fever; qi deficiency fatigue
Formulas with similar ingredients
- Rén Shēn Yǎng Yíng Tāng shares Huáng Qí, Rén Shēn, Bái Zhú, Zhì Gān Cǎo, Dāng Guī, Chén Pí, Shēng Jiāng and Dà Zǎo. Only Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng has Shēng Má and Chái Hú; only Rén Shēn Yǎng Yíng Tāng has Fú Líng, Shú Dì Huáng, Bái Sháo, Ròu Guì, Wǔ Wèi Zǐ and Yuǎn Zhì.
- Guī Pí Tāng shares Huáng Qí, Rén Shēn, Bái Zhú, Zhì Gān Cǎo, Dāng Guī, Shēng Jiāng and Dà Zǎo. Only Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng has Chén Pí, Shēng Má and Chái Hú; only Guī Pí Tāng has Fú Shén, Suān Zǎo Rén, Lóng Yǎn Ròu, Mù Xiāng and Yuǎn Zhì.
- Fáng Jǐ Huáng Qí Tāng shares Huáng Qí, Bái Zhú, Zhì Gān Cǎo, Shēng Jiāng and Dà Zǎo. Only Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng has Rén Shēn, Dāng Guī, Chén Pí, Shēng Má and Chái Hú; only Fáng Jǐ Huáng Qí Tāng has Fáng Jǐ.
- Bā Zhēn Tāng shares Rén Shēn, Bái Zhú, Zhì Gān Cǎo, Dāng Guī, Shēng Jiāng and Dà Zǎo. Only Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng has Huáng Qí, Chén Pí, Shēng Má and Chái Hú; only Bā Zhēn Tāng has Fú Líng, Shú Dì Huáng, Bái Sháo and Chuān Xiōng.
- Xiǎo Chái Hú Tāng shares Rén Shēn, Zhì Gān Cǎo, Chái Hú, Shēng Jiāng and Dà Zǎo. Only Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng has Huáng Qí, Bái Zhú, Dāng Guī, Chén Pí and Shēng Má; only Xiǎo Chái Hú Tāng has Huáng Qín and Bàn Xià.
Test yourself
What herbs are in Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng?
Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng contains Huáng Qí 15–30g, Rén Shēn 9g (or Dǎng Shēn 15g), Bái Zhú 9g, Zhì Gān Cǎo 9g, Dāng Guī 9g, Chén Pí 6g, Shēng Má 6g, Chái Hú 3–6g, Shēng Jiāng 3pc and Dà Zǎo 6pc.
What is Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng used for?
Spleen qi sinking: prolapse of organs, chronic diarrhoea; deficiency fever; qi deficiency fatigue.
What are the actions of Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng?
Tonifies Middle Jiao qi; raises sunken Yang; treats chronic fever from qi deficiency.
What tongue and pulse go with Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng?
Tongue: Pale. Pulse: Frail, soft.
Use Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng in a case
Shen Study cases ask you to name the pattern, then choose the formula and points, and explain why.
Practise a TCM caseShen Study is a study tool. Doses are as taught in standard formula texts; they are not prescribing advice.