HUANG QI JIAN ZHONG TANG

Qi-Tonifying & Center-Warming • Spasm-Relieving & Exterior-Consolidating Formula

Symptoms

Abdominal Pain: Chronic, dull, and persistent abdominal or epigastric pain that improves significantly with the application of local heat (heating pads) and pressure, and worsens with fatigue or fasting.

Lack of Energy (Qi Deficiency): Extreme fatigue, lassitude, shortness of breath upon minimal exertion, a pale or lusterless complexion, and a propensity for spontaneous sweating (daytime sweating without physical exertion).

Digestive Signs: Poor appetite, slow digestion, loose or pasty stools, and an intolerance to cold or raw foods.

Susceptibility to Colds: Weakness of the defensive immune system (Wei Qi), resulting in frequent respiratory infections.

Tongue: Pale and tender body, teeth marks on the margins, with a thin, white coating.

Pulse: Weak (Ruo), thready (Xi), or floating and empty.

Ingredients

Mai Ya (Yi Tang / Maltose)
Raw Herbs 30g | Granules 27.1g

Bai Shao (Paeonia lactiflora)
Raw Herbs 20g | Granules 18.0g

Huang Qi (Astragalus membranaceus)
Raw Herbs 30g | Granules 27.0g

Da Zao (Ziziphus jujuba)
Raw Herbs 5g | Granules 4.5g

Gui Zhi (Cinnamomum cassia)
Raw Herbs 10g | Granules 9.0g

Sheng Jiang (Zingiber officinale)
Raw Herbs 10g | Granules 9.0g

Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis)
Raw Herbs 6g | Granules 5.4g

Posology

Granules: 3 to 9g per day (excluding the weight of the maltose if added separately as a syrup), divided into two or three doses.

Raw Herbs: Boil in 1000–1200ml of water and drink 1 to 3 cups per day.

Description

Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang (Astragalus Decoction for Establishing the Center) is one of classical medicine’s most prestigious formulas for treating constitutional Spleen and Stomach deficiency accompanied by cold-from-deficiency and chronic fatigue.

Huang Qi acts as the key differentiating ingredient; it deeply tonifies Spleen and Lung Qi, consolidates the protective immunity (Wei Qi) to stop spontaneous sweating, and helps to lift the body's overall vital energy.

Mai Ya (Yi Tang) and Bai Shao form a fundamental sweet-and-sour synergy. Mai Ya nourishes the center and provides rapid energy, while the high dose of Bai Shao softens the Liver, relaxes muscular tension, and immediately halts abdominal pain and cramping.

Gui Zhi and Sheng Jiang warm the Middle Jiao, disperse any lingering cold, and actively promote the circulation of Yang throughout the body.

Da Zao and Gan Cao nourish the blood, harmonize the formula, and ensure the tonic actions function gently and durably within the stomach.

Contraindications

STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED in cases of excess heat, acute fevers, active intestinal inflammation (such as acute gastroenteritis), or extreme dryness from Yin Deficiency (red tongue without coating).

Do not use when there is severe abdominal fullness or damp-heat stagnation (a constant feeling of bloating/fulness that worsens with sweet or tonifying substances).