All-Inclusive Great Tonifying Decoction
Chinese Prescription: Shi Quan Da Bu Tang
English Translation: All-Inclusive Great Tonifying Decoction
Formula Type: Tonifies Qi and Blood
Actions: Warm & tonfies the qi & blood.
Indications: A wan complexion, fatigue, reduced appetite, dizziness, listlessness, dyspnea, palpitations, spontaneous sweating, night sweats, cold extremities, spermatorrhea, a pale tongue, & a thin & frail pulse. This formula is also used to treat sores that do not heal, irregular periods, or continuous spotting from uterine bleeding.
Contraindications: This is a strong tonifying formula. It must not be used for treating disordres of excess reflected in such symptoms as a thick tongue coating or a strong & forceful pulse.
| Pinyin | English | Suggested Dosage |
|---|---|---|
| view: Ren Shen |
Panax Ginseng | 6-9g |
| view: Bai Zhu |
White Atractylodes | 9-12g |
| view: Fu Ling |
Poria | 12-15g |
| view: Zhi Gan Cao |
Honey-fried Licorice | 3-6g |
| view: Shu Di Huang |
Prepared Rehmannia | 15-18g |
| view: Bai Shao Yao |
White Peony | 12-15g |
| view: Dang Gui |
Angelica Sinensis | 12-15g |
| view: Chuan Xiong |
Sichuan Lovage Rhizome / Ligusticum Wallichi | 6-9g |
| view: Rou Gui |
Cinnamon Bark | 6-9g |
| view: Huang Qi |
Astragalus | 15-18g |
| Ren Shen / Panax Ginseng | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Taste: Sweet, Slightly Bitter • Temperature: Slightly Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Qi | |||
Dosage1-9g, up to 30 grams (hemorrhagic shock) |
ActionsRen Shen / Panax Ginseng is used in treating patterns of qi, yang & yin deficiency.1. Strongly tonifies the basal qi: for extreme collapse of the qi or abandoned conditions that manifest in shallow respiration, shortness of breath, cold limbs, profuse sweating, & a minute or weak pulse. The herb is used alone for this condition after severe loss of blood. 2. Tonifies the Lungs & augments the qi: for wheezing, shortness of breath, & labored breathing with exertion caused by Lung qi deficiency. There is usually also a concurrent failure of the Kidneys to grasp the qi. 3. Strengthens the Spleen & tonifies the Stomach: for lethargy, lack of appetite, chest & abdominal distention, chronic diarrhea, & in severe cases, prolapse of the stomach, uterus, or rectum. 4. Generates fluids & stops thirst: for wasting & thirsting disorders, as well as in cases when the qi & fluids have been injured by high fever & profuse sweating. 5. Benefits the Heart qi & calms the spirit: for palpitations with anxiety, insomnia, forgetfulness, & restlessness due to qi & blood deficiency. Notes: Red Ginseng is more warming than White Ginseng. American Ginseng is considered cool and is better suited for those patients having a tendency towards heat signs. |
MeridiansLung, Spleen |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with heat signs, heat excess, or in the absence of significant qi deficiency. Contraindicated for hypertensive patient with ascendant Liver yang, & in cases of very high blood pressure (systolic over 180mmHg). Overdose can lead to headache, insomnia, palpitations, & a rise in blood pressure. The traditional antidote is mung bean soup. This herb may antagonize wu ling zhi & may be incompatible with li lu. Patients taking this herb are advised to abstain from drinking tea & eating tunips, as this may reduce the effect of the herb. |
| Bai Zhu / Atractylodes (White) Rhizome | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Taste: Bitter, Sweet • Temperature: Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Qi | |||
Dosage4.5-9g |
Actions1. Tonifies the Spleen & augments the qi: for Spleen or Stomach deficiency with such symptoms as diarrhea, fatigue, lack of appetite, & vomiting.2. Strengthens the Spleen & dries dampness: for digestive disorders due to Spleen yang failing to rise, with loss of its ability to transform & subsequent accumulation of dampness. Also for edema & reduced urination associated with Spleen deficiency. Used as an auxiliary herb for damp painful obstruction. 3. Stabilizes the exterior & stops sweating: for spontaneous sweating due to qi deficiency. 4. Strengthens the Spleen & calms the fetus: for restless fetus disorder, especially when due to Spleen deficiency. Also for other types of this disorder when combined with appropriate herbs. |
MeridiansSpleen, Stomach |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with heat signs, or injured fluids. |
| Fu Ling / Poria, Hoelen, Tuckahoe | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Taste: Sweet, Bland • Temperature: Neutral • Category: Drain Damp • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage9-15g, up to 60g |
Actions1. Promotes urination & leaches out dampness: for urinary difficulty, diarrhea, or edema due to stagnation of fluids or dampness. Also used in cases of scanty urine due to damp-heat (more often in its red form).2. Strengthens the Spleen & harmonizes the middle burner: for Spleen deficiency compounded by dampness with such symptoms as loss of appetite, diarrhea, & epigastric distention. 3. Strengthens the Spleen & transforms phlegm: for Spleen deficiency with congested fluids in which phlegm moves upward with such symptoms as palpitations, headache, dizziness, & a thick, greasy tongue coating. 4. Quites the Heart & calms the spirit: for palpiations, insomnia, or forgetfulness. |
MeridiansHeart, Spleen, Lung |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of frequent, copious urine due to cold from deficiency. May counteract di yu, qin jiao & bie jia. Taking this herb in large doses or long-term is discouraged. |
| Zhi Gan Cao / Licorice Root, honey-baked | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Qi | |||
Dosage2-12g |
Actions1. Tonifies the Spleen & augments the qi: commonly used for Spleen deficiency with shortness of breath, lassitude, & loose stools. Also for qi or blood deficiency patterns with an irregular or intermittent pulse & /or palpitations.2. Moistens the Lungs & stops coughing: for coughing & wheezing. Because of its neutral properties, it can be used for either heat or cold in the Lungs. 3. Clears heat & relieves fire toxicity: used raw for carbuncles, sores, or sore throat due to fire toxin. For this purpose, it can be taken internally or applied topically. 4. Moderates spasms & alleviates pain: for painful spasms of the abdomen or legs. 5. Moderates & harmonizes the characteristics of other herbs: by virtue of its sweet, neutral, & moderating properties, this herb moderates hot & cold herbs, & mitigates the violent properties of other herbs. Since it is said to enter all 12 primary channels, it can lead & conduct other herbs into the channels. 6. Used as an antidote for a variety of toxic substances, both internally & topically. 7. The raw root clears heat & relieves toxicity, the honey-fried tonifies the middle & moderates spasms. |
MeridiansAll 12 channels (principally the Heart, Lung, Spleen, & Stomach) |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of excess dampness, nausea, or vomiting. May be in compatible with jing da ji, yuan hua, gan sui, & hai zao, & may antagonize yuan zhi. The toxicity of gan cao is very low, but if taken long-term it may cause hypertension &/or edema. Glycyrrhetinic acid has been reported to cause a reduction in the activity of the thyroid & a reducation in the basal metabolic rate. |
| Shu Di Huang / Rehmannia Root, cooked in wine | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Slightly Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Blood | |||
Dosage9-30g |
Actions1. Tonifies the blood: for blood deficiency with such symptoms as pallid complexion, dizziness, palpitations, & insomnia. Very commonly used when blood deficiency leads to such problems as irregular menstruation, uterine bleeding, & post partum bleeding.2. Nourishes the yin: for Kidney yin deficiency with such symptoms as night sweats, nocturnal emissions, steaming bone disorder, & wasting & thirsting disorder. 3. Nourishes the blood & tonifies the essence: for low back pain, weakness of the lower extremitites, lightheadedness & dizziness, tinnitus, diminished aural acuity, & premature graying of hair due to exhaused blood & essence. |
MeridiansHeart, Kidney, Liver |
CautionsUse with caution in cases of Spleen &/or Stomach deficiency, & in cases of stagnant qi or phlegm. Overuse can lead to abdominal distention & loose stools. Toxicity: Side effects from using shu di huang are mild & include diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, lack of energy, & palpitations. These symptoms usually disappear with continued administration of the herb. |
| Bai Shao Yao / Peony (White) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Taste: Bitter, Sour • Temperature: Cool • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Blood | |||
Dosage6-15g, very large doses up to 30 g |
Actions1. Nourishes the blood & regulates the menses: for blood deficiency with such symptoms as menstrual dysfunction, vaginal discharge, & uterine bleeding. This is a very commonly used herb for treating women's disorders.2. Calms & curbs the Liver yang & alleviates pain: for such symptoms as flank, chest, or abdominal pain from either constrained Liver qi or disharmony between the Liver & Spleen. In general, this herb is used to "soften & comfort" the Liver, stop painful spasms in the abdomen, stop cramping pain or spasms in the hands & feet, & alleviate abdominal pain associated with dysentric disorders. It is also used for headache & dizziness due to ascendant Liver yang. 3. Preserves the yin & adjusts the nutritive & protective levels: for vaginal discharge & spermatorrhea, as well as exterior wind-cold from deficiency patterns with continuous sweating that does not resolve the problem. It is also used for yin deficiency where the yang floats to the surface causing spontaneous sweating or night sweats. |
MeridiansLiver, Spleen |
CautionsUse with caution in cases of diarrhea due to cold from deficiency, & in patients with weak yang & cold from deficiency. May antagonize shi hu & mang xiao, may counteract with bie jia & xiao ji, & may be incompatible with li lu. |
| Dang Gui / Angelica (Chinese) Root | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Taste: Sweet, Acrid, Bitter • Temperature: Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Blood | |||
Dosage3-15g |
Actions1. Tonifies the blood & regulates the meses: for patterns of blood deficiency with such symptoms as a pallid, ashen complexion, tinnitus, blurred vision, & palpitations. Also very commonly used fro blood deficiency associated with menstrual disorders such as irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, etc.2. Invigorates & harmonizes the blood & disperses cold: an important herb for stopping pain due to blood stasis. Commonly used for abdominal pain, traumatic injury, & carbuncles due to blood stasis, especially when there is also cold from deficiency. Also used in the treatment of blood deficiency with chronic wind-damp painful obstruction. 3. Moistens the Intestiones & unblocks the bowels: for dry Intestines due to blood deficiency. 4. Reduces swelling, expels pus, generates flesh, & alleviates pain: used in treating sores & abscesses where its ability to both tonify & invigorate the blood leads to improvement. |
MeridiansHeart, Liver, Spleen |
CautionsUse with caution in cases of diarrhea or abdominal distention due to damp obstruction. Contraindicated for yin deficiency with heat signs. |
| Chuan Xiong / Lovage Root (Ligusticum) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Taste: Acrid • Temperature: Warm • Category: Regulate Blood • Sub Category: Invigorate Blood | |||
Dosage3-6g, up to 9g for irregular menstruation |
Actions1. Invigorates the blood & promotes the movement of qi: for any blood stasis pattern. This is an important herb in gynecology & is used for such problems as dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, difficult labor, or lochioschesis. It is also indicated for patterns of stagnant qi & blood stasis with pain & soreness in the chest, flanks, & hypochondria.2. Expels wind & alleviates pain: a leading herb for any externally contracted wind disorder characterized by headache, dizziness, or painful obsstruction. Also used for a variety of skin problems caused by wind. 3. Headaches: moves the qi upward & alleviates pain. Depending with which other herbs it is combined, it can be used for headaches due to wind, heat, cold, or blood deficiency. |
MeridiansLiver, Gallbladder, Pericardium |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with heat signs, headaches due to ascendant Liver yang, qi deficiency, or excessive menstrual bleeding. Vomiting & dizziness may occur from overdosage. May antagonize shan zhu yu & huang qi, may counteract hua shi & huang lian, & may be incompatible with li lu. |
| Rou Gui / Cinnamon, (inner bark) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Taste: Acrid, Sweet • Temperature: Hot • Category: Warm Interior & Expel Cold • Sub Category: | |||
Dosage1.5-4.5g, crush into small pieces before using, usually taken as powder, pill or tincture to avoid loss of volatile oils |
Actions1. Warms the Kidneys & fortifies the yang: for a wide variety of problems due to insufficiency of Kidney yang & waning of the gate of vitality. Common manifestations include aversion to cold, cold limbs, weak back, impotence, frequent urination. Also for waning of the Spleen & Kidney yang with abdominal pain & cold, reduced appetite, & diarrhea. Also important for wheezing due to the failure of the Kidneys to grasp the qi.2. Leads the fire back to its source: the principal herb for treating the upward-floating of the deficient yang. Manifestations include flushed face, wheezing, severe sweating (when the sweat pours out like oil), weak & cold lower extremities, & a deficient & rootless pulse. This patterns is called illusionary heat & true cold, or heat above/cold below. Also used for other conditions where the upper part of the body is hot (e.g., dry mouth, sore throat, or toothache that become worse at night) & the lower part is cold (e.g., lower back pain, cold lower extremities, diarrhea, weakness in the proximal position of the pulse). 3. Disperses deep cold, warms the channels, unblocks the channels & vessels, & alleviates pain: for deep cold causing qi stagnation or blood stasis. Associated problems include cold in the blood causing amenorrhea or dysmenorrhea, damp-cold painful obstruction, yin type boils (chronic sores that are usually concave & ooze a clear fluid), & abcesses or sores that do not heal. 4. Encourages the generation of qi & blood: with qi & blood tonics as an auxiliary herb for chronic deficiency of qi & blood. |
MeridiansHeart, Kidney, Liver, Spleen |
CautionsContraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with heat signs, interior excess heat, & the reckless movement of hot blood. Use with caution during pregnancy. |
| Huang Qi / Astragalus | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Taste: Sweet • Temperature: Slightly Warm • Category: Tonic • Sub Category: Tonify Qi | |||
Dosage9-30g, 30-60g exceptional cases |
Actions1. Tonifies the Spleen & augments the qi: for Spleen deficiency presenting with lack of appetite, fatigue, & diarrhea.2. Raises the yang qi of the Spleen & Stomach: for prolapse disorders such as prolapsed uterus, stomach, or rectum; also for uterine bleeding. 3. Augments the protective qi & stabilizes the exterior: for deficiency with spontaneous sweating, as the herb stabilizes the protective qi. It also tonifies the Lungs & is used for frequent colds or shortness of breath. Depending on the combination of herbs, it may be used for excessive sweating associated with qi, yang, or yin deficiency. Its action in stabilizing the exterior may be used to produce a therapeutic sweat when diaphoretics do not work. 4. Tonifies the qi & blood: for post partum fever due to qi & blood deficiency. Also used in the recovery stage from severe loss of blood. 5. Promotes urination & reduces edema: for edema from deficiency. 6. Promotes the discharge of pus & generates flesh: for chronic ulceration & sores due to deficiency that have formed pus but have not drained or healed well. 7. In appropriate circumstances, for wasting & thirsting disorder, numbness of the limbs, paralysis, & painful obstruction. |
MeridiansLung, Spleen |
CautionsSince this herb raises the yang, tonifies the qi, & stabilizes the exterior, it should no be used in cases of exterior excess, qi stagnation, damp obstruction, food stagnation, yin deficiency with heat signs, or skin lesions neither in their early stages nor where there is heat toxin. |
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