Bŭ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng

Question 1

Actions

Answer 1

Tonifies the middle burner, augments the qi, raises the yang, and lifts what has sunken.

Question 2

Indications

Answer 2

Spleen and Stomach deficiency with inability to raise the clear: dizziness, unsteadiness, impaired or unclear vision, deafness, tinnitus, shortness of breath, laconic speech, weak voice, shiny, pale complexion, reduced intake of food, loose stools, T: pale, P: frail

Qi deficiency fever: intermittent fever worsens upon exertion, spontaneous sweating, aversion to cold, thirst for warm beverages, T: pale, swollen, P: large but forceless

Sinking of the middle burner qi: hemorrhoids, rectal or uterine prolapse, prolapse of the internal organs, chronic diarrhea or dysentery, irregular uterine bleeding, reduced intake of food, loose stools, T: pale, P: deficient and soft

Question 3

Diagnostic Pattern

Answer 3

Spleen and Stomach deficiency with inability to raise the clear; Qi deficiency fever; sinking of the middle burner qi.

Question 4

Herbs

Answer 4

huáng qí
rén shēn
bái zhú
zhì gān căo
jiŭ xĭ dāng guī
chén pí
shēng má
chái hú

Question 5

huáng qí

Answer 5

strongly augments the qi (particularly superficial aspect) and raises the yang qi of the Spleen and Stomach
addresses root while also preventing further loss of qi through leakage to the outside

Question 6

rén shēn + bái zhú + zhì gān căo

Answer 6

sweet, warm
tonify the qi of the middle burner

Question 7

jiŭ xĭ dāng guī

Answer 7

tonifies the qi in the blood
works synergistically with qi-tonifying herbs to augment the qi by invigorating the blood
moistens and fills the blood, thereby preventing the warming and drying qi tonics from damaging the yin

Question 8

chén pí

Answer 8

regulates the qi
facilitates digestion of the tonifying herbs (rich and cloying) and thereby increases their effectiveness
qi regulating properties contribute slightly to qi-raising action of the formula

Question 9

shēng má + chái hú

Answer 9

help raise sunken yang qi

Question 10

Cautions and Contraindications

Answer 10

Contraindicated for fever due to heat from yin deficiency or for excess disorders caused by contraction of external pathogens. Also contraindicated for patterns rooted in deficiency of the lower base. Only for instances of prolapse due to qi deficiency.