Herbs that Tonify the Qi

Question 1

Ren Shen

Answer 1

sweet, sl bitter, sl warm
LU, SP
3-9 (usually cooked seperatedly in a double boiler with the resulting liquid added to the strained decoction)(.5-1 directly as a powder)(Up to 30 in emergancies)
1. Powerfully tonifies the primal qi (extreme collapse of qi or abandoned conditions. Used alone)
2. Strengthen the SP and tonifiy the ST (variety of issues)
3. Tonifies the LU and augments the qi (LU qi deficiency. Usually concurrent failure of the KD to grasp the qi)
4. Generates fluids and stops thirst (wasting and thirsting d/o as well as cases when the qi has been injured by high fever and profuse sweating.)
5. Benefits the HT qi and calms the spirit (HT qi and blood deficiency)
6. Miscellaneous adjunctive effect (whenever stronger primal qi will indierectly help)

Question 2

Dang Shen

Answer 2

sweet, neutral
LU, SP
6-9 (up to 30)
1. Tonifies the middle burner and augments the qi (SP qi deficiency or collapsed SP qi)
2. Tonifies the LU (LU deficiency with chronic cough and SOB or copious sputum dt SP qi deficiency)
3. Also used with herbs that release the exterior or drain downward when presentations include signifigant Qi deficiency. Supports the normal.

Question 3

Tai Zi Shen

Answer 3

sweet, sl bitter, neutral
LU, SP
9-30
1. Strengthens the SP and augments the qi (SP and ST deficiency. LU qi deficeincy with spontaneous sweating)
2. Generates fluids (thirst and injury to fluids after a febrile disease.)

Question 4

Huang Qi

Answer 4

sweet, sl warm
LU, SP
9-15 (up to 30)
1. Tonifies qi and blood (post partum fever dt qi and blood deficiency. Also for recovery stage from severe loss of blood)
2. Tonifies the SP and raises the yang (SP deficiency with wide variety of problems)
3. Augments the protective qi and stabilizes the exterior (deficiency with spontanous sweating- stabilizes the protective qi. Tonifies LU, used for frequent colds or shortness of breath. Excessive sweating)
4. Promotes urination and reduces edema (edema from deficiency marked by superficial edema and reduced urination. Stand alone)
5. Promotes discharge of pus and generates flesh (chronic ulcerations and sores dt deficiency that either have trouble forming pus or have formed pus but are not draining or healing well)
6. Wasting thirsting d/o, numbness of the limbs, paralysis, bi

Question 5

Shan Yao

Answer 5

sweet, neutral
KD, LU, SP
9-30 (up to 60-240)
1. Tonifies and augments the SP and ST (SP and ST deficiency)
2. Tonifies the LU qi and augments the LU yin (chronic cough or wheezing dt LU deficiency)
3. Tonifies the KD and also stabalizes and binds (moistens without being hot or cold, therefore tonifies both yin and yang of LU and KD. Good for wasting thirsting)

Question 6

Bai Zhu

Answer 6

bitter, sweet, warm
SP, ST
6-15
1. Tonifies the SP and augments the Qi (SP or ST deficiency)
2. Dries dampness and promotes water metabolism (accumulation of fluids affecting digestion as well as edema and reduced urination dt SP deficiency and its failure to transfrom and transport. Auxiliary herb for damp bi)
3. Stabalizes the exterior and stops sweating (spontaneous sweating dt qi deficiency. Can be used for other types of sweating)
4. Calms the fetus (restless fetus d/o esp dt SP deficiency.)

Question 7

Da Zao

Answer 7

sweet, warm
SP, ST
3-12 dates or 10-30 g
1. Tonifies the SP and augments the qi (SP and ST deficiency)
2. Nourishes the blood and calms the spirit (restless organ disorder)
3. Moderates and harmonizes the harsh properties of other herbs

Question 8

Gan Cao

Answer 8

sweet, neutral (unprepared), sweet warm (prepared)
All 12 channels. Esp HT, LU, SP, ST
1.5-9 (up to 15-30)
1. Tonifies the SP and augments the qi (SP deficiency. Qi or blood deficiency patterns with irregular or intermittent pulse and/or palpitations)
2. Moistens LU and stops coughs (cough and wheezing dt either heat or cold in LU and either productive or non-producive coughs)
3. Moderates spasms and alleviates pain (painful spasms of the abdomen or legs usually only with Bai Shao)
4. Clears heat and resolves fire toxicity (unprepared- either internally or applied topically)
5, Antidote for many toxic substances
6. Moderates and harmonizes characteristics of other herbs

Question 9

Ci Wu Jia

Answer 9

acrid, sl bitter, warm
SP, HT, KD
9-30
1. Tonifies the SP and ST qi to aid transportation and transformation, warms the KD to aid the yang in warming the SP, and calms the spirit (by itself)
2. Invigoraes the blood, unblocks the collaterals (poor peripheral circulation with signs of blood stasis)
3. Augments the HT qi and calms the spirit (HT and qi deficiency manifested as poor concentration or mild depression)

Question 10

Huang Jing

Answer 10

sweet, neutral
KD, LU, SP
9-15
1. Tonifies SP qi and aguments the SP yin (SP and ST qi deficiency or yin deficiency)
2. Enriches the yin and moistens the LU (LU qi and yin deficiency and cough dt consumption. Any type of cough with dryness. Also exhaustion of KD)

Question 11

Sha Ji

Answer 11

sour, astringant, sl sweet, warm
LU, SP, ST, LI, LV
3-9
1. Augments the qi and generates fluids (injury to both qi and fluids dt febrile or chronic disease. Stand alone)
2. Warms, tonifies and preserves the LU (LU deficiency with chronic cough esp dt cold of phlegm damp. Stand alone)
3. Tonifies and warms the SP and ST while reducing food stagnation and tx dysenteric d/o (long term diarrhea and dysenteric d/o with accumulation of food that is not transformed. Stand alone)
4. Warms the menses, invigorates the blood, disperses stasis (problems dt bood stasis)

Question 12

Yi Tang

Answer 12

sweet, sl warm
LU, SP, ST
15-60
1. Tonifies the SP and augments the qi (overexertion that injures the SP)
2. TOnifies the middle burner qi and alleviates pain (abdominal pain dt cold from deficiency of the middle burner)
3. Moistens the LU and stops cough (dry, non productive coughs with labored, slow breathing and weak voice dt LU deficiency)