Qi & Blood tonics

Question 1

What are Qi tonic foods / Meals? What should be avoided?

Answer 1

Breakfast that is warm and substantial such as congee or oatmeal
Mostly warm meals including soups or stews throughout the day
Yellow/orange coloured foods for improving Spleen Qi

AVOID
Thermally cold foods
Irregular, hasty eating, eating late in the day
Tropical fruits, denaturalised or canned foods, refined sugar and hot spices

Question 2

What are Blood tonic foods / Meals? What should be avoided?

Answer 2

Blood building foods such as protein and iron rich foods
Animal foods particularly soups made with bones, dark green & rich red fruit/veg
Foods cooked in a cooling, neutral way e.g. blanching, steaming, soups

AVOID:
Dry cooking methods such as deep frying, thermally hot foods
Bitter pungent foods esp if warm or hot

Question 3

What formulas are Qi and Blood tonifying?

Answer 3

Ba Zhen Tang
Gui Pi Tang

Question 4

What is Ba Zhen Tang?

Answer 4

1. Ren Shen
2. Bai Zhu
3. Fu Ling
4. Zhi Gan Cao
5. Shu Di
6. Dang Gui
7. Bai Shao
8. Chuan Xiong

Question 5

What are the functions of Ba Zhen Tang?

Answer 5

Reinforce both Qi and Blood

Question 6

What are the associated patterns / symptoms for Ba Zhen Tang?

Answer 6

Deficiency of both Qi and Blood

Question 7

What are the cautions / contraindications for Ba Zhen Tang?

Answer 7

Early stage acute illness (cold and flu)
Abdominal bloating, loose stools and GIT disturbance

Question 8

What is the dosage for Ba Zhen Tang?

Answer 8

8-12 pills (2-3 times per day) away from food where possible.

Question 9

What is Gui Pi Tang?

Answer 9

1. Bai Zhu
2. Fu Shen
3. Huang Qi
4. Long Yan Rou
5. Suan Zao Ren
6. Ren Shen
7. Mu Xiang
8. Zhi Gan Cao
9. Dang Gui
10. Yuan Zhi

Question 10

What are the actions of Gui Pi Tang?

Answer 10

Replenish Qi and Tonify blood, invigorate the Spleen and nourish the Heart.

Question 11

What are the patterns / symptoms for Gui Pi Tang?

Answer 11

• Deficiency of both Qi and Blood of Spleen and Heart: palpitation, amnesia, insomnia, night sweats, hectic fever, poor appetite, sallow complexion
• Failure of the Spleen to control blood. Various bleeding disorders such as heavy period
• Heart and Blood Spleen Qi xu. Insomnia, dizziness, anxiety, bleeding disorders, poor memory, forgetfulness, poor appetite. Fatigue, weakness
• Pale tongue. Thready pulse. Pale complexion

Question 12

What are the cautions / contraindications of Gui Pi Tang?

Answer 12

Early stage acute illness
Dampness or phlegm, abdominal bloating and loose stools.

Question 13

What is the dosage of Gui Pi Tang?

Answer 13

Prepared as a decoction. 8-12 pills, 3 times per day.