Chinese: 附子汤
Pinyin: Fù Zǐ Tāng
Other names: Aconite Accessory Root Decoction
Chinese: 附子汤
Pinyin: Fù Zǐ Tāng
Other names: Aconite Accessory Root Decoction
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that warm and transform water and Dampness
Contraindications: If not properly prepared, the main ingredient of this formula (Aconite) is... If not properly prepared, the main ingredient of this formula (Aconite) is toxic. For this reason, only the prepared form should be used and then cooked appropriately. see more
Source date: 220 AD
Source book: Discussion of Cold Damage
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Fu Zi Tang is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm and transform water and Dampness. Its main actions are: 1) warms the Meridians and 2) assists the Yang.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the five ingredients in Fu Zi Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Fu Zi Tang helps treat.
Zhi Fu Zi is a king ingredient in Fu Zi Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
Zhi Fu Zi penetrates into the Gate of Vitality to invigorate the Yang and disperses Cold from all twelve Meridians. As noted by Zhang Jie-Bin, a famous Chinese medicine doctor: "[Prepared aconite (Zhi Fu Zi)] is an essential herb for Yin-type patterns. In all cases of Cold damage that transmit or transform into [disorders of one of] the three Yin [warps] as well as in [direct] Cold strike into the Yin [warps], if the pulse is submerged, it must be used even if there is high fever."
Bai Zhu is a deputy ingredient in Fu Zi Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Bai Zhu works together with Poria (Fu Ling), the other deputy herb here, to strengthen the Spleen, promote urination, and provide a route for the Dampness to exit the body.
Fu Ling is a deputy ingredient in Fu Zi Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
Part used: Dried sclerotium
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLungSpleen
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
In general Fu Ling's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit."
Ren Shen is an assistant ingredient in Fu Zi Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Ren Shen strongly tonifies the original Qi but also generates Fluids, providing the organism with a basis for re-establishing normal physiological functioning.
Bai Shao is an assistant ingredient in Fu Zi Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Bai Shao complements the actions of the key herb, Prepared aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) because it is cooling and restrains the Yin. Nourishing the Yin provides a substratum to which the Yang generated by Prepared aconite can attach itself, keeping it in the Interior and preventing it from dissipating to the Exterior.
'Cold' as a body pattern in Chinese Medicine is one of the so-called "Eight Principles". Learn more about Cold pattern in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Deep (Chen), Minute (Wei), Slow (Chi)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Symptoms: No thirst Cold extremities Generalized body pain Aching bones and joints Aversion to cold - especially at the back
Fu Zi Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp. This pattern leads to symptoms such as generalized body pain, aching bones and joints, cold extremities and no thirst. Patients with Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp typically exhibit choppy (Se), deep (Chen), minute (Wei) or slow (Chi) pulses as well as a tongue with thin white coating.
Zhen Wu Tang is 80% similar to Fu Zi Tang
Si Jun Zi Tang is 60% similar to Fu Zi Tang
Liu Jun Zi Tang is 50% similar to Fu Zi Tang
Xiao Yao San is 50% similar to Fu Zi Tang
Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang is 44% similar to Fu Zi Tang
Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang is 43% similar to Fu Zi Tang