Chinese: 黄芪建中汤
Pinyin: Huáng Qí Jiàn Zhōng Tāng
Other names: Astragalus Decoction to Construct the Middle, Milkvetch Decoction to Construct the Middle
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold
Mother formula: Xiao Jian Zhong Tang
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: AnemiaColitisDyspnea and thirty four other conditions
- Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach)
- Tonifies Qi
- Relieves spasmodic pain
Contraindications: Contraindicated for Heat from Yin Deficiency. It should not be used without... Contraindicated for Heat from Yin Deficiency. It should not be used without modification in patients with vomiting or roundworms because these conditions are often aggravated by sweet substances. see more
Source date: 220 AD
Source book: Essentials from the Golden Cabinet
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.
Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) and Maltose (Yi Tang) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold. Its main actions are: 1) warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach) and 2) tonifies Qi.
In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.
In this case Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold or Empty-Cold. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as gastric ulcer, gastralgia or gastroptosis for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the seven ingredients in Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang helps treat.
The seven ingredients in Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang
Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi)
Huang Qi is sweet and warm. It is considered one of the top Qi tonifying herbs in TCM. It is entirely Yang in nature and it strongly stimulates the Qi dynamic. It raises the Yang and disperses the Blood and Essences throughout the entire body.
Yi Tang is a king ingredient in Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Maltose (Yi Tang)
Part used: The sugar
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomachLung
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Yi Tang Tonifies both the Qi and Blood, generates Fluids, alleviates thirst, and moderates abdominal pain. Records of Thoughtful Differentiation of Materia Medica describes Maltose as the "quintessence of a quintessence" because it is distilled from grains such as rice, wheat, or barley, all of which are associated with sweetness and earth. Containing the very essence of earth makes it ideally suited to tonifying the Middle Burner.
Rou Gui is a deputy ingredient in Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui)
In general Rou Gui's main actions are as follows: "Warms the Spleen and Kidneys and tonifies the Yang. Expels Cold, Warms the meridians, promotes circulation of Qi and Blood and relieves pain. Used with tonics to assist in the generation of Qi and Blood."
In the context of Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, it is used because it warms the Middle Burner and disperses Cold.
Bai Shao is a deputy ingredient in Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Bai Shao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain."
In the context of Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, it is used because it benefits the Yin with its sweet and sour taste.
Sheng Jiang is an assistant ingredient in Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
5. Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang)
In general Sheng Jiang's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning."
In the context of Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, it is used because it tonifies the protective Qi and strengthen the Middle Burner.
Da Zao is an assistant ingredient in Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. Jujube Dates (Da Zao)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Da Zao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi. Tonifies the Blood. Calms the Shen (spirit). Moderates the actions of other herbs in formula."
In the context of Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, it is used because it tonifies the protective Qi and strengthen the Middle Burner.
Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
7. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Gan Cao works with the deputy herbs to stop spasmodic abdominal pain. It also harmonizes the functions of the Middle Burner and of the formula in general.
Conditions and patterns for which Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang may be prescribed
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang is used by TCM practitioners to treat two different patterns which we describe below.
But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:
Gastric ulcer Gastralgia Gastroptosis Duodenal ulcer Neurasthenia Irritable bowel syndrome Dysmenorrhea Polyuria Hemorrhoids Rectal prolapse Strangury Otorrhea Urinary incontinence Chronic otitis media Gangrene Colitis Anorexia Leukopenia Hypoglycemia Pulmonary tuberculosis Ancylostomiasis Endometriosis Jaundice Constipation Diarrhea Hematemesis Impotence Male menopause Indigestion Dyspnea Cirrhosis of the Liver Gastritis Rhinitis Anemia Hepatitis Dysentery Pancreatis
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang treats gastric ulcer" for instance. Rather, Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind gastric ulcer.
Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang.
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Symptoms: No thirst Tiredness Weak limbs Cold limbs Poor appetite Pale complexion Vomiting of clear fluids Preference for warm drinks and foods Epigastric pain relieved with pressure or eating
Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold. This pattern leads to symptoms such as epigastric pain relieved with pressure or eating, poor appetite, preference for warm drinks and foods and vomiting of clear fluids. Patients with Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold typically exhibit deep (Chen), slow (Chi) or weak (Ruo) pulses.
Also called Stomach Yang Deficiency, this pattern is normally associated with Spleen-Yang Deficiency, which leads to Internal Cold, resulting in cold limbs, loose stools, vomiting of clear fluids, no thirst, preference for warm drinks and foods and a Weak pulse.
When Stomach Qi is deficient, it may... read more about Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold
'Cold' as a body pattern in Chinese Medicine is one of the so-called "Eight Principles". Learn more about Cold pattern in Chinese Medicine
Empty-Cold
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Symptoms: Anemia Nasitis Sweating Pale face No thirst Dizziness No period Cold limbs Weak Limbs Weak voice Leukorrhea Listlessness Loose stools Palpitations Poor appetite Painful period Scanty periods Feeling of cold Clear urination Aversion to cold Frequent urination Shortness of breath
Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Empty-Cold. This pattern leads to symptoms such as feeling of cold, cold limbs, pale face and no thirst. Patients with Empty-Cold typically exhibit deep (Chen), slow (Chi) or weak (Ruo) pulses.
Full-Cold is mainly caused by external Cold Evil invasion or Yin Excess, while Empty-Cold is largely due to Deficient Yang or Qi, which fails to warm the body. Therefore the patients have cold limbs, feel cold and dislike cold.
Both pattern has Cold manifestations, but the Empty type is more for... read more about Empty-Cold
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