Chinese: 升阳益胃汤
Pinyin: Shēng Yáng Yì Wèi Tāng
Other names: Raise the Yang and Augment the Stomach Decoction
Number of ingredients: 16 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that tonify Qi
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: UrticariaAtrophic gastritisPeriodontal disease and four other conditions
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Augments the Qi
- Raises the Yang
- Releases Dampness
Contraindications: Although this formula treats Damp-Heat disorders, its focus is mainly on... Although this formula treats Damp-Heat disorders, its focus is mainly on tonifying the Qi of the Middle Burner. It is therefore contraindicated in patterns characterized by Dampness in the absence of Deficiency of the Middle Burner. In fact, the source text specifically instructs to remove the draining herbs such as Poria and Water plantain unless their inclusion is indicated by symptoms reflecting obstruction of the Lower Burner Qi dynamic, such as painful urinary dribbling. see more
Source date: 1247 AD
Source book: Clarifying Doubts about Injury from Internal and External Causes
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.
Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang is a 16-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 1247 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Qi. Its main actions are: 1) strengthens the Spleen and 2) augments the 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 Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency or Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as atrophic gastritis, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease or periodontal disease for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the sixteen ingredients in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang helps treat.
The sixteen ingredients in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang
Huang Qi is a king ingredient in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi)
Huang Qi tonifies both the Spleen and Lung Qi to treat both the root and branch of Qi Deficiency. Because the Lung are responsible for directing water downward into the Bladder, they play an important role in removing Dampness from the body. Strengthening the Lung Qi will thus not only stabilize the Exterior, but also actively eliminate the pathogenic Dampness.
Gan Cao is a deputy ingredient in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."
In the context of Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang, it is used because it warms and regulates the Middle Burner and moderates the draining property of Poria-cocos mushrooms.
Bai Zhu is a deputy ingredient in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Bai Zhu's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi."
In the context of Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang, it is used because it strengthens the Spleen and dries Dampness.
Ban Xia is an assistant ingredient in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
4. Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia)
Part used: Dried rhizome and tuber
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Pungent
In general Ban Xia's main actions are as follows: "Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention."
In the context of Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang, it is used because it , like Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi), has a drying effect and helps direct the Qi downward.
Ren Shen is an assistant ingredient in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
5. Ginseng (Ren Shen)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Ren Shen is a a powerful tonic for the Spleen Qi. Today however it is often substituted for Codonopsis root (Dang Shen), which plays a similar role and is significantly less expensive.
Du Huo is an assistant ingredient in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. Pubescent Angelica Roots (Du Huo)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: BladderKidney
Category: Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness
Du Huo is acrid and dispersing in nature. It is a Wind dispersing herb that promote Yang Qi circulation. When used together with Milkvetch root, Ginseng, Atractylodes rhizome, it also strengthen the ascending movement of Qi, allowing it to move from below to above without Stagnation.
Fang Feng is an assistant ingredient in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
7. Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng)
Fang Feng is acrid and dispersing in nature. It is a Wind dispersing herb that promote Yang Qi circulation. When used together with Milkvetch root, Ginseng, Atractylodes rhizome, it also strengthen the ascending movement of Qi, allowing it to move from below to above without Stagnation.
Bai Shao is an assistant ingredient in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
8. White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: LiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Bai Shao nourishes and cools the Blood to remove Heat from a deeper part of the physiological function. It also balances the warming, drying, and dispersing nature of the Wind-dispersing herbs in the formula.
Qiang Huo is an assistant ingredient in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
9. Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo)
Qiang Huo is acrid and dispersing in nature. It is a Wind dispersing herb that promote Yang Qi circulation. When used together with Milkvetch root, Ginseng, Atractylodes rhizome, it also strengthen the ascending movement of Qi, allowing it to move from below to above without Stagnation.
Chen Pi is an assistant ingredient in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
10. Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi)
Chen Pi is a drying herb that directs the Qi downward and helps remove obstruction in the Middle Burner by Phlegm-Dampness. This is characterized by Rebellious Qi of the Stomach and Lungs with symptoms like nausea, vomiting (for the stomach part) and coughing sputum (for the Lungs).
Fu Ling is an assistant ingredient in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
11. Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
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."
In the context of Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang, it is used because it removes Dampness and assists Ginseng or Codonopsis root in strengthening the Spleen.
Chai Hu is an assistant ingredient in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
12. Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu)
Chai Hu is acrid and dispersing in nature. It is a Wind dispersing herb that promote Yang Qi circulation. When used together with Milkvetch root, Ginseng, Atractylodes rhizome, it also strengthen the ascending movement of Qi, allowing it to move from below to above without Stagnation.
Ze Xie is an assistant ingredient in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
13. Water Plantain (Ze Xie)
Part used: Dried tuber
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: BladderKidney
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
Ze Xie drains Dampness and Heat from the Lower Burner. This facilitates the ascent of clear Yang, so as to treat dizziness and tinnitus caused by the accumulation of Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner.
Huang Lian is an assistant ingredient in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
14. Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: GallbladderHeartLarge intestineLiverSpleenStomach
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Huang Lian is bitter and strongly cooling in nature. It drains Damp-Heat which causes Qi Stagnation. With White peony root, it also balances the warming, drying, and dispersing nature of the Wind-dispersing herbs in the formula.
Sheng Jiang is an envoy ingredient in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
15. Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang)
Sheng Jiang regulates the Protective and Nutritive Qi by gently supporting the transportive and transformative functions of the Middle Burner. Together with Liquorice, it also moderates the diverse functions of the many different herbs in this formula.
Da Zao is an envoy ingredient in Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
16. Jujube Dates (Da Zao)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Da Zao regulates the Protective and Nutritive Qi by gently supporting the transportive and transformative functions of the Middle Burner. Together with Liquorice, it also moderates the diverse functions of the many different herbs in this formula.
Conditions and patterns for which Sheng Yang Yi Wei 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 Sheng Yang Yi Wei 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:
Atrophic gastritis Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease Periodontal disease Urticaria Chronic inflammatory bowel disease Chronic cholecystitis Fever of unknown origin
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang treats atrophic gastritis" for instance. Rather, Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind atrophic gastritis.
Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang.
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
Symptoms: Tiredness Lassitude Weak Limbs Loose stools Poor appetite Lack of taste Pale complexion Epigastrium discomfort Slight abdominal distension after eating
Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as poor appetite, slight abdominal distension after eating, tiredness and lassitude. Patients with Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency typically exhibit empty (Xu) pulses.
It's very common for Stomach Qi Deficiency to be paired with Spleen Qi Deficiency since both Organs are so closely intertwined. The Stomach receives food and then sends the pure portion to the Spleen. Together they rule transportation of food essences.
Since they're the root of Grain Qi for the... read more about Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Soggy (Ru)
Symptoms: Nausea Loose stools Feeling of heaviness of the head and body A feeling of oppression in chest and epigastrium Continuous fever which does not reduce with sweating
Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen. This pattern leads to symptoms such as feeling of heaviness of the head and body, a feeling of oppression in chest and epigastrium, nausea and loose stools. Patients with Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or soggy (Ru) pulses.
This is one of the five patterns of the Qi level, the second level of the Four Levels theory.
Here Damp-Heat causes sweating but, while it might give the impression it abates the fever, it comes back soon afterwards. The reason is because sweat comes from the space between the skin and muscles but... read more about Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen
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