Skip to content
Cura x Cura

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang补中益气汤

Tonify the Middle & Augment the Qi Decoction

Tonifying 补益剂Tonify Qi 补气

Ingredients8 herbs

黄Huang Qi黄芪病甚、劳役热甚者18g君 ChiefStrongly tonifies qi, raises the yang, secures the exterior甘Zhi Gan Cao甘草炙9g臣 DeputyAugments middle qi, harmonizes the formula人Ren Shen人参去芦6g臣 DeputyAugments source qi, supports the middle burner当Dang Gui当归酒焙干或晒干3g佐 AssistantNourishes the blood so lifted qi has substance to carry
橘Chen Pi橘皮不去白6g佐 AssistantRegulates qi so tonification does not stagnate
升Sheng Ma升麻6g佐使 Assistant–EnvoyRaises the clear yang of the Stomach柴Chai Hu柴胡6g佐使 Assistant–EnvoyLifts the clear qi of the Shaoyang and Liver白Bai Zhu白术9g臣 DeputyFortifies the Spleen, dries dampness

Indications

Tonifies middle-burner qiRaises sunken yangLifts prolapseRelieves deficiency fever

Spleen–Stomach qi deficiency with sinking of the clear yang: the middle burner fails to generate and lift qi, so transport weakens, the limbs are heavy, and unsupported tissues descend. Also the classical strategy for deficiency fever— treating heat with sweet warmth.

Clinical Manifestations

  • Chronic fatigue with weak voice and little appetite
  • Organ prolapse (rectal, uterine) and chronic diarrhea
  • Recurrent low-grade fever worse with exertion
  • Spontaneous sweating with aversion to wind
TonguePale body, thin white coating
PulseDeficient, soft; may be floating in the fever pattern

Health Categories

Digestive HealthEnergy & FatigueCold & Flu Relief

Modern Applications

Chronic fatigueOrgan prolapseChronic diarrheaLow-grade fever

Common adjustments

  • Marked prolapse — increase Huang Qi 黄芪; add Zhi Shi 枳实
  • Concurrent headache — add Man Jing Zi or Chuan Xiong 川芎
  • Pronounced blood deficiency — add Dang Gui 当归 in a larger dose, Shu Di Huang 熟地黄

Contraindications

Not for fever from excess heat or yin deficiency, nor for collapse from sudden qi desertion — the sweet-warm lifting strategy aggravates both.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.

Pregnancy

Generally compatible — practitioner judgment applies

Related Formulas

References

Source 《内外伤辨惑论》 · Jin–Yuan period

「内伤脾胃，乃伤其气……惟当以甘温之剂，补其中，升其阳。」
— 《脾胃论》(classical source, public domain)
  1. Li Gao 李杲. Pi Wei Lun《脾胃论》(classical source).
    2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
    3. 《方剂学》（规划教材）— pattern analysis cross-checked.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.