Si Jun Zi Tang四君子汤
Four Gentlemen Decoction (Major Four Herb Combination)
Ingredients4 herbs
Indications
Spleen and Stomach qi deficiency: transformation and transport have weakened, so food is no longer turned into qi and the whole body runs short. Tonify without weight — the smallness of the formula is the point, since a weak middle cannot digest a heavy one.
Clinical Manifestations
- Fatigue with poor appetite
- Loose stools of Spleen deficiency
- Pale complexion and a weak, quiet voice
- Slow return of digestion after illness
- Base formula for qi-tonifying modifications
Health Categories
Modern Applications
Common adjustments
- Qi stagnation with fullness — add Chen Pi 陈皮 — Yi Gong San
- Phlegm-damp with nausea — add Chen Pi 陈皮 and Ban Xia 半夏 — Liu Jun Zi Tang
- Cold epigastric pain and belching as well — further add Mu Xiang 木香 and Sha Ren 砂仁 — Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
- Blood deficiency alongside — combine with Si Wu Tang 四物汤 — Ba Zhen Tang
- Everyday or long courses — Dang Shen 党参 commonly replaces Ren Shen 人参; the retail granule also adds Sheng Jiang 生姜 and Da Zao 大枣
Contraindications
Not for yin-deficiency heat or excess heat patterns, and not the right choice when qi stagnation, food stagnation or damp-heat dominates — tonifying an obstructed middle only deepens the fullness.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.
Pregnancy
Generally compatible — practitioner judgment applies; it is a mild qi tonic with no classical pregnancy prohibition.
Related Formulas
References
Source Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang 《太平惠民和剂局方》 · Song dynasty
「治荣卫气虚，脏腑怯弱，心腹胀满，全不思食，肠鸣泄泻，呕哕吐逆。」
- Classical source (public domain), cited in the source-quote section.
2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
3. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— 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.