Zhen Ren Yang Zang Tang真人养脏汤

True Man's Decoction to Nourish the Organs

Stabilizing and Astringing 固涩剂Bind the Intestines 涩肠固脱

Ingredients10 herbs

HerbDosageRoleWhat it does in this formula

人Ren Shen人参Ginseng Radix18g佐 AssistantRestores the qi spent by months of loss 当Dang Gui当归去芦Angelicae Sinensis Radix18g佐 AssistantNourishes the blood consumed by chronic dysentery 白Bai Zhu白术焙Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma18g佐 AssistantStrengthens the Spleen and dries the damp behind the loose stool 肉Rou Dou Kou肉豆蔻面裹，煨Myristicae Semen15g臣 DeputyWarms the middle and binds the intestine at the same time 肉Rou Gui肉桂去粗皮Cinnamomi Cortex24g佐 AssistantWarms Kidney yang so the lower gate can close 甘Zhi Gan Cao甘草炙Glycyrrhizae Radix Praeparata24g佐使 Assistant–EnvoyAugments qi, eases pain with Bai Shao, harmonizes the group

白Bai Shao白芍药Paeoniae Radix Alba48g佐 AssistantSoftens the cramping abdominal pain and gathers yin

木Mu Xiang木香不见火Aucklandiae Radix42g佐 AssistantMoves qi so heavy binding does not leave the belly distended 诃He Zi诃子去核Chebulae Fructus36g臣 DeputyAstringes the large intestine and holds sinking qi 罂Ying Su Ke罂粟壳去蒂萼，蜜炙Papaveris Pericarpium108g君 ChiefBinds the intestine and halts the uncontrolled loss — a restricted narcotic material

Indications

Binds the intestines and stops chronic diarrhoeaWarms and tonifies the Spleen and KidneyNourishes blood and relieves abdominal pain

Chronic diarrhoea and dysentery on a cold-deficient Spleen and Kidney: the yang that should hold the lower gate has failed, so stool passes without restraint and, in time, the rectum itself descends.

Clinical Manifestations

Chronic diarrhoea or dysentery with no control
Rectal prolapse from prolonged loss
Abdominal pain relieved by warmth and pressure
Chronic mucus or blood in the stool
Poor appetite and exhaustion after months of loose stool

TonguePale with a white coating

PulseSlow and thin

Health Categories

Digestive HealthEnergy & FatigueStress & Emotional Balance

Modern Applications

Chronic diarrhoea Ulcerative colitis Irritable bowel syndrome Rectal prolapse Chronic dysentery

Common adjustments

Kidney yang clearly failing, cold limbs — add Fu Zi Fu Zi (Zhi) under supervision, or combine with Si Shen Wan 四神丸
Prolapse and sinking — add Sheng Ma 升麻 and Huang Qi 黄芪 to raise the sunken qi
Abdominal pain prominent — increase Bai Shao 白芍 with Gan Cao 甘草 to relax the spasm

Contraindications

Not for the early stage of dysentery, and not while damp-heat or undigested food stagnation remains — urgency, tenesmus, burning stool and a foul odour all mean there is still something to clear, and binding it in makes matters worse. The formula contains poppy husk (Ying Su Ke 罂粟壳), a narcotic material that is habit-forming, is not for children, and is legally restricted or unavailable in many countries.

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

Pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnancy — it contains poppy husk, and Rou Gui and Mu Xiang are warming, moving herbs that are avoided in pregnancy. Diarrhoea in a pregnant patient is treated another way.

Related Formulas

Tao Hua Tang桃花汤

References

Source Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang 《太平惠民和剂局方》 · Northern Song

Classical source as cited above (public domain).
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.