Many people in life are troubled by insufficient qi and blood, eitherGeneral fatigue, shortness of breath with slight movement, either sallow complexion, dizziness, palpitations, even menstruationIrregular. Left by Zhang Zhongjing and Li DongyuanSi Wu Tang, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, Gui Pi TangAll are classic prescriptions for replenishing qi and blood, but the three target completely different "qi and blood issues." Today, we will explain them in plain language.
Four-Substance Decoction: Blood Deficiency Predominates + Poor Blood Circulation
This type of person is mostlyLong-term fatigue, staying up late, or excessive blood loss in women after childbirthresulting in pure blood deficiency, accompanied by a touch of blood stasisManifested as pale or sallow complexion, pale lips and nails, dizziness and blurred vision, scanty and pale menstrual flow or even delayed periods, often feeling numbness in the hands and feet, and lack of energy.
The core is within the bodyThe total amount of blood is insufficientIt cannot circulate smoothly yet, just like a field lacking water and becoming compacted, where crops naturally do not grow well.
Fangli Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata isBlood Tonic Main ForceIt can steadily replenish the missing yin blood, laying a solid foundation of qi and blood for the body; Angelica sinensis can both nourish blood and promote blood circulation, ensuring that the replenished blood flows smoothly without stagnation; White peony root can astringe yin blood and alleviate dizziness and abdominal pain caused by blood deficiency; Chuanxiong rhizome is known as the "qi-moving herb in the blood," as it promotes the circulation of qi and blood, preventing the formula from becoming stagnant while nourishing. Overall, this formula works to nourish blood, promote blood circulation, regulate menstruation, and relieve pain, specifically addressing issues of "pure blood deficiency + slow blood flow."
Buzhong Yiqi Decoction: Qi deficiency as the main cause + inability to lift
This type of qi and blood issueQi deficiency precedes, blood deficiency followsstill with the yang qi unable to ascend—manifested asI feel weak all over, tired after a little work, and lack confidence when speaking. My appetite is poor, I eat little, and I easily feel bloated. I even experience lower abdominal sagging and rectal prolapse. My complexion is pale yellow and lacks luster.
The essence is spleen and stomach weakness, unable to transform ingested food into qi and blood, and the body's "qi" lacks the strength to ascend, resulting in insufficient qi and blood production and a tendency to sink downward.
In the prescription, Astragalus isThe King of Qi TonificationIt can greatly tonify the qi of the spleen and stomach, providing the driving force for the generation of qi and blood; Ginseng, Atractylodes macrocephala, and honey-fried licorice follow to tonify the spleen and stomach, aid in transformation and transportation, and help Astragalus in "blood production"; Tangerine peel can regulate qi, preventing bloating caused by overly greasy tonics; Cimicifuga and Bupleurum specifically lift the sunken yang qi, allowing qi and blood to smoothly reach the entire body, truly achieving the effects of tonifying qi, raising yang, strengthening the spleen, and nourishing blood.
Gui Pi Tang: Deficiency of both heart and spleen + Deficiency of both qi and blood
This type isheavy thoughts, excessive mental exertionThe person most prone to have both qi deficiency and blood deficiency, which also affects the mind—exteriorCurrently experiencing palpitations and heart palpitations, difficulty sleeping at night, prone to dreaming, memory decline, poor appetite, loose stools, sallow or pale complexion, women may experience metrorrhagia, heavy and pale menstrual flow.
The root cause is prolonged mental strain and exhaustion, which leads to a decline in the functions of the heart and spleen, insufficient production of qi and blood, and the inability of the mind to be nourished by qi and blood.
In the prescription, there are ginseng, astragalus, white atractylodes, and roasted licorice.Tonifying the Spleen and Stomach, Supplementing QiThe core ensures the generation of qi and blood; Angelica sinensis and longan fruit specifically nourish blood and also nourish the heart and mind; Ziziphus jujuba, Polygala tenuifolia, and Poria cocos form a "calming combination" that helps stabilize the mind and improve insomnia and excessive dreaming; Aucklandia lappa regulates qi and awakens the spleen, allowing for nourishment without greasiness. Overall, it addresses the dual deficiency of qi and blood and restlessness of the mind, repairing the functions of the heart and spleen from the root to resolve the issue of "dual deficiency of qi and blood + restlessness of the mind."
Practical Medical Cases of Regulating Qi and Blood Deficiency
A 47-year-old male patient has been feelingGeneral fatigue, shortness of breath after walking a few stepsThe complexion is severely sallow and withered, the lips are completely devoid of blood color, there is difficulty falling asleep at night and easy awakening, memory has noticeably deteriorated, appetite is poor, eating even a little causes abdominal bloating, stools are loose and watery, the tongue is pale with thin white coating, and the pulse is thin and weak.
The diagnosis isdeficiency of both the heart and spleen, deficiency of both qi and bloodIt is necessary to strengthen the spleen and nourish the heart, replenish qi and blood.
Modification of Prescription: Astragalus, Ginseng, Atractylodes, Prepared Licorice, Chinese Angelica, Longan Aril, Spine Date Seed, Polygala, Poria, Costus Root, Prepared Rehmannia, White Peony, Ginger, Jujube.
After taking the medication for one and a half months, the patient's symptoms of general fatigue and dizziness have significantly improved. Their appetite has increased, they can sleep soundly at night, and their complexion has become much rosier.
Explanation of the prescription: Drawing on the core concepts of Guipi Decoction and Siwu Decoction, it employsAstragalus, Ginseng, Atractylodes, Honey-fried LicoriceStrengthen the spleen and replenish qi, laying a solid foundation for the generation of qi and bloodAngelica sinensis, Longan aril, Rehmannia glutinosa, Paeonia lactifloraSynergistically replenish blood, both increasing total volume and regulating circulation; sour jujube seed, polygala root, and poria spirit nourish the heart and calm the mind, addressing issues of insomnia and palpitations;SaussureaRegulate Qi and Harmonize Stomach, Avoid Tonics from Causing Stagnation and Impeding StomachGinger, JujubeHarmonize the spleen and stomach, aid absorption, ensuring the entire formula tonifies without stagnation and replenishes both qi and blood.
