Classic TCM Formula: Eight-Treasure Decoction (Ba Zhen Tang)
Eight Treasures Decoction
This formula is composed of eight ingredients which are highly valued for their ability to tonify the qi and blood, hence the name.
Rx. Ginseng (ren shen) 3-9g
(or Rx. Codonopsis, dang shen, 6-27g, substitutes for Ren Shen)
Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae (bai zhu) 3-12g
Poria (fu ling) 3-15g
Rx. Glycyrrhizae Preparata (zhi gan cao) 1.5-6g
Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata (shu di huang) 3-18g
Rx. Paeoniae Alba (bai shao) 3-15g
Rx. Angelicae Sinensis (dang gui) 3-15g
Rz. Chuanxiong (gui xiong) 3-9g
Preparation: cook with three slices of Rz. Zingiberis Recens (sheng jiang) and two pieces of Fr. Jujube (da zao) .
Formula actions:
Tonifies and augments qi and blood
Clinical manifestations:
Pallid or sallow complexion
Palpitations with anxiety that may be continuous
Reduced appetite
Shortness of breath
Laconic speech
Easily fatigued extremities
Light-headedness and/or vertigo
Dizziness
Anorexia
Thirst
Course, dry skin
Headache
Blurred vision
Lassitude
Severe chills and fever
Under weight
Midline pain in women
Lower abdominal pain
Lower abdominal distention
Lumbago in women
Severe chills and fever
Irregular menstruation
Weight loss
Abscesses that neither suppurate nor improve
Continuous spotting from uterine bleeding
Weakness of the limbs
Itching
Analysis of formula
The chief herbs are warm in nature. Radix Ginseng (ren shen) augments the qi, and Radix Rehmanniae Glutinosae Conquitae (shu di huang) nourishes the blood. Two of the deputies, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (bai zhu) and Sclerotium Poriae Cocos (fu ling), strengthen the qi of the Spleen and Lungs. The other deputies, Radix Paeoniae Lactiflorae (bai shao) and Radix Angelicae Sinesis (dang gui), nourish the blood and thereby reinforce the action of Radix Rehmanniae Glutinosae Conquitae (shu di huang) .
One of the assistant ingredients, Radix Ligustici Chuanxiong (chuan xiong), invigorates the blood and promotes the movement of qi. The other, honey-fried Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis (zhi gan cao), augments the qi and harmonizes the middle burner. The envoys are Rhizoma Zingiberis Officinalis Recens (sheng jiang) and Fructus Zizyphi Jujubae (da zao), which regulate the absorptive function of the stomach and spleen. This is especially important because it allows the other herbs in the formula to be absorbed. The envoys also regulate the relationship between the protective and nutritive qi, which allows the patient suffering from deficiency to recover without developing other problems.
Contraditions
Contraindicated for those with Heat or Excess conditions.