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.

Wei LiComment