Herbs That Tonify Qi herbs traditional chinese medicine Bai Zhu Atractylodes (White) Rhizome Dang Shen Codonopsis Root Da Zao Chinese Date, Jujube Gan Cao Licorice Root Geng Mi Rice Huang Jing Siberian Solomon Seal Rhizome Huang Qi Astragalus Root Ren Shen Ginseng Root Shan Yao Chinese Yam Tai Zi Shen Pseudostellaria Zhi Gan Cao Honey Fried Licorice Root

Herbs That Tonify Qi

Function Overview

  • Herbs in this category are generally sweet and rich.
  • They are most often combined with herbs that move and regulate the qi.

Summary & Key Herbs

  • Ren Shen is used when the qi and yang have collapsed, otherwise Dang Shen is preferred.
    • Body tonify yuan qi; often used together for this purpose.
    • Dang Shen is good for deficient cough with profuse sputum.
  • Tai Zi Shen - gentle, moist, can replace Ren Shen especially in cases of liver yang rising.
  • Bai Zhu - spleen deficiency leading to digestion problems or water metabolism issues.
  • Huang Qi - wei qi, warms and raises qi, water metabolism issues.
  • Huang Jing, Shan Yao - relatively neutral, used for tonifying qi and yin.
    • Huang Jing - more moistening, relatively stronger in nourishing yin, good for post-febrile disease where yin and qi have been injured.
    • Shan Yao - astringent, used for various types of incontinence or collapse.

11 herbs in this functional category.