Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan - Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Formula

Herbal Formula Database

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan Herbal Formula Classifications and Usages

The herbal formula "bu zhong yi qi wan" , 补中益气丸, which in english is "tonify the middle and augment the qi formula", is categorized within the "tonify" functional grouping and within the "tonify the qi" sub-category.

You may also see this formula referenced by: Bu Zhong Yi Qi San, Ginseng and Astragalus Combination, Decoction for Reinforcing the Center and Replenishing Qi.

Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:

  • Coldness of the limbs, borborygmus with loose stools or diarrhea due to spleen yang deficiency.
  • Spontaneous or easy sweating, general fatigue, changes in appetite due to spleen qi deficiency.
  • Pale complexion and preference for warm food or drinks due to spleen yang and qi deficiency.
  • Shortness of breath and noticable lack of desire to speak may present if both spleen and stomach qi are weak.
  • This formula is also commonly used for prolasped organs.

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan has some precautions to be considered (see our precautions list).

  • Use with caution for yin deficient patients.

Our shop contains bu zhong yi qi wan from the following manufacturers:

($25.00) Add To Cart View Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang - Sun Ten
($9.99) Add To Cart View Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan - HBW

For many reasons such as availability, ecological choices, and/or price, each manufacturer or herbalist may well adjust the exact composition of a specific formula. Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan is generally comprised of the following herbs:

ViewBai Zhu (Atractylodes (White) Rhizome)

Tonifies the spleen, augments qi, dries dampness - diarrhea, fatigue, lack of appetite, vomiting, edema. Stabilizes the exterior and stops sweating - spontaneous sweating due to qi deficiency. Calm…

ViewChai Hu (Thorowax Root, Bupleurum)

Clears shao yang disorders and reduces fever - alternating chills and fever, bitter taste in the mouth, irritability, vomiting, stifling sensation in the chest. Relieves liver qi stagnation (often u…

ViewChen Pi (Tangerine Peel)

Regulates Qi, improves transportive function of the spleen, relieves diaphragm - epigastric/abdominal distention, fullness, bloating, belching, nausea, vomiting (promotes movement of qi in general; …

ViewDang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root)

Tonifies the blood, regulates menses - pallid, ashen complexion, tinnitus, blurred vision, palpitations, irregular menses, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea. Invigorates/harmonizes the blood, disperses cold …

ViewHuang Qi (Astragalus Root)

Tonifies spleen qi - lack of appetite, fatigue, diarrhea. Raises yang qi of spleen and stomach - prolapse of uterus, stomach, rectum, uterine bleeding. Augments the wei qi and stabilizes the exteri…

ViewRen Shen (Ginseng Root)

Strongly tonify yuan qi - extreme collapse of qi, shortness of breath, cold limbs, profuse sweating, weak pulse (often used alone for this condition after severe blood loss). Tonify lung qi - wheezi…

ViewSheng Ma (Black Cohosh Rhizome, Bugbane Rhizome)

Releases the exterior, vents muscles - accelerates the early stages of skin rashes, headache from wind-heat (forehead - stomach channel). Clears heat, relieves toxicity - toxins in the upper or supe…

ViewZhi Gan Cao (Honey Fried Licorice Root)

This preparation increases the qi tonifying aspects of the heart and spleen along with its general harmonizing function within formulas.  See Gan Cao for complete information.

A single formula, alone, may not be sufficient to fully address a particular TCM diagnostic pattern. Formulas may be used alone, in combinations, and/or in stages. Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan is a candidate for consideration when needing to influence lung qi deficiency, spleen qi deficiency and/or spleen qi sinking.

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan may potentially be used, in coordination with a well tailored overall approach, to influence the following conditions: anemia, fatigue, immunity, iron deficiency anemia and/or sweat problems

Our clinical staff have made the following notes, regarding bu zhong yi qi wan.

For stomach and spleen qi and yang deficiency, may also be used for organ prolapse.  The spleen’s primary function is to extract the energy from the food.  A secondary function the spleen has is to hold thing in their place, this includes keep the fluids and blood in the vessels and keeping the organs in their correct places.  Therefore a chronic deficiency of the spleen qi may result in low energy, malnutrition, and may be a factor in organ prolapse.  This formula also supports the wei qi, which is responsible for many functions of the immune system from a western perspective.

As noted above, bu zhong yi qi wan is within the tonify functional group. And it appears within the sub-category "tonify the qi", which contains the following formulas:

ViewGu Zhi Shu Song Wan (Osteoporosis Tablets)

For bone disorders includeing osteoporosis and osteopenia. May help reduce or prevent further bone loss.

ViewSheng Mai Yin Wan (Replenish Pulse Pills)

Dry mouth, dry skin, dark or scanty urine from yin and fluid deficiency. Fatigue, shortness of breath, and spontaneous sweating.

ViewShen Ling Bai Zhu Wan (Ginseng, Poria & Atractylodes Pills)

Diarrhea, loose stools, or mucus/greasy stools from damp accumulation in the spleen/stomach. Borborygmus, low appetite, fatigue, and/or pale complexion resulting from spleen qi deficiency. Colitis,…

ViewSi Jun Zi Tang Wan (Four Gentlemen Teapills)

General qi tonification formula - weak extremities, lassitude, pale face, poor appetite, loose stools. Due to the strenghtening functions can bolster immunity. Spleen qi deficiency is the backdro…

ViewTe Xiao Bi Min Gan Wan (Specially Effective Nasal Allergy Pills)

Generally useful for a range of allergy symptoms - seasonal allergies, rhinitis, sinusitis, dry or watery eyes, sinus headaches, etc.  Can be used both as a preventative and as a symptomatic aid for …

ViewXiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Wan (Aucklandia, Amomi & Six Gentlemen Pills)

A modified version of the base, zhi zhu wan, which is used to treat qi stagnation and food retention from qi deficiency.  This modification includes herbs which add more movement and damp drying. Di…

ViewXiang Sha Yang Wei Wan (Aucklandia Amomi Nurture Stomach Pills)

Low appetite, apathy towards eating due to spleen qi deficiency. Acid reflux, indigestion, epigastric pain, tendency to feel full even with small quantities of food. Food stagnation due to overeati…

All formulas in the primary category of "tonify" are listed below.

(truncated intro "...tonification may be directed towards the qi, blood, yin and/or yang aspects of the body. in mixed cases you must often think of the generat…)".

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