Ba Zhen Tang: A Simple Guide to a Qi and Blood-Nourishing Herbal Formula
Hongji Medical- Dec 29, 2024
- 6 min read
Ba Zhen Tang, or "Eight Treasures Decoction," is a beloved Chinese herbal formula from Ruizhutang Experience Prescription. It combines the strengths of two classic recipes—Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) and Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction)—to boost qi (energy) and nourish blood.
Known for its gentle yet powerful effects, Ba Zhen Tang is a go-to for restoring vitality, especially for those feeling weak or fatigued.
What’s in Ba Zhen Tang?
Ba Zhen Tang blends eight herbs from Sijunzi Tang and Siwu Tang, creating a balanced tonic:
From Sijunzi Tang (Qi-Boosting):
Ginseng (Ren Shen): Sweet and warm, it strengthens the spleen and boosts energy.
Atractylodes (Bai Zhu): Supports digestion and dries dampness to combat fatigue.
Poria (Fu Ling): Calms the mind and enhances spleen function.
Licorice (Gan Cao): Harmonizes the formula and protects the stomach.
From Siwu Tang (Blood-Nourishing):
Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang): Sweet and warm, it nourishes blood and yin.
Angelica Root (Dang Gui): Boosts blood flow and supports menstruation.
White Peony Root (Bai Shao): Soothes the liver and nourishes blood.
Sichuan Lovage (Chuan Xiong): Invigorates blood and eases pain.
Optional Add-Ins: 3 slices of ginger and 2 jujubes to warm the stomach and enhance qi.
How to Make Ba Zhen Tang
Ingredients:
Ginseng: 3g
Atractylodes: 9g
Roasted Licorice: 5g
Poria: 8g
Rehmannia: 12g
Angelica Root: 9g
White Peony Root: 8g
Sichuan Lovage: 5g
Water: 1.5–2 liters
Optional: Ginger (3 slices), Jujubes (2)
Instructions:
Rinse herbs and place in a pot.
Add water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer on low for 60 minutes until the soup turns brown.
Strain and serve warm.
How Ba zhen Tang Works
Ba zhen Tang replenishes both qi and blood, addressing symptoms like:
Fatigue, shortness of breath, or weakness
Palpitations, insomnia, or dizziness
Pale complexion, pale tongue, weak pulse
Irregular or painful menstruation (especially in women)
It works by:
Boosting Qi: Ginseng, atractylodes, and poria strengthen the spleen for better energy and digestion.
Nourishing Blood: Rehmannia, angelica, and peony enrich blood and improve circulation.
Balancing the Body: Licorice and lovage ensure smooth qi and blood flow, easing discomfort.
Modern Uses
Ba Zhen Tang is widely used for:
General Weakness: Restores energy in those with low qi and blood, like after illness or surgery.
Women’s Health: Eases irregular periods, anemia, or postpartum fatigue.
Chronic Fatigue: Supports those with ongoing tiredness or poor appetite.
Its dual action makes it a versatile tonic for overall vitality.
Dietary and Lifestyle Support
To enhance Ba Zhen Tang’s effects:
Red Date and Goji Berry Tea: Nourishes blood and boosts qi.
Black Sesame Porridge: Supports kidney and blood health.
Mild Exercise: Walking or qigong promotes qi flow.
Avoid Cold Foods: Steer clear of raw, spicy, or greasy foods to protect digestion.
Things to Keep in Mind
Ba Zhen Tang is warming and nourishing, so use it cautiously:
Not for Severe Diarrhea or Poor Appetite: May worsen digestive issues.
Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Avoid, as it may affect the fetus or increase menstrual flow.
Menstrual Issues: Stop if periods are abnormal (e.g., heavy clots, early cycles) and consult a doctor.
Chronic Conditions: Use with caution in high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes; rehmannia may affect blood sugar.
Why Ba Zhen Tang Matters
Ba Zhen Tang is a TCM masterpiece, blending ginseng, rehmannia, and six other herbs to restore qi and blood. Like a nurturing embrace, it revitalizes the tired, supports women’s health, and strengthens digestion.
Rooted in ancient wisdom and thriving in modern practice, this formula shines when paired with supportive foods and expert guidance. By nourishing both energy and blood, Bazhen Tang helps you reclaim vitality and balance, proving the timeless power of Chinese herbal medicine.
Chinese Name | 八珍湯 |
Phonetic | Ba Zhen Tang |
English Name | Eight-Gem Decoction |
Classification | Tonic formulas |
Source | 《Empirical Formulas from the Auspicious Bamboo Hall》Rui Zhu Tang Jing Yan Fang《瑞竹堂經驗方》 |
Combination | Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Ren Shen) 1 liang (30g), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Bai Zhu) 1 liang (30g), Poria (Fu Ling) 1 liang (30g), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui) 1 liang (30g), Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuan Xiong) 1 liang (30g), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Bai Shao) 1 liang (30g), Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shu Di Huang) 1 liang (30g), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle (Zhi Gan Cao) 1 liang (30g) |
Method | Chop the medicinals into small pieces or cubes. Take nine grams of the formula; add five pieces of sheng jiang and one piece of da zao, and boil together with three hundred milliliters water until thirty percent of the water is vaporized. Remove the dregs and drink the soup whenever necessary. It is also commonly prepared as a decoction with the same ingredients. |
Action | Boosts qi and supplements blood. |
Indication | Ba Zhen Tang is intended for a syndrome of qi and blood deficiency marked by pale or withered-yellow complexion, dizziness, auditory vertigo, lassitude of the four limbs, shortness of breath, reluctance to speak, palpitations, and decreased food intake. The tongue is pale with a thin, white coating and the pulse is thready, weak or deficient, big, and weak. |
Pathogenesis | Patterns suitable for this formula are mostly those caused by delayed treatment in chronic illnesses, dysfunction following a disease, or massive blood loss. The disease is located in the heart, spleen, and liver. The complexion, dizziness, auditory vertigo, palpitation, pale tongue with a thin, white coating, and a thready pulse all indicate heart and liver blood deficiency. The heart governs the blood while the liver stores the blood. The complexion, lack of strength in the four limbs, shortness of breath, reluctance to speak, poor appetite, and deficient forceless pulse indicate spleen qi deficiency as it governs transportation and transformation of food into qi and blood. Therefore, the treatment must supplement both qi and blood. |
Application | 1. Essential pattern differentiation Ba Zhen Tang is commonly used for patterns of qi and blood deficiency. This clinical pattern is marked by shortness of breath, debilitation, vertigo, palpitations, pale tongue, thin, weak pulse. 2. Modern applications This formula may be used in the following biomedically-defined disorders when they have been differentiated as patterns of qi and blood deficiency: general weakness after a disease, various chronic diseases, menstrual irregularities, etc. |
Additonal formulae | 1. Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (Perfect Major Supplementation Decoction 十全大補湯) [Source]《Beneficial Formulas from the Taiping Imperial Pharmacy》Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang《太平惠民和劑局方》 [Ingredients] Ren shen 6g, rou gui 3g, chuan xiong 6g, shu di huang 12g, fu ling 9g, bai zhu 9g, gan cao (dry-fried) 3g, huang qi 12g, dang gui 9g, bai shao 9g, sheng jiang 3 pieces, da zao 2 pieces. [Preparation and Administration] Prepare it as a decoction. [Actions] Warms and nourishes qi and blood. [Applicable Patterns] Qi and blood deficiency. Symptoms include: a withered-yellow complexion, poor appetite, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, palpitation, spontaneous perspiration, night sweat, cold extremities, a pale tongue, a thready and weak pulse, irregular menstruation, flooding and spotting, sores or woundsthat are difficult to heal. Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang (Ginseng Supporting and Nourishing Decoction 人參養榮湯) [Source]《Treatise on Diseases, Patterns, and Formulas Related to the Unification of the Three Etiologies》San Yin Ji Yi Bing Zheng Fang Lun《三因極一病證方論》 [Ingredients] Zhi huang qi 1 liang (30g), dang gui 1 liang (30g),rou gui 1 liang (30g), zhi gan cao 1 liang (30g), ju pi 1 liang (30g), bai zhu 1 liang (30g), ren shen 1 liang (30g), bai shao 3 liang (90g), shu di huang 3 liang (90g), wu wei zi 3 fen (4g), fu ling 3 fen (4g), yuan zhi (dry-fried) 0.5 liang (15g), sheng jiang 3 pieces, da zao 2 pieces [Preparation and Administration] Prepare it as a decoction. [Actions] Replenishes qi and nourishes blood, tranquilizes the mind by nourishing the heart. [Applicable Patterns] Qi and blood deficiency of the heart and spleen. Symptoms include: lassitude, poor appetite, easily to be sacred, amnesia, insomnia, spontaneous sweating, deficient fire signs such as dry pharynx and lips, dry skin, emaciation, cough and shortness of breath, severe panting after movement, sores or wounds that cannot completely heal due to qi and blood deficiency. 2. Tai Shan Pan Shi San (Taishan Mountain Massive Rock Powder 泰山磐石散) [Source]《The Complete Compendium of Ancient and Modern Medical Works》Gu Jin Yi Tong Da Quan《古今醫統大全》 [Ingredients] Ren shen 1 qian (3g), zhi huang qi 1 qian (6g), bai zhu 2 qian (6g), zhi gan cao 5 fen (2g), dang gui 2 qian (3g), chuan xiong 8 fen (2g), bai shao 8 fen (3g), shu di huang 8 fen (3g), chuan xu duan 1 qian (3g), nuo mi 1 fistful (6g), huang qin 1 qian (3g), sha ren 5 fen (1.5g) [Preparation and Administration] Prepare it as a decoction. [Actions] Nourishes qi and fortifies the spleen, and supplements blood to prevent abortion. [Applicable Patterns] Fetus insecurity due to qi and blood deficiency. Symptoms include: early miscarriage, habitual miscarriage, restless fetus with a pale complexion, lassitude, no appetite, a pale tongue with a thin, white coating, and a slippery, forceless pulse. |
Remark | Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II. Its trade is allowed but subject to licensing controls. |
