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Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang: a good recipe for replenishing qi, dispelling wind, strengthening the spleen and promoting diuresis

Writer's picture: Hongji MedicalHongji Medical

Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang, also known as Stephania Root and Astragalus Decoction, comes from the Golden Guide and is a commonly used Chinese medicine prescription. Its main effects are to invigorate Qi and dispel wind, strengthen the spleen and benefit water, and it is mainly used to treat Fengshui or rheumatism syndrome with weak exterior. This article will introduce in detail the composition, efficacy, indications and application of Fangji Huangqi Decoction in modern medicine.


Composition of Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang


The main ingredients of Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang include:

  • Stephania tetrandra : 12g

  • Astragalus : 15g

  • Licorice : 6g, stir-fried

  • Atractylodes macrocephala : 9 g

  • Ginger : 4 slices

  • Date : 1 piece

usage

Add water to the above herbs and boil until 80% of the ingredients are cooked, remove the residue, and drink it warm. The dosage can be adjusted appropriately according to the condition.


Fangji Huangqi Decoction
防己黃芪湯

Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang Recipe Explanation


King of medicine: Astragalus

Astragalus is the main ingredient in Fangji Huangqi Decoction, and it mainly plays the role of replenishing Qi and strengthening the exterior. Astragalus has the following effects:

  • Replenish Qi and strengthen the exterior : Strengthen the body's positive energy and improve the body's resistance.

  • Diuresis and swelling reduction : Promote water metabolism and eliminate edema.


Minister drug: Stephania tetrandra

Fangji is the ministerial drug in Fangji Huangqi Decoction, which mainly plays the role of dispelling wind and promoting diuresis. Fangji has the following effects:

  • Diuretic and anti-edema : It is bitter and cold in nature, and can effectively eliminate dampness and relieve edema.

  • Dispel wind and relieve pain : It can dispel wind and dampness and relieve limb pain.




Adjuvant: Licorice, Atractylodes macrocephala

Licorice and Atractylodes macrocephala are adjuvants in Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang, which mainly play the role of harmonizing the medicinal properties and assisting in treatment.

  • Licorice :

    • Harmonizing medicinal properties : It is sweet and mild in nature, and can harmonize the cold and warm properties of Stephania tetrandra and Astragalus membranaceus, reducing side effects.

    • Enhanced efficacy : It can alleviate the dryness of Astragalus, making its Qi-replenishing effect more effective.

  • Atractylodes macrocephala :

    • Strengthen the spleen and benefit the body : It tastes sweet and is warm in nature. It can strengthen the spleen and replenish Qi, help Astragalus to replenish Qi, and can also work with Stephania tetrandra to dispel wind and benefit the body.

    • Synergistic effect : When used in combination with Astragalus, it can enhance the effect of replenishing Qi and strengthening the exterior, and alleviate the coldness of Stephania tetrandra.


Fangji Huangqi Decoction
防己黃芪湯

Ingredients: ginger, jujube

Ginger and jujube are the guiding herbs in Fangji Huangqi Decoction, and they mainly play the role of guiding and harmonizing.

  • Ginger :

    • Helps to strengthen Yang and transform Qi : It is warm in nature and can help Astragalus replenish Qi and strengthen the exterior, thus promoting the efficacy of the medicine.

    • Harmonizing medicinal properties : The warm nature can harmonize the cold and warm nature of Stephania tetrandra and Astragalus membranaceus.

  • Dates :

    • Nourishing the Middle and Strengthening Qi : It is sweet and warm in nature, can alleviate the dryness of the medicine, nourish the spleen and stomach, and make the medicine more mild.

    • Sweet and detoxifying : It can protect the spleen and stomach functions, prevent cold medicines from damaging the spleen and stomach, and has a detoxifying effect.


Pathogenesis of Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang


Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang is mainly used to treat Fengshui or rheumatism. These diseases are usually caused by the instability of the defensive qi in the superficial part of the body, which causes the evil wind and dampness to invade the skin surface, resulting in water and dampness being trapped in the skin. The following is a detailed analysis of these diseases:


Causes and symptoms

  • Wind evil and damp evil :

    • Wind evil : It has the characteristics of diffusion and leakage, and it is easy to cause many diseases. When wind evil enters the human body, it will open the pores of the skin and muscle layer, causing the qi in the body to dissipate, resulting in a feeling of qi deficiency and physical weakness.

    • Evil dampness : If it sticks to the body, it will become the root cause of many diseases. When evil dampness invades the human body, it will affect the circulation of qi and blood, block the meridians, and cause many pathological changes.


Fangji Huangqi Decoction
防己黃芪湯:外感風濕
  • Symptoms :

    • Fear of wind : People who suffer from rheumatism tend to be afraid of wind and feel cold when the wind blows.

    • Sweating : Wind evil has the characteristic of opening and venting, which can easily cause spontaneous sweating.

    • Joint pain : Rheumatism invades muscles, meridians and joints, blocking the flow of Qi and blood, causing joint pain, accompanied by discomfort symptoms such as soreness, swelling and numbness.

    • Body heaviness : Humidity is heavy and moisture is trapped in the skin, making the body feel heavy.

    • Edema : Moisture accumulates in the skin and may cause slight swelling.

  • Tongue and pulse :

    • Pale tongue with white coating : The tongue is pale in color, and the tongue coating is white and slightly sticky.

    • Floating pulse : Floating pulse is a sign of wind evil on the surface.


Fangji Huangqi Decoction
《黃帝內經.素問》中提到:「諸痙項強,皆屬於濕」

Classic Discussion


The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine states: "All cases of stiff necks are caused by dampness." This refers to the stiffness of the muscles in the neck and back that prevent the neck from bending forward or backward or moving left or right. In modern medicine, this condition is commonly seen in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.


Effects of Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang


The main effects of Fangji Huangqi Tang are to invigorate Qi and dispel wind, strengthen the spleen and promote diuresis. It is mainly used to treat the following symptoms:

  • Sweating and fear of wind : weak body surface, easy sweating, and fear of wind.

  • Heaviness and slight swelling : The body feels heavy, accompanied by slight swelling.

  • Limb pain : joint pain and limited movement.

  • Difficulty urinating : difficulty urinating and decreased urine volume.

  • The tongue is pale with white coating and the pulse is floating . The tongue is pale with white coating and the pulse is floating.


Fangji Huangqi Decoction
防己黃芪湯

Modern Applications


Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang is also widely used in modern medicine, mainly for the following diseases:

  • Chronic glomerulonephritis : Due to its diuretic and anti-edema effects, Fangji Huangqi Decoction can be used to treat edema caused by chronic glomerulonephritis.

  • Cardiogenic edema : For patients with cardiogenic edema, Fangji Huangqi Decoction can effectively improve the symptoms of edema.

  • Rheumatoid arthritis : Fangji Huangqi decoction has the effect of dispelling wind and relieving pain, and can be used to treat joint pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis.


Diet therapy


When taking Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang, you can combine it with some dietary therapy to enhance the efficacy. Here are some suggestions:

  1. Job's tears porridge : Job's tears have the effect of strengthening the spleen and promoting diuresis. When combined with Fangji Huangqi soup, it can enhance the effect of promoting diuresis and reducing swelling.

  2. Ginger and red date soup : Red dates and ginger have the effects of nourishing the middle and replenishing qi, warming the middle and dispelling cold, and relieving exterior symptoms and inducing sweating. Combined with Fangji Huangqi soup, it can alleviate the dryness of the medicine, nourish the spleen and stomach, help yang and transform qi, and promote the efficacy of the medicine.


    Ginger and Red Date Soup
    生薑紅棗湯

Notes

When using Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang, please note the following:

  • Those with severe swelling due to excessive water and dampness : If there is excessive water and dampness and the swelling is severe, this prescription should not be used.

  • Those who cannot sweat : If there is excessive water and dampness accumulation and the patient cannot sweat, this prescription is not suitable even if the patient has a floating pulse and severe wind.

  • Patients with gastrointestinal symptoms : This prescription should not be used by patients with edema accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, bloating, and loose stools.


Conclusion


Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription with a long history. Its main effects are to invigorate qi and dispel wind, strengthen the spleen and promote diuresis. In modern medicine, Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang is also widely used to treat a variety of diseases, such as chronic glomerulonephritis, cardiogenic edema, rheumatic arthritis, etc. When using Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang, combined with appropriate dietary therapy methods, it can enhance the efficacy and improve the patient's quality of life. I hope this article can provide you with valuable information to help you better understand and use Fangji Huangqi Decoction.

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