Tonify — herbs and formulas (补益剂)
The Tonifying category is one of the largest and most-used in modern clinical practice. Tonifying formulas address insufficiency of Qi, Blood, Yin or Yang, individually or in combination.
Sub-categories
- Tonify Qi — Si Jun Zi Tang, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
- Tonify Blood — Si Wu Tang, Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang
- Tonify Qi and Blood — Ba Zhen Tang, Shi Quan Da Bu Tang, Gui Pi Tang
- Tonify Yin — Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan, Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, Da Bu Yin Wan, Zuo Gui Wan, Yi Guan Jian
- Tonify Yang — Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan, You Gui Wan, Er Xian Tang
Herbs in this category
The following individual herbs belong to this category in the Chinese Materia Medica:
Qi tonics (14 herbs)
- Bai Bian Dou (White Hyacinth Bean)
- Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes rhizome)
- Da Zao (Chinese date / Red jujube)
- Dang Shen (Codonopsis root)
- Gan Cao (Licorice Root)
- Ginseng
- Hong Jing Tian (Rhodiola)
- Huang Qi (Astragalus Root)
- Lion's Mane Mushroom
- Maitake Mushroom
- Shan Yao (Chinese Yam (Dioscorea))
- Shiitake Mushroom
- Tai Zi Shen (Pseudostellaria Root)
- Xi Yang Shen (American Ginseng)
Blood tonics (5 herbs)
- Bai Shao (White Peony Root)
- Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root (Dong Quai))
- He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti Root (He Shou Wu))
- Long Yan Rou (Longan Fruit)
- Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia Root)
Yin tonics (11 herbs)
- Bai He (Lily bulb)
- Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry / Wolfberry)
- Han Lian Cao (Eclipta)
- Huang Jing (Solomon's Seal Rhizome)
- Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber (Lilyturf Root))
- Nu Zhen Zi (Glossy privet fruit / Ligustrum)
- Sha Shen (Glehnia / Adenophora Root)
- Shi Hu (Dendrobium Stem)
- Tian Men Dong (Asparagus tuber / Chinese asparagus root)
- Xuan Shen (Scrophularia Root)
- Yu Zhu (Solomon's Seal Rhizome)
Yang tonics (9 herbs)
- Ba Ji Tian (Morinda root / Indian Mulberry root)
- Bu Gu Zhi (Psoralea Fruit)
- Dong Chong Xia Cao (Cordyceps)
- Du Zhong (Eucommia bark)
- Gu Sui Bu (Drynaria Rhizome)
- Rou Cong Rong (Cistanche)
- Tu Si Zi (Dodder Seed (Cuscuta))
- Xu Duan (Teasel root)
- Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium / Horny Goat Weed)
Formulas in this category
The following classical and modern formulas in this category are detailed individually in the formula directory:
- Si Jun Zi Tang — Spleen Qi deficiency
- Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang — Spleen Qi sinking
- Shen Ling Bai Zhu San — Spleen Qi with Damp
- Sheng Mai San — Lung-Heart Qi and Yin
- Si Wu Tang — Blood deficiency
- Ba Zhen Tang — Qi-Blood dual deficiency
- Gui Pi Tang — Heart-Spleen Blood deficiency
- Liu Wei Di Huang Wan — Kidney Yin deficiency
- Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan — Yin deficiency with empty heat
- Qi Ju Di Huang Wan — Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency with eye symptoms
- Da Bu Yin Wan — severe Kidney Yin deficiency with empty fire
- Zuo Gui Wan — substantial Kidney Yin tonification
- Yi Guan Jian — Liver Yin deficiency
- Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan — Kidney Yang deficiency
- You Gui Wan — substantial Kidney Yang tonification
- Er Xian Tang — menopausal combined Yin-Yang deficiency
Browse the full formula directory for over 260 individual formula pages.
When this category is used
Formulas that Tonify are typically prescribed for: chronic fatigue, anaemia, post-illness recovery, menopause, infertility, postpartum, ageing, chronic depletion. The choice of specific formula within the category is determined by precise Eight Principles pattern differentiation in clinical consultation.
About prescribing
Chinese herbal formulas are dispensed by qualified practitioners following individual TCM diagnosis. The herbs I prescribe are pharmaceutical-grade granules from Sun Ten in Taiwan, tested to the highest international quality and safety standards. Online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.
Return to the Chinese herbal medicine main page or browse individual herbs.
