Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang — Raise the Yang and Benefit the Stomach Decoction
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Overview
Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang — Raise the Yang and Benefit the Stomach Decoction — is one of the most clinically valuable formulas devised by Li Dongyuan, the Jin-dynasty founder of the “Earth School” of Chinese medicine, in his foundational text Pi Wei Lun (Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach). It addresses the layered presentation of Spleen-Stomach Qi deficiency where the clear Yang fails to ascend, Damp obstructs the Middle Jiao, and lingering Wind-Damp aggravates the picture. This is the modern presentation of chronic fatigue with digestive sluggishness, post-viral exhaustion, alternating bowel habits and seasonal joint or muscle aches that worsen with weather changes. It is similar to Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang in tonifying centre Qi and lifting Yang but distinguished by its additional use of Wind-expelling herbs (Qiang Huo, Du Huo, Fang Feng) to address the surface and joint involvement.
TCM pattern
Prescribed for Spleen-Stomach Qi deficiency with sinking Yang and lingering Wind-Damp, characterised by: chronic fatigue with afternoon worsening; reduced appetite and bloating after small meals; alternating loose stools and reduced motions; cold limbs that warm slowly; lingering muscle and joint aches that move with the weather; pale complexion; reluctance to speak; a pale, swollen tongue with teeth-marks and a thin white coating; and a moderate, soft or thready pulse.
Key herbs
- Huang Qi (Astragalus root) — chief; powerfully tonifies Spleen-Lung Qi and lifts sinking Yang
- Ren Shen (Panax ginseng root) — tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi
- Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala) — tonifies Spleen Qi and dries Damp
- Zhi Gan Cao (honey-fried licorice) — tonifies Middle Qi and harmonises
- Chai Hu (Bupleurum) — lifts the clear Yang
- Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga) — lifts the clear Yang from the Middle
- Qiang Huo (Notopterygium) — expels Wind-Damp from the upper body
- Du Huo (Angelica pubescens) — expels Wind-Damp from the lower body
- Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia) — expels Wind and dries Damp
- Ze Xie (Alisma) — drains Damp through urination
- Fu Ling (poria) — tonifies Spleen and drains Damp
- Chen Pi (tangerine peel) — regulates Qi
- Ban Xia (Pinellia) — resolves Phlegm-Damp
- Bai Shao (white peony) — nourishes Liver Blood and Yin
Formula actions
- Tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi
- Raises the clear Yang
- Drains Damp
- Expels lingering Wind-Damp
Conditions treated
- Chronic fatigue syndrome with digestive sluggishness and post-exertional malaise
- Long COVID with Spleen-Qi exhaustion and lingering joint or muscle aches
- Post-viral fatigue with chronic loose stools and reduced appetite
- Chronic functional diarrhoea from Spleen Yang sinking
- Rectal prolapse, uterine prolapse and gastric ptosis from Qi sinking
- Seasonal fatigue worsened by damp or cold weather
- Adrenal-type exhaustion with weather-sensitive joint pain
- Post-natal exhaustion with chronic loose stools and water retention
Cautions
Not appropriate for Yin-deficiency patterns with internal Heat. Caution in pregnancy. Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available. See the prices page for costs.
Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide. After a full video consultation, Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto formulates a bespoke herbal prescription and posts your Chinese herbs directly to your door.
