Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (十全大补汤) — Ten-Treasure Great Tonifying Decoction
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What is Shi Quan Da Bu Tang?
Shi Quan Da Bu Tang — Ten-Treasure Great Tonifying Decoction — is a classical Song dynasty formula from the Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (1107). It combines the foundational Qi tonic Si Jun Zi Tang with the foundational Blood tonic Si Wu Tang, plus Huang Qi and Rou Gui, to address combined Qi-Blood-Yang deficiency. It is one of the most widely used formulas in Chinese herbal medicine for chronic convalescence, post-operative recovery and chemotherapy support.
I prescribe Shi Quan Da Bu Tang as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.
Shi Quan Da Bu Tang TCM pattern
Prescribed for combined Qi, Blood and Yang deficiency: chronic fatigue[9], pallor, mild palpitations, weak appetite, cold extremities, weak voice, scanty pale menstruation in women, lassitude after illness, a pale tongue with a thin white coat and a thin or weak pulse.
Key herbs
- Ren Shen (Rx. Ginseng, 6-9g), Bai Zhu (Rz. Atractylodes Macrocephalae, 9-12g), Fu Ling (Poria, 6-9g), Gan Cao (Rx. Glycyrrhizae, 3-6g) — Si Jun Zi Tang core, tonifies Qi
- Dang Gui (Rx. Angelicae Sinensis, 9-12g), Chuan Xiong (Rx. Chuanxiong, 3-6g), Bai Shao (Rx. Paeoniae Alba, 6-9g), Shu Di Huang (Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata, 9-15g) — Si Wu Tang core, tonifies and moves Blood
- Huang Qi (Rx. Astragali, 6-10g) — reinforces Qi tonification and stabilises the exterior
- Rou Gui (Cx. Cinnamomi, 3-6g) — warms Yang and disperses Cold
Formula actions
- Tonifies Qi and Blood together
- Warms and reinforces Yang
- Restores convalescent vitality
Conditions treated
- Chronic fatigue, weakness and exhaustion in deficient constitutions
- Post-operative convalescence
- Anaemia (iron-deficient and chronic-disease) alongside conventional treatment
- Chemotherapy and radiotherapy support (well-studied Kampo Juzentaihoto)
- Recurrent miscarriage[15] with Qi-Blood-Yang deficiency
- Slow-healing chronic wounds and pressure sores
Cautions
Contraindicated in active acute infection, heat-pattern presentations and pregnancy without specialist supervision. Patients on warfarin or oncology drugs should use only under joint supervision of their consultant and a qualified herbalist (Dang Gui and Chuan Xiong have antiplatelet activity).
Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available.
Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.
References
[9] Wang YY, Li XX, Liu JP, Luo H, Ma LX, Alraek T. Traditional Chinese medicine for chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Complement Ther Med. 2014 Aug;22(4):826-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2014.06.004. PMID: 25146086.
[15] Xie H, Zhang A, Mou X, He T, Li J, Wang CC, Fan X, Li L. Chinese herbal medicine for threatened miscarriage: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pharmacol. 2023 Feb 14;14:1083746. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1083746. PMID: 36865912.
Comparison with related formulas
- Ba Zhen Tang — the eight-herb Qi-and-Blood tonic (Si Jun Zi plus Si Wu). Shi Quan Da Bu Tang is Ba Zhen Tang with Huang Qi and Rou Gui added, so it is chosen when there is an added Yang-deficient cold element on top of Qi and Blood deficiency — cold limbs, aversion to cold and deeper exhaustion.
- Gui Pi Tang — for Spleen-and-Heart Qi-Blood deficiency with worry, poor memory and broken sleep. Use it when the picture is more mental-emotional; use Shi Quan Da Bu Tang when it is more physical depletion with cold.
Frequently asked questions
What is Shi Quan Da Bu Tang used for?
Shi Quan Da Bu Tang is used for the TCM pattern of combined Qi, Blood and Yang deficiency — deep tiredness, pallor, cold hands and feet, poor appetite, weak recovery after illness or surgery, and scanty pale periods in women. In practice it is most often prescribed for convalescence, for constitutional coldness with exhaustion, and as supportive care alongside conventional cancer treatment.
Is Shi Quan Da Bu Tang the same as Juzentaihoto?
Yes. Juzentaihoto (JTT, TJ-48) is the Japanese Kampo name for the same ten-herb formula, and much of the modern research on the formula — particularly in supportive cancer care — has been published under the Japanese name. The composition is the same.
Can I take Shi Quan Da Bu Tang during chemotherapy?
Only with the agreement of your oncology team and under the joint supervision of a qualified herbalist. It is used as complementary support — to help with energy, appetite and general wellbeing — alongside conventional treatment, not as a treatment for cancer itself. Some of its herbs have mild antiplatelet activity, so timing around surgery and any interaction with oncology drugs must be checked case by case.
What is the difference between Shi Quan Da Bu Tang and Ba Zhen Tang?
Ba Zhen Tang tonifies Qi and Blood. Shi Quan Da Bu Tang is Ba Zhen Tang with Huang Qi (more Qi, and stabilising the surface) and Rou Gui (warming Yang) added. Choose Shi Quan Da Bu Tang when there is a clear cold, Yang-deficient element — cold limbs, aversion to cold and deeper fatigue — layered on top of Qi and Blood deficiency.
How long does Shi Quan Da Bu Tang take to work?
For convalescence and fatigue, most people notice a gradual lift in energy and appetite over 4–8 weeks of daily use, with deeper constitutional change over 3–6 months. It is a building tonic rather than a quick fix, so it is taken as a reviewed course.
Who should not take Shi Quan Da Bu Tang?
It is not suitable during acute infections or fevers, in heat-pattern presentations, or in pregnancy without specialist supervision. Anyone on warfarin or oncology medication should take it only under the joint care of their consultant and a qualified herbalist. Always have it prescribed by a herbalist registered with the RCHM.
Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.
