Yi Gong San — Extraordinary Merit Powder

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

Yi Gong San — the “Extraordinary Merit Powder” — is from Qian Yi’s Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue (c. 1119), the foundational TCM paediatric classic. It is essentially Si Jun Zi Tang with Chen Pi added — tonifying Spleen Qi while moving Qi to prevent the cloying effect of the tonics.

It is one of the gentlest and most widely used paediatric tonifying formulas for Spleen Qi deficiency with reduced appetite, soft stools, fatigue and poor weight gain in children. The addition of Chen Pi makes it more suitable than plain Si Jun Zi Tang for children who tend to bloat or whose appetite is poor.

I prescribe Yi Gong San as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Yi Gong San is prescribed for Spleen Qi deficiency with mild Qi stagnation:

• Poor appetite in children
• Bloating after eating
• Soft stools, sometimes with undigested food
• Fatigue, lethargy
• Poor weight gain or failure to thrive
• Pale complexion
• Easy bruising
• Frequent colds and lowered immunity
• Tongue — pale, possibly with teethmarks
• Pulse — soft, weak

Key herbs

1. Ren Shen — tonifies Spleen Qi (or Dang Shen for paediatric use)
2. Bai Zhu — tonifies Spleen and dries Damp
3. Fu Ling — drains Damp; calms Shen
4. Zhi Gan Cao — harmonises
5. Chen Pi — regulates Qi and harmonises Spleen

Formula actions

1. Tonifies Spleen Qi
2. Regulates Qi
3. Restores appetite and digestion
4. Resolves bloating

Conditions treated

1. Paediatric failure to thrive with Spleen Qi deficiency
2. Childhood poor appetite
3. Childhood chronic diarrhoea with loose stools and bloating
4. Childhood recurrent respiratory infections
5. Adult Spleen Qi deficiency with poor appetite and bloating
6. Convalescence after illness in any age group
7. Mild IBS-D with bloating — see IBS
8. Postpartum digestive weakness

Cautions

For paediatric use, doses are adjusted by age and weight. Always use under a qualified TCM paediatric practitioner.

Persistent failure to thrive in children needs paediatric medical assessment to exclude coeliac disease, food allergies, malabsorption and other conditions.

Not appropriate for Heat patterns or Yin deficiency.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.