Ten Treasures (Shi Quan Da Bu Tang) is traditionally referred to as the “Ten Ingredients Pill for complete supplementation”, indicated for its ability to warm and supplement Qi and Blood. It is based on the Eight Treasure Decoction (Ba Zhen Tang), with the addition of Chinese cinnamon bark and Astragalus root to assist in warming and strengthening the Qi, Blood and Yang. Ten Treasures is appropriate for any pattern where Lung, Spleen and Kidney Qi are depleted, accompanied by occasional generalized body weakness and a tendency towards cold hands and feet, occasional fatigue, reduced appetite and weakness of the lower extremities. It is important to note that one of the primary indications of this pattern is chilliness, due to a marked deficiency of Qi, Blood and Yang. Black jujube fruit and Ginger rhizome have been added to the base formula to further tonify the Spleen, and to harmonize and supplement the Middle Burner. Ten Treasures contains herbs from two essential formulas for building Blood and Qi − Four Substance Decoction (Si Wu Tang), which tonifies and gently invigorates the Blood and Four Gentlemen Decoction (Si Jun Zi Tang), which tonifies Qi and supports the Spleen. The rest of the herbs found in the formula warm and tonify Qi and Spleen. Four Substances is the foundational formula for tonifying Blood. It is suitable for any type of Blood deficiency pattern, while being most commonly used with patterns associated with Liver Blood deficiency. Four Substances nourishes Heart and Liver Blood, helping to relieve occasional feelings of irritability, anxiety, restlessness and forgetfulness. It comprises two pairs of herbs, each aimed at nourishing or invigorating Yin and Yang aspects of Blood, respectively. Prepared Rehmannia root and White peony root are both known for their ability to strongly tonify the Blood, a physical representation of Yin, as well as nourish and preserve the Yin. The second pair, Dong quai root and Sichuan lovage rhizome support and encourage the movement of Blood, thus preventing the formula from becoming cloying and heavy. Four Gentlemen is the foundational formula for Spleen Qi tonification. The Spleen Qi acts as the foundation for postnatal Qi in the body and is responsible for supplying the postnatal Essence from food, or Gu Qi, to the rest of the body. When the Spleen Qi is strong, the Essence of food is properly transformed into Qi to supply the body energy and Blood can be tonified. White Asian ginseng root and rhizome strongly augments Original Qi and Spleen Qi. It is the quintessential herb used for Qi tonification. It works synchronously with White atractylodes rhizome, to strengthen Spleen and dry Dampness. Poria strengthens the Spleen and drains Dampness. Honey fried Chinese licorice root and rhizome strengthens the Spleen and harmonizes the actions of the other three herbs. Astragalus root, one of the most Qi supplementing herbs, disperses Blood and Essence to the whole body by its Yang nature. It raises the Yang Qi, tonifies the Spleen and Lung Qi and tonifies Blood. Chinese cinnamon bark tonifies Spleen and Kidney Yang, warms the Heart Yang and leads the Fire back to its source to address upward floating deficient Yang. It is an auxiliary herb for long-standing deficiency of Qi and Blood, and assists Astragalus root in dispersing its warmth to the whole body. Black jujube fruit tonifies the Spleen, augments the Qi, clears Heat, moderates and harmonizes the actions of the other herbs. Ten Treasures includes the addition of two gentle and synergistic herbs to supplement and warm the Spleen further. A small amount of Ginger rhizome has been added to warm the Middle and revive the Yang. Together, the herbs in this formula gather Qi and Yang to support the Blood and Yin of the whole body. For a predominant Yang deficiency, Replenish the Right should be used instead. For deficient Qi and Blood with depleted Conception (Ren Mai) and Penetrating (Chong Mai) vessels, where the pattern presents with less Yang deficiency and Cold accumulation, Women’s Precious from the Kan Herbals line should be utilized. ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENTTen Ingredients Pill for Complete Supplementation (Shi Quan Da Bu Tang) is from the Imperial Grace Formulary of the Tai Ping Era (Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang).
Related
Related
Related
Related