BLACK PEARL BP005 BU ZHONG YI QI WAN GINSENG & ASTRAGALUS

BU ZHONG YI QI WAN
補中益氣丸
Ginseng & Astragalus Combination
Product Code: BP005

TCM Actions
Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach (middle Jiao) Qi, raises the Yang Qi of the middle Jiao, tonifies the Lung Qi and the defensive Qi.

Indications
General debility after severe illness, chronic fatigue syndrome, general weakness, chronic illness (e.g. chronic enteritis, chronic pharyngitis, chronic recurrent cystitis), internal organ prolapse (e.g. uterine prolapse, rectal prolapse, gastroptosis), haemorrhoids, idiopathic fever, hypotension.

Dosage & Course Of Treatment
8 pills, 3 times daily, half to one hour away from food.

Course of treatment: 2 – 6 months

Signs and Syndromes
Deficiency of the Spleen and Stomach Qi Spleen Qi sinking

Fatigue

Muscular weakness, poor muscle tone

Spontaneous perspiration

Poor appetite

Intolerance of cold

Thirst

Organ prolapse (uterus, bowels, stomach)

Chronic diarrhoea

Low-grade fever that worsens on exertion

Dull headache

Shortness of breath

Pale tongue that may also be swollen and have tooth marks

Weak pulse

Cautions & Contraindications
Caution for those on anti-coagulant medications (i.e. heparin, warfarin or aspirin).

If taking antibiotics, allow at least 90 minutes before taking this formula.

Do not use in cases with Liver Yang hyperactivity or headaches due to excess Heat or Fire.

Comments
This formula was developed by Li Gao (a.k.a. Li Dong-yuan) and first appeared in ‘Treatise on the Differentiation of Endogenous and Exogenous Injuries’ (nei wai shang bian huo lun), 1247. His other major work, published two years later, ‘Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach’ (pi wei lun), elaborates on the uses of this formula with reference to Spleen and Stomach deficiency syndromes. The formula was originally described in the context of the treatment of febrile illness due to Qi deficiency. It was also used for the basic syndrome of Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency, from which may arise a wide variety of disorders. The genius of Li Dong-yuan is clearly epitomised in the construction of this formula. Li’s important contribution to TCM was in pointing out the importance of the way in which the ascending and descending movements of the Qi are controlled by the organs of the middle Jiao: the Spleen controls the former, while the Stomach controls the latter. This has far-reaching consequences in diagnostics as well as therapeutics. Li discovered that by using low doses of acrid Exterior-releasing (exogenous Wind-dispelling) herbs – which have an ascending-floating direction of action – along with Spleen Qi tonifying herbs, particularly those with an ascending direction of action, such as Astragalus (huang qi) and Ginseng (ren shen), the normal ascending Qi movement of the middle Jiao, and hence of the whole body, may be restored. In this way, the formula treats Spleen Qi deficiency with sinking of the Spleen (Yang) Qi by tonifying the Spleen and Stomach to promote the normal ascending movement of their Yang Qi. Thus, it is effective in the treatment of organ prolapse. In addition, this unique formula is used as the basis for treating Yin Fire syndromes. These are a class of disorders characterised by pathological Heat or Fire due to the invasion of the Upper and/or middle Jiao by the ministerial Fire (xiang huo), which should normally be confined to the lower Jiao (as part of normal Kidney function – the ‘Fire within Water’). In many cases Spleen Qi deficiency with sinking of the Spleen Qi is the primary cause of Yin Fire. Such cases manifest with a fever that is intermittent and may be brought on or worsened by physical exertion. There is also thirst with the desire for warm beverages and intolerance of cold.

Ingredients
ASTRAGALUS MEMBRANACEUS, ROOT (huang qi) – 黃芪 – 64.3mg
CODONOPSIS PILOSULA, ROOT (dang shen) – 黨參 – 64.3mg
ATRACTYLODES MACROCEPHALA, RHIZ. (bai zhu) – 白術 – 53.9mg
ANGELICA POLYMORPHA, ROOT (dang-gui) – 當歸 – 32.1mg
GLYCYRRHIZA URALENSIS, ROOT (gan cao) – 甘草 – 32.1mg
ACTAEA CIMICIFUGA, RHIZ. (sheng ma) – 升麻 – 32.1mg
BUPLEURUM FALCATUM, ROOT (chai hu) – 柴胡 – 32.1mg
CITRUS RETICULATA, FRUIT PEEL (chen pi) – 陳皮 – 21.3mg
ZINGIBER OFFICINALE, RHIZ. (sheng jiang) – 生薑 – 21.3mg
ZIZIPHUS JUJUBA, FRUIT (da zao) – 大棗 – 21.3mg