Renshen-Yangying-Tang, Treats Various Deficiency Symptoms with Mental Issues.

Functions, Herb Roles, and Applications of Renshen-Uangyin Tang

By Ju Bong Kang, KMD

Function and Diagnosis  

This prescription is a combination of Bazhen-Tang and Huangqi-Jianzhong-Tang; the former compensates for the lack of the qi and blood, and the latter recovers the balance between Ying and Wei, invigorates the middle energizer and benefits qi.

Renshen-Yangying-Tang treats symptoms such as loss of appetite, lethargy, night sweats, spontaneous sweating, insomnia, forgetfulness, palpitation, dyspnea, short breath, back pain, and hair loss.

Bazhen-Tang is one of the constituent prescriptions included in Renshen-Yangying-Tang but is frequently used as a “cure-all prescription” for treating diseases and symptoms of qi and blood deficiencies. Both are frequently and widely used in patients with deficiency patterns in clinical practice, but the two prescriptions differ in effectiveness. Patients with Bazhen-Tang do not have many hypersensitivity or neurological symptoms compared to Renshen-Yangying-Tang patients.

In the source text “He Ji Ju Fang,” there are phrases such as “fright palpitation due to heart-deficiency” and “sad concern and miserable sorrow”, which can be considered as a neurosis, depression, or panic disorder. “Dong Yang Yi Xue Da Ci Dian” explained Renshen-Yangying-Tang as a prescription for invigorating-qi and nourishing-blood, tonifying the heart, and calming the spirit.

In this prescription, Shaoyao and Guizhi are monarch drugs.

Shaoyao has the highest dose and enriches the blood and supplements Yin, astringe sweating and alleviates pain. This drug improves spontaneous perspiration, night sweating, abdominal pain, dropsy of the chest and ribs, pain of the lower back and shoulder, foot and knee pain, women’s menstrual irregularities and pain, uterine bleeding, along with dizziness and tinnitus due to excess of the liver yang,

Guizhi promotes sweating and relieves superficies, regulates nutrients, activates Yang, induces diuresis, lowers the adverse qi downwards, resolves blood-stasis, and reinforces the middle energizer; therefore, nerve symptoms such as palpitation and “running-pig” symptoms are recovered as well as headache due to wind-cold, abdominal cold-type pain, arthralgia, phlegm-retention, and swelling.

Renshen, Huangqi, Danggui, and Shudihuang are minister drugs.

Renshen benefits qi, produces the fluid, and tranquilizes the mind. Huangqi replenishes qi, lifts Yang, and promotes diuresis, which relieves insomnia, depression, and panic. Shudihuang supplements essence-blood. Danggui supplements and activates the flow of blood.

These drugs combine with Guizhi and Shaoyao to form Shiquan-Dabu-Tang, which supplies Yin, Yang, qi and blood. Thus, it restores tiredness and lethargy and comforts the mind.

Baizhu, Fuling, Chenpi, Wuweizi, and Yuanzhi all work as adjuvant drugs. Gancao, Shengjiang, and Dazao become guiding drugs as well adjuvant drugs.

Baizhu and Fuling invigorate the spleen, promote diuresis, eliminate dampness, and resolve phlegm. Chenpi regulates qi and promotes digestion, dispelling phlegm retention and dampness stagnation. Wuweizi produces liquid, astringes perspiration, tranquilizes the mind, and benefits qi.

Yuanzhi eliminates phlegm, wakes up from unconsciousness, tranquilizes the mind, and improves forgetfulness. Gancao benefits qi as an adjuvant drug and mediates other drugs as a guiding drug.

Shengjiang and Dazao, as adjuvant drugs, reinforce the spleen and regulate the stomach, helping harmonize Ying-qi and Wei-qi.

Application

Loss of appetite, fatigue, lethargy, asthma, perspiration, forgetfulness, insomnia, heart palpitation, back pain, and joint pain.

It is often used to recover from fatigue, stabilize nerves, and improve physical strength in people with jobs that require a lot of mental energy. However, this prescription is not appropriate for people with excessive heat.

Distinction

Buzhong-Yiqi-Tang: If a patient has symptoms of perspiration, fatigue, or lethargy and the digestive function is very weak, Buzhong-Yiqi-Tang or Guipi-Tang is used.

 [Ingredients]