People's Herbs: Modified Astragalus & Ginseng

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This formula is a modification of Li Dong-yuan’s Huang Qi Ren Shen Tang as found in the Pi Wei Lun (Treatise on the Spleen & Stomach). It may also be referred to as a combination of Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Supplement the Center & Boost the Qi Decoction) plus Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Wind-screen Powder) with added ingredients. Our version is a 10:1 extract.

For more information about the Chinese medical prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis, see Bob Flaws’s Curing Hayfever Naturally with Chinese Medicine published by Blue Poppy Press.

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Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni)</td>
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65 mg</td>
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Huang Qi (Radix Astragali)</td>
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46 mg</td>
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Mai Men Dong (Tuber Ophiopogonis)</td>
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37 mg</td>
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Dang Shen (Radix Codonopsis)</td>
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28 mg</td>
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Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae)</td>
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28 mg</td>
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Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis)</td>
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28 mg</td>
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Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae)</td>
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28 mg</td>
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Sheng Jiang (uncooked Rhizoma Zingiberis)</td>
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28 mg</td>
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Fang Feng (Radix Sapshnikoviae)</td>
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28 mg</td>
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Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae)</td>
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28 mg</td>
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Wu Mei (Fructus Mume)</td>
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28 mg</td>
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Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae)</td>
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28 mg</td>
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Huang Bai (Cortex Phellodendri)</td>
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28 mg</td>
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Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae)</td>
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18 mg</td>
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Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae)</td>
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18 mg</td>
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Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis)</td>
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18 mg</td>
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Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri)</td>
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9 mg</td>
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Sheng Ma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae)</td>
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9 mg</td>
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This formula is for the treatment of spleen qi vacuity resulting in lung qi vacuity, and thus insecure defensive qi and/or lingering wind evils retained in the defensive exterior. Because of the close reciprocal relationship of the lungs, spleen, and kidneys vis à vis the engenderment and functioning of the qi or due to immaturity, such a lungspleen vacuity is often complicated by a kidney vacuity. In addition, because the lungs, spleen, and kidneys are the three viscera which control the movement and transformation of body fluids, there is concomitant, enduring phlegm dampness. Prevention of seasonal allergic rhinitis or hay fever In terms of diseases, this formula is meant to be taken preventively for allergic rhinitis of wind cold nature. That means allergic rhinitis with profuse, clear, phlegm, sneezing, and nasal congestion. However, this formula, by itself, is not meant for the treatment of acute allergic episodes. In particular, this formula is best for the prevention of allergic rhinitis occurring in the fall. In that case, one can begin administration of these capsules in June to prevent autumn attacks or at least two weeks before expected seasonal recurrences.

THE SYMPTOMS OF SPLEEN QI VACUITY INCLUDE
<ul>
<li>
fatigue, especially after eating</li>
<li>
a tendency towards loose stools</li>
<li>
abdominal bloating after eating</li>
<li>
a craving for sweets</li>
<li>
a typically slippery pulse</li>
<li>
a possible history of antibiotic use</li>
<li>
a wet, swollen tongue with teeth marks on its’ edges</li>
<li>
possible white, slimy tongue fur at least at the</li>
<li>
possible cold hands and feet (though often tongue root not)</li>
</ul>

However, according to many Chinese doctors, if one has allergic rhinitis, one does have at least a constitutional spleenlung vacuity. This is based on the middle burner being the source of the engenderment of the defensive qi. Also, everyone who is invaded by an unseen airborne pathogen which does not cause problems for the majority of other people exposed to such allergens does have, ipso facto, a defensive qi vacuity.

Symptoms of a kidney qi vacuity may not be readily apparent. Often such kidney vacuity is a function of immaturity or, on the other end of the spectrum, aging.

PHLEGM DAMPNESS IS EVIDENCED BY
<ul>
<li>
profuse phlegm</li>
<li>
a wet tongue with possibly slimy fur</li>
<li>
a tendency towards runny nose</li>
</ul>

According to Chinese medical theory, the vast majority of allergic rhinitis sufferers do have chronic, enduring deeplying phlegm dampness. “The spleen is the root of phlegm engenderment; the lungs are the place where phlegm is stored.”

In addition, most sufferers of allergic rhinitis will have some element of liver depression, as evidenced by the almost ubiquitous bowstring or wiry pulse. Such liver depression qi stagnation negatively effects the lung and spleen function and the movement and transportation of body fluids. Conversely, phlegm dampness and poor lungspleen function adversely effect the free and easy flow of qi.

Huang Qi (Radix Astragali), Dang Shen (Radix Codonopsis), Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), Cang Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis), mixfried Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae), and Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae) all fortify the spleen the spleen and supplement the qi. Because the spleen is the source of the lung qi, and the latter heaven supports and bolsters the former heaven, these medicinals also supplement the lung and kidney qi. This is why Li Dongyuan referred to the spleen qi as the original qi and said that these medicinals supplement the original qi. Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) and Sheng Ma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae) both upbear yang, thus helping to boost the qi and supplement the great or lung qi. Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae), Wu Mei (Fructus Mume), and Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni) are all astringents. They secure the exterior, thus preventing invasion by external evils, and they astringe leakage. In addition, although Shan Zhu Yu is described as a kidney yang supplement, it supplements kidney yin and yang in a balanced manner. Hence it addresses elements of either kidney yin or yang vacuity, depending on the individual case. Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae), Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae), and Sheng Jiang (uncooked Rhizoma Zingiberis) transform phlegm and eliminate dampness. Mai Men Dong (Tuber Ophiopogonis) and Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) help Gan Cao prevent the windy, drynatured medicinals in this formula from damaging yin fluids. Mai Men Dong also transforms phlegm and Dang Gui also softens and, therefore, harmonizes the liver. Fang Feng (Radix Sapshnikoviae) resolves the exterior and dispels wind without harming the righteous qi. It is used to outthrust any evils which might be lingering in the exterior. Huang Bai (Cortex Phellodendri) clear any vacuity and/or damp (i.e., summerheat) heat which may be damaging the spleen, lung, and kidney qi.

On page 85 of the Pi Wei Lun (Blue Poppy edition), Li says, “When the spleen and stomach are vacuous and weak, the qi of the upper burner is insufficient.” Li then goes on to say that, if due to invasion of external evils taking advantage of this vacuity, symptoms of lung (respiratory) and large intestine (defecatory) disturbance may arise. In that case, one must first assist the original qi (meaning the spleen qi) and regulate insufficient lung and large intestine metal. For this, Li recommends Huang Qi Ren Shen Tang. Li further goes on to describe how the heat of summer may damage the spleen, lungs, and kidneys and how one can use this formula to treat and prevent such damage.

If, in the heat of summer, a person with perduring disease due to vacuous and damaged spleen and stomach neglects to nurture and adapt themselves, acting counter to the season . . . , they will inevitably contract drowsiness and weakness, disinclination to speak, shortness of breath, qi weakness, dyspneic distressed rapid breathing, fatigued and weak bones, a dreamy appearance, clouded vision as if shrouded in clouds of smoke, and lack of consciousness of one’s own body.

In the following paragraph, Li goes on to explain how, in this case, invading wind may give rise to a “struggle between wind and dampness (with) headache, heavyheadedness, congested exuberant heat in the upper (burner or part of the body), shortness of breath through mouth or nose, distressed, rapid breathing, vexed and agitated body and heart, pessimism, sadness, and despondency (all emotions associated with the lungs, which) demonstrate yin overwhelming yang in the extreme.”

During acute allergic rhinitis episodes, this formula can be taken with Bi Yan Pian (Rhinitis Tablets). In cases with pronounced symptoms of kidney yang vacuity, it can be combined with Ba Wei Di Huang Wan (Eight Flavors Rehmannia Pills) or Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pills). In cases with pronounced symptoms of yin vacuity, this formula can be combined with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six Flavors Rehmannia Pills). For more pronounced phlegm dampness, it may be combined with Er Chen Wan (Two Aged [Ingredients] Pills). For more pronounced liver depression, it may be combined with Xiao Yao Wan (Rambling Pills). If cold evils have transformed into heat, it may be combined with either Dan Zhi Xiao Yao Wan (Moutan & Gardenia Rambling Pills) or Xiao Chai Hu Tang Wan (Minor Bupleurum Decoction Pills). If allergic episodes recur monthly around a woman’s menses and there are signs and symptoms of blood vacuity and/or blood stasis, consider combining with Tao Hong Si Wu Tang Wan (Persica & Carthamus Four Materials Decoction Pills). For more obvious fluid dryness, combine with Sheng Mai San Wan (Engender the Pulse Powder Pills).

Creating a line of exceptional products for Chinese medical practitioners requires quality assurance that incorporates traditional knowledge as well as science. At Blue Poppy, we deeply value the traditional knowledge and techniques of Chinese medicine, and we meticulously reproduce the traditional decoction process with only the best raw herbs.

Our herbs are carefully selected by experts trained in traditional herbal quality discernment, and we rely upon a stable network of GAP farms and trusted wholesalers for all of our raw materials. An in-house sourcing expert at our manufacturing facility evaluates the herbs with both traditional assessment techniques and modern methods incorporating TLC and HPLC, and our own on-staff herbal expert Eric Brand personally travels to China to verify their authenticity and quality.

Blue Poppy products undergo one of the most comprehensive testing regimes in the industry. We are the only company in the industry to use a third-party certified FDA cGMP manufacturing facility in conjunction with third-party lab testing for every batch of every formula. We test every formula for microbiologic contaminants, heavy metals and pesticide residue.

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