HERB FORMULAS

FANG JI HUANG QI TANG

English: Stephania and Astragalus Decoction
Also Known As: Stephania and Astragalus Combination

HERBS AND ACTIONS

Pharmaceutical Latin
Pin Yin
Dosage
Actions
Rx. Astragali Huang Qi 3.8-15g Strengthens the Spleen., tonifies Qi., tonifies Wei Qi, stabilizes the exterior, promotes urination and reduces edema.
With Bai Zhu, for Spleen Qi Deficiency with weakness, lassitude and loose stools.
With Han Fang Ji, for Wind edema with numbness, pain, swelling of the face and extremities, sweating, sensitivity to Wind, and reduced urination.
Rx. Stephaniae Tetrandrae Han Fang Ji 3-12g Promotes urination and reduces edema. (especially in the lower body), expels Wind-Dampness and alleviates pain.
With Huang Qi and Bai Zhu, for Wind-Dampness invasion with Wei Qi Deficiency causing superficial edema, heaviness of the body, and sweating.
Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae Bai Zhu 2.3-9g Tonifies the Spleen, tonifies Qi, dries Dampness, stabilizes the exterior and stops sweat.
Fried Rx. Glycyrrhizae Zhi Gan Cao 1.5-6g Tonifies the Spleen, tonifies Qi and moderates and harmonizes the properties of other herbs.
Rz. Zingiberis Recens Sheng Jiang 1-4g Releases the exterior, warms the Middle and adjusts the Ying and Wei.
With Da Zao, alleviates epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting by strengthening the Spleen, protects Stomach Qi and reduces irritation of the Gastrointestinal tract by other herbs.
Fr. Jujube Da Zao 1-6g Strengthens the Spleen, tonifies Qi and moderates and harmonizes the harsh properties of other herbs.

FORMULA ACTIONS

  • Augments Qi
  • Strengthens the Spleen
  • Releases the exterior
  • Promotes urination
  • Reduces edema
  • Regulates water circulation

SYNDROMES

  • Wind-Damp Edema
  • Wind-Damp (no edema)
  • Wind-Damp Bi
  • Wind-Damp Accumulation with Wei Qi Deficiency (Lung and Spleen Qi Deficiencies)

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

  • Sweating with aversion to Wind
  • Heavy sensation in the body
  • Superficial edema
  • Urinary difficulty
  • Knee pain
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Edema in lower legs
  • Fatigue
  • Edema in women with constitutional Deficiency
  • T: Pale
  • C: White or Swollen and moist
  • P: Floating and weak, or soft and thready

TREATS

  • Rheumatic Heart disease
  • Ascites
  • Acute glomerulonephritis
  • Chronic nephritis
  • Dysuria
  • Cardiac edema
  • Nephritic edema
  • Ephidrosis
  • Periarthritis of the shoulder
  • Hydronephrosis
  • Edema in the legs
  • Perspiration

CONTRAINDICATIONS AND HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Contraindicated for those with acute Excess type edema.
  • Contraindicated for those with Dampness Obstructing the Protective Yang.
  • Overdose can cause nausea and anorexia.
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

NOTES

  • It is best to re-administer the formula after a lengthy interval.

MODIFICATIONS

For abdominal pain: For wheezing and dyspnea:
Rx. Paeoniae Alba Bai Shao + 1-3 g Hb. Ephedrae Ma Huang
For vigorous Cold:
For severe Dampness with a sensation of heaviness in low back and legs:
+ Hb. Asari Xi Xin + Poria Fu Ling
For fullness and pain in the chest and abdomen:
 + Rz. Atractylodis Cang Zhu
+ Per Citri Reticulatae Chen Pi
or
+ Fr. Aurantii Zhi Ke + Poria Fu Ling
+ Fol. Perillae Zi Su Ye + Sm. Coicis Yi Yi Ren
For abdominal distention:
For Qi Deficiency:
+ Per Citri Reticulatae Chen Pi + Rx. Codonopsis Dang Shen
+ Fr. Aurantii Zhi Ke
For chronic nephritis:
For more severe edema:
+ Five Ingredient Powder with Poria
Wu Ling San
+ Poria Fu Ling
For hypertension:
+ Ram. Cinnamomi Gui Zhi + Rx. Salviae Miltiorrhizae Dan Shen
For reduced or painful urination:
For arthritis:
+ Talcum Hua Shi + Rx. Saposhnikoviae Fang Feng
For a sense of upward surging:
+ Rx. Angelicae Pubescentis Du Huo
+ Ram. Cinnamomi Gui Zhi + Poria Fu Ling
For edema, aversion to Wind and Anhidrosis due to an Exterior Wind Invasion:
For edema and swelling due to Dampness:
+ Hb. Ephedrae Ma Huang

+ Five Ingredient Powder with Poria
Wu Ling San
+ Rz. Atractylodis Cang Zhu
For chest and abdominal fullness and distention:
+ Scl. Poriae cocos Fu Ling + Per. Citri Reticulatae Chen Pi
+ Sm. Coicis Yi Yi Ren + Cx. Magnoliae Officinalis Hou Po
For rapid breathing and dyspnea:
For heaviness and pain of the joints:
+ Sm. Lepidii/Descurainiae Ting Li Zi + Rz. Atractylodis Cang Zhu
+ Cx. Magnoliae Officinalis Hou Po + Sm. Coicis Yi Yi Ren
+ Sm. Armeniacae Xing Ren + Rx.et Rz. Clematidis Wei Ling Xian
For Bi syndrome:
 + Fr. Chaenomelis Mu Gua
+ Rx. Angelicae Sinensis Dang Gui    
+ Ram. Cinnamomi Gui Zhi