Herbal Spotlight: Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang

As many of you know, Chinese herbal medicine works with formulations—combinations of herbs.

Herbs are combined in strategic ways that enhance and support each other’s benefits.

In Chinese medicine, we don’t use a “this for that” model that, unfortunately, has become so pervasive in what we might call social media herbalism or new age herbalism.

Instead, we identify what is disharmonious in the individual’s health and select a formula that addresses the imbalances. The symptoms the individual is experiencing are borne out of those disharmonies, so really, we’re getting to the root issue.

In real life, this might look like two completely different formula selections for two women who both come to me with fertility struggles or menstrual cycle irregularities. Or, I may see several members of the same family with digestive issues, but each person receives a different herbal formula.

This is one of the major strengths of individualized medicine.

Today, let’s zoom in on a classic qi tonic in Chinese medicine.

In Chinese medicine, qi (pronounced "chee") is your body’s vital energy—it powers everything from movement to digestion to thinking clearly. When your qi is deficient, you might feel fatigued, cold, have a poor appetite, or get sick more easily.

Qi tonics are herbal formulas that help build up this energy, kind of like nourishing your internal battery so you can feel stronger and more balanced.

The formula I’m thinking of is called Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang or “Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Decoction”. It contains 10 herbs that work together to support the middle of the body, which we recognize to be the spleen and stomach.

The spleen and stomach transform food into usable energy and distribute that energy throughout the body. When the spleen is weak, you may feel:

• Tired, especially after eating or physical activity

• Mentally foggy or ungrounded

• Easily affected by changes in posture (e.g., dizziness when standing)

• Prone to digestive issues like bloating, loose stools, or poor appetite

• Vulnerable to organ prolapse (like uterine, rectal, or gastric prolapse)

If qi, especially spleen qi, becomes so weak that it cannot "hold things up," we may see:

• Prolapse

• Chronic diarrhea

• Low energy that worsens with activity

• A general feeling of heaviness or being weighed down

This is where Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang comes in. 😊

This formula comes to mind often because many people I see struggle with disharmonies that relate to qi deficiencies. Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang stands out because it:

Tonifies the spleen and stomach qi

→ Strengthens digestion, energy, and metabolism

Raises the yang qi of the middle jiao (middle of the body, where the spleen and stomach are)

→ Helps lift what has sunk downward (organs, energy, mood)

Supports the body in holding and containing

→ Helps prevent further qi collapse or leakage (e.g., chronic diarrhea, prolapse, spontaneous sweating)

We don’t use Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang to just “give more energy,” but to restore the body's ability to lift, hold, and center. It’s a way to support the body in reestablishing its natural upward and outward momentum — vital for vitality, clarity, and movement in life.

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is one of many herbal formulas that have been used for centuries. It dates back to 1247 AD, giving us a long history of documentation—both ancient and modern—on how these herbs work together to support the body.

If you are curious to learn how Chinese herbal medicine might support a health issue you’re going through, you are welcome to schedule a free Compatibility Chat with me here.

In any case, I’m always happy to hear your questions about Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang—you can respond directly to this email. 📧

Warmly,

Artemisia

Artemisia Obi, MA

Chinese Medicine Practitioner | Clinical Herbalist

innervillagehealth.com 

@innervillagehealth