Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang
Star黄芪建中汤 (Astragalus Decoction to Construct the Middle)
Source: Jin Gui Yao Lue — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang (Astragalus Decoction to Construct the Middle), from the Jin Gui Yao Lue (Essentials from the Golden Cabinet) by Zhang Zhong-Jing.
Actions: Warms the middle jiao and tonifies qi; Harmonizes the interior and relieves pain.
Presentation: Deficiency and cold of the middle jiao with severe qi deficiency: abdominal pain that decreases with warmth and pressure, a sallow and dull complexion, and a pale tongue with a white coating; possibly palpitations, fidgeting, irritability, spontaneous perspiration, shortness of breath, lethargy, and a dry mouth and throat.
Composition: Xiao Jian Zhong Tang plus Huang Qi; the base formula tonifies and warms the middle, harmonizes the interior and relieves pain.
Toxicology: Acute toxicity: subcutaneous LD50 of the decoction in mice was 48 g/kg.
Pharmacological effects reported:
- Gastrointestinal: suppressed gastric acid and promoted gastric-ulcer healing in rats
- Immunostimulant: IgG rose (mean +1.59 mg/mL, p<0.05) after 20 doses in patients with GI disorders
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 475.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Yi Tang
as printed: Yi Tang (Maltosum) 1 cup [30g]
|
30g | 35.71% | — | |
|
Gui Zhi
as printed: Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi) 9g
|
9g | 10.71% | — | |
|
Bai Shao
as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba, chao (dry-fried) with liquor) 18g
|
18g | 21.43% | — | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 6g
|
6g | 7.14% | — | |
|
Sheng Jiang
as printed: Sheng Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens, qie (sliced)) 9g
|
9g | 10.71% | — | |
|
Da Zao
as printed: Da Zao (Fructus Jujubae, bo (opened)) 12 pieces [4 pieces]
|
4pieces | 100% | — | |
|
Huang Qi
as printed: Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) 4.5g [12g]
|
12g | 14.29% | tonifies qi to treat qi deficiency |
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net slightly warm (+0.50)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 21%, neutral 7%, warm 71%.
Taste
- pungent 16%
- sweet 63%
- sour 11%
- bitter 11%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 89%
- Lung 79%
- Stomach 54%
- Liver 21%
- Heart 18%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
1 herb without a dose in grams, so left out of every figure above: Da Zao.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
As Xiao Jian Zhong Tang: cook all but Yi Tang in 7 cups [1,400 mL] to 3 cups [600 mL], dissolve Yi Tang, take 1 cup [200 mL] warm three times daily; today use bracketed doses, cook twice, take in two doses.
Relationships
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Formula family
Each entry reads as the larger formula written out: “+” adds its other catalogue cores, then the herbs none of them hold. A catalogue formula counts as a core only when at least 80% of its herbs are present, no more than 1 is absent, and the absent herb is not its chief.
Formula Network
Formulas that share herbs with this one — the closer to the centre, the stronger the match. Click a node to explore.
Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
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