Liu Jun Zi Tang
Star六君子汤 (Six-Gentlemen Decoction)
Source: Fu Ren Liang Fang — Chen Zi-Ming (Song, 1237)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six-Gentlemen Decoction), from the Fu Ren Liang Fang (Fine Formulas for Women) by Chen Zi-Ming.
Actions: Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach; Regulates qi and stops vomiting.
Presentation: Spleen and Stomach qi deficiencies accompanied by dampness and phlegm: lack of appetite, loose stools, nausea, vomiting, a feeling of oppression and distention in the chest and epigastrium, coughing, and profuse, white, watery phlegm.
Composition: Si Jun Zi Tang plus Ban Xia and Chen Pi.
Cautions:
- Slightly warm; long-term use may cause dry mouth and tongue, thirst or irritability
- Use with caution or avoid in high fever, yin-deficient heat, excess heat, qi stagnation, fluid deficiency, irritability, thirst or constipation
- Avoid cold/raw, pungent/spicy and oily/greasy foods while taking it
Toxicology: One reported case of pneumonitis (pulmonary hypersensitivity) in a 79-year-old woman with dry cough and exertional dyspnea; described as the only such case reported at publication.
Herb–drug interactions:
- Chemotherapy: modified formula relieved GI side effects in 74 patients (98.6% effective); with Huang Qi and Yi Yi Ren in 110 patients relieved nausea/vomiting and raised WBC
- Levofloxacin: no significant pharmacokinetic change in 8 healthy subjects
- Ofloxacin: no significant effect on bioavailability in 7 volunteers
Pharmacological effects reported:
- Gastrointestinal: bidirectional regulation of peristalsis in rabbits; promoted gastric adaptive relaxation and relieved functional dyspepsia; prokinetic effect on gastric emptying; raised plasma somatostatin and gastrin at 60-240 min versus placebo
- Gastroprotective: dose-dependently inhibited ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage in rats above 500 mg/kg, partly via nitric oxide
- Antineoplastic: modified preparation inhibited cancer growth in mice via increased macrophages and NK cells
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 527.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) 6g [9g]
|
9g | 16.67% | with Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, Zhi Gan Cao (Si Jun Zi Tang) tonifies Spleen and Stomach qi | |
|
Bai Zhu
as printed: Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) 6g [9g]
|
9g | 16.67% | part of Si Jun Zi Tang; tonifies Spleen qi | |
|
Fu Ling
as printed: Fu Ling (Poria) 6g [9g]
|
9g | 16.67% | part of Si Jun Zi Tang; tonifies Spleen qi | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 3g [6g]
|
6g | 11.11% | part of Si Jun Zi Tang; tonifies Spleen qi | |
|
Chen Pi
as printed: Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 3g [9g]
|
9g | 16.67% | dries dampness and regulates Lung qi to reduce profuse phlegm | |
|
Ban Xia
as printed: Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) 3g [12g]
|
12g | 22.22% | breaks up qi stagnation to relieve chest stuffiness; redirects rebellious Stomach qi to stop nausea and vomiting |
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 (+0.72)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: neutral 28%, warm 72%.
Taste
- pungent 31%
- sweet 36%
- bitter 25%
- bland 8%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 100%
- Lung 83%
- Stomach 50%
- Heart 44%
- Kidney 33%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
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
Decoct with small amounts of Sheng Jiang (3 slices) and Da Zao (2 pieces); today use bracketed 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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