Nei Bu Huang Qi Tang
Star内补黄芪汤 (Tonify the Interior Decoction with Astragalus)
Source: Wai Ke Fa Hui — Xue Yi (Ming, 1528)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Nei Bu Huang Qi Tang (Tonify the Interior Decoction with Astragalus), from the Wai Ke Fa Hui (External Medicine Elaboration) by Xue Yi.
Actions: Tonifies qi and blood; Nourishes yin; Promotes generation of flesh.
Presentation: Late-stage abscesses and sores with qi and blood deficiencies: localized pain, lethargy, reluctance to speak, disturbed sleep, spontaneous perspiration, intermittent or persistent fever, dry mouth, pale tongue with thin coating, fine weak pulse.
Cautions:
- For late-stage (perforated, non-healing) abscesses with qi and blood deficiency; contraindicated for early-stage abscesses with heat toxins.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1369.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) 3g [10g]
|
10g | 12.82% | tonifies qi | |
|
Fu Ling
as printed: Fu Ling (Poria) 3g [10g]
|
10g | 12.82% | tonifies qi | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 0.9g [3g]
|
3g | 3.85% | tonifies qi | |
|
Dang Gui
as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis, ban (blended) with liquor) 1.5g [5g]
|
5g | 6.41% | tonifies blood | |
|
Bai Shao
as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba, chao (dry-fried)) 1.5g [5g]
|
5g | 6.41% | tonifies blood | |
|
Shu Di Huang
as printed: Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata, ban (blended) with liquor) 3g [10g]
|
10g | 12.82% | tonifies blood | |
|
Chuan Xiong
as printed: Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) 1.5g [5g]
|
5g | 6.41% | tonifies blood | |
|
Huang Qi
as printed: Huang Qi (Radix Astragali, chao (dry-fried) with salted water) 3g [10g]
|
10g | 12.82% | tonifies qi, warms yang, regenerates flesh | |
|
Rou Gui
as printed: Rou Gui (Cortex Cinnamomi) 1.5g [5g]
|
5g | 6.41% | tonifies qi, warms yang, regenerates flesh | |
|
Mai Men Dong
as printed: Mai Dong (Radix Ophiopogonis) 3g [10g]
|
10g | 12.82% | nourishes yin and body fluids | |
|
Yuan Zhi
as printed: Yuan Zhi (Radix Polygalae, chao (dry-fried)) 1.5g [5g]
|
5g | 6.41% | stabilizes the shen |
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 (+0.38)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 13%, cool 6%, neutral 17%, warm 58%, hot 6%.
Small but decisive: Rou Gui 5g (hot, 6% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 16%
- sweet 55%
- sour 3%
- bitter 19%
- bland 6%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 74%
- Lung 62%
- Heart 62%
- Kidney 51%
- Liver 39%
- Stomach 17%
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 3 slices Sheng Jiang and 1 Da Zao in 2 large bowls of water until reduced to 80%; take between meals. Bracketed doses may be used today.
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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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