Ren Shen Yang Ying Tang
Star人参养荣汤 (Ginseng Decoction to Nourish the Nutritive Qi)
Source: Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang — Imperial Medical Department (Song, 1078)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Ren Shen Yang Ying Tang (Ginseng Decoction to Nourish the Nutritive Qi), from the Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Imperial Grace Formulary of the Tai Ping Era) by Imperial Medical Department.
Actions: Tonifies both qi and blood; Nourishes the Heart and calms the shen (spirit).
Presentation: Exhaustion of the body due to consumptive diseases: lassitude, weakness, a sallow complexion, shortness of breath, dyspnea upon mild exertion, dizziness, palpitations, tendency to being easily frightened, insomnia, and a dry throat and lips.
Herb–drug interactions:
- Cyclophosphamide/5-FU leukopenia (mice): formula at 1 g/kg/day vs rhG-CSF; formula better for 5-FU, rhG-CSF better for cyclophosphamide
- Cyclophosphamide/prednisolone immunosuppression: with Shi Quan Da Bu Tang prolonged survival of mice with candida infection
- Scopolamine: improved scopolamine-induced passive avoidance impairment in mice via cholinergic enhancement
Pharmacological effects reported:
- Immunostimulant: raised NK cell counts (up to 11%) and NK activity in healthy volunteers (15g/day for a week); augmented GM-CSF production
- Antihyperlipidemic: lowered plasma triglycerides
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 615.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) 30g [6g]
|
6g | 6.98% | tonifies qi | |
|
Huang Qi
as printed: Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) 30g [12g]
|
12g | 13.95% | tonifies qi | |
|
Bai Zhu
processing: wei (roasted); as printed: Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) 30g [6g]
|
6g | 6.98% | tonifies qi | |
|
Shu Di Huang
processing: zhi (prepared); as printed: Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata) 22.5g [9g]
|
9g | 10.47% | tonifies blood | |
|
Dang Gui
as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 30g [9g]
|
9g | 10.47% | tonifies blood | |
|
Bai Shao
as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 90g [18g]
|
18g | 20.93% | tonifies blood | |
|
Wu Wei Zi
as printed: Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) 22.5g [4g]
|
4g | 4.65% | nourishes the Heart, calms shen | |
|
Fu Ling
as printed: Fu Ling (Poria) 22.5g [4g]
|
4g | 4.65% | nourishes the Heart, calms shen | |
|
Yuan Zhi
processing: chao (dry-fried); as printed: Yuan Zhi (Radix Polygalae) 15g [6g]
|
6g | 6.98% | nourishes the Heart, calms shen | |
|
Chen Pi
as printed: Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 30g [6g]
|
6g | 6.98% | regulates qi, counters stagnating tonics | |
|
Rou Gui
inner bark (gui xin); as printed: Gui Xin (Cortex Rasus Cinnamomi) 30g [3g]
|
3g | 3.49% | tonifies yang, aids regeneration of qi and blood | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 30g [3g]
|
3g | 3.49% | tonifies qi, harmonizes |
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 (+0.53)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 21%, neutral 8%, warm 67%, hot 4%.
Small but decisive: Rou Gui 3g (hot, 4% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 14%
- sweet 47%
- sour 13%
- bitter 24%
- bland 2%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 78%
- Lung 48%
- Liver 45%
- Heart 41%
- Kidney 37%
- Stomach 11%
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
Powder; decoct 12g of powder with 3 slices Sheng Jiang and 2 Da Zao in 1.5 bowls water down to 70%; take warm. Bracketed doses may be decocted today.
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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