Sheng Ma Huang Qi Tang
StarSource: Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu — Zhang Xi-Chun (Republic of China, 1918-1934)
Last updated October 23, 2026
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Description
Sheng Ma Huang Qi Tang (Cimicifuga and Astragalus Decoction), from Yi Xue Zhong Zhong Can Xi Lu.
Actions: Tonify Qi and raise the sinking.
Indications: Sinking of the Qi mechanism. Symptoms include difficulty or dribbling urination. Sometimes nausea, vomiting or cough, or lying curled up on one side can help with the urination. Tongue is pale with thin, white coat, and pulse is deep and weak, especially the Middle Jiao.
Source: Liu C, Tseng A, with Yang S. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Modern Applications of Traditional Formulas. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2005, p. 84.
Composition
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: cool 31%, warm 69%.
Pairs warm and cool. 69% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 31% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Taste
- pungent 31%
- sweet 62%
- bitter 8%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 85%
- Lung 54%
- Liver 46%
- Heart 31%
- Large intestine 15%
- Stomach 15%
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
Decoction.
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Formula family
Full equations
- This formula = Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang + Chai Hu and Sheng Ma. Relative doses differ by up to about 4× from the catalogue's Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang.
Full equations
- Zhong Man Fen Xiao Tang = this formula + Ban Xia Hou Po Tang + Zuo Jin Wan + Bi Cheng Qie, Cao Dou Kou, Gan Jiang, Huang Bai, Ma Huang, Mu Xiang, Qing Pi, Ren Shen, Yi Zhi Ren, Ze Xie and Zhi Chuan Wu. Relative doses differ by up to about 5× from the catalogue's Sheng Ma Huang Qi Tang.
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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