Si Ni Jia Ren Shen Tang
Star四逆加人参汤 (Frigid Extremities Decoction plus Ginseng)
Source: Shang Han Lun — Zhang Zhong-Jing (Eastern Han, c. 220)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Si Ni Jia Ren Shen Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction plus Ginseng), from the Shang Han Lun (Discussion of Cold-Induced Disorders) by Zhang Zhong-Jing — a variation of Si Ni Tang.
Actions: Tonifies yuan (source) qi; Recuperates depleted yang; Rescues from collapse.
Presentation: Shaoyin cold syndrome (all signs of Si Ni Tang) complicated by shortness of breath and rapid breathing from severe qi deficiency.
Composition: Si Ni Tang plus Ren Shen.
Fu Zi: The Shang Han Lun original used raw Sheng Fu Zi; modern practitioners always use prepared Zhi Fu Zi (Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata).
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 488.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Zhi Fu Zi
as printed: Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata (fu zi) 9 g
|
9g | 30% | — | |
|
Gan Jiang
as printed: Rhizoma Zingiberis (gan jiang) 9 g
|
9g | 30% | — | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle (zhi gan cao) 9 g
|
9g | 30% | — | |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng (ren shen) 3 g
|
3g | 10% | — |
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 warm (+1.30)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: neutral 30%, warm 10%, hot 60%.
Taste
- pungent 45%
- sweet 50%
- bitter 5%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 100%
- Heart 100%
- Lung 70%
- Stomach 60%
- Kidney 40%
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
Cook in 3 cups [600 mL] water to 1.2 cups [240 mL]; take warm in two doses daily; today use bracketed doses.
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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.
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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