Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Star香砂六君子汤 (Six-Gentlemen Decoction with Aucklandia and Amomum)
Source: Gu Jin Ming Fang — Luo Mei (1675)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang (Six-Gentlemen Decoction with Aucklandia and Amomum), from the Gu Jin Ming Fang (Famous Classic and Contemporary Formulas) by Luo Mei.
Actions: Tonifies qi, strengthens the Spleen, and harmonizes the Stomach; Regulates qi and warms the middle jiao.
Presentation: Spleen and Stomach qi deficiencies accompanied by cold and damp stagnation in the middle jiao: loss of appetite, belching, fullness and/or pain of the abdomen and epigastrium, vomiting, and loose stools.
Composition: Liu Jun Zi Tang plus Mu Xiang and Sha Ren.
Cautions:
- Avoid raw and cold foods
Toxicology: Oral decoction at the equivalent of 80 g/kg raw herb twice daily for 7 days (about 434 times the adult human dose) caused no abnormal behavior in animals; some gained weight.
Pharmacological effects reported:
- Gastrointestinal: bidirectional regulation of intestinal peristalsis in rabbits
- Antiulcer: prevented and treated gastric ulcer in rats by promoting normal mucosa and reducing acid
- Immunostimulant: increased IgM, IgA and other immune measures
Note: the book also describes a formula of the same name from Yi Fang Ji Jie (p. 533). This record follows the Gu Jin Ming Fang version.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 531, 533.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) 3g
|
3g | 11.11% | with Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, Gan Cao tonifies Spleen and Stomach qi | |
|
Bai Zhu
as printed: Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) 6g
|
6g | 22.22% | tonifies Spleen and Stomach qi | |
|
Fu Ling
as printed: Fu Ling (Poria) 6g
|
6g | 22.22% | tonifies Spleen and Stomach qi | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 2.1g
|
2.1g | 7.78% | tonifies qi and harmonizes | |
|
Ban Xia
as printed: Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) 3g
|
3g | 11.11% | with Chen Pi breaks up qi and damp stagnation and corrects rebellious Stomach qi | |
|
Chen Pi
as printed: Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 2.4g
|
2.4g | 8.89% | with Ban Xia breaks up qi and damp stagnation | |
|
Mu Xiang
as printed: Mu Xiang (Radix Aucklandiae) 2.1g
|
2.1g | 7.78% | with Sha Ren warms the middle, moves qi, dissolves dampness, relieves fullness and pain | |
|
Sha Ren
as printed: Sha Ren (Fructus Amomi) 2.4g
|
2.4g | 8.89% | with Mu Xiang warms the middle and moves qi |
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 (+0.70)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: neutral 30%, warm 70%.
Taste
- pungent 28%
- sweet 36%
- bitter 25%
- bland 11%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 100%
- Lung 61%
- Stomach 58%
- Kidney 42%
- Heart 41%
- Large intestine 8%
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 6g Sheng Jiang.
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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
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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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