Yi Qi Cong Ming Tang
Star益气聪明汤 (Augment the Qi and Increase Acuity Decoction)
Source: Dong Heng Shi Xiao Fang — Li Gao (Li Dong-Heng) (1202)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Yi Qi Cong Ming Tang (Augment the Qi and Increase Acuity Decoction), from the Dong Heng Shi Xiao Fang (Tested and Effective Formulas by Dong Heng) by Li Gao (Li Dong-Heng).
Actions: Tonifies qi and blood; Lifts yang qi and benefits the eyes and ears.
Presentation: Compromised visual and auditory functions: diminished acuity of eyes and ears, blurred vision, dizziness, light-headedness, decreased appetite, spontaneous sweating, and chronic diarrhea.
Cautions:
- For deficiency/deterioration only; not for eye and ear disorders from excess such as Liver fire rising or Liver/Gallbladder damp-heat
- Avoid smoke and fire exposure and sour, cold, raw, oily or greasy foods while taking it
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 551.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) 15g
|
15g | 20.41% | tonifies qi and strengthens the Spleen and Stomach | |
|
Huang Qi
as printed: Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) 15g
|
15g | 20.41% | tonifies qi and strengthens the Spleen and Stomach | |
|
Ge Gen
as printed: Ge Gen (Radix Puerariae Lobatae) 9g
|
9g | 12.24% | ascending action; lifts yang qi to the head | |
|
Sheng Ma
as printed: Sheng Ma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae) 9g
|
9g | 12.24% | ascending action; lifts yang qi to the head | |
|
Man Jing Zi
as printed: Man Jing Zi (Fructus Viticis) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 6.12% | ascending action; lifts yang qi to the head | |
|
Bai Shao
as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 3g
|
3g | 4.08% | nourishes yin and harmonizes the blood | |
|
Huang Bai
printed processing: zhi (fried with liquor) and chao (dry-fried) till yellow; as printed: Huang Bo (Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis) 3g
|
3g | 4.08% | controls deficiency fire | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 15g
|
15g | 20.41% | harmonizes the middle jiao and the other herbs |
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 neutral (-0.02)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 4%, cool 35%, neutral 20%, warm 41%.
Pairs warm and cool. 41% of the weighed grams are warm or hot and 39% cool or cold — the net is their average, not the whole story.
Small but decisive: Huang Bai 3g (cold, 4% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 15%
- sweet 63%
- sour 2%
- bitter 19%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 90%
- Lung 74%
- Stomach 51%
- Heart 41%
- Kidney 25%
- Large intestine 16%
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
Grind into a coarse powder; cook 9g in two bowls of water down to one bowl; take strained and warm.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Ge Gen, Huang Bai, Huang Qi, Man Jing Zi, Ren Shen and Sheng Ma
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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