Zhen Ren Yang Zang Tang
Star真人养脏汤 (True Man's Decoction for Nourishing the Organs)
Source: Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang — Imperial Medical Department (Song, 1107)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Zhen Ren Yang Zang Tang (True Man's Decoction for Nourishing the Organs), from the Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Imperial Grace Formulary of the Tai Ping Era) by Imperial Medical Department.
Actions: Binds the intestines and stops diarrhea and dysentery; Warms and tonifies the Spleen and Kidney.
Presentation: Chronic diarrhea or dysentery due to deficiency and cold of the Spleen and Kidney: uncontrollable bowel movement throughout the day and night, rectal tenesmus and prolapse, abdominal pain that is relieved by pressure and warmth, red or white dysentery, stools with pus or blood, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
Cautions:
- Astringent; contraindicated in dysentery where heat and toxins remain
- For chronic deficiency-cold cases only; inappropriate for acute (excess) diarrhea or dysentery
- Avoid alcohol, fish and raw, cold, oily or greasy foods while taking it
- Overdose or long-term use of Ying Su Ke may cause side effects; potentially toxic and addictive
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 781.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ying Su Ke
mi zhi (fried with honey); as printed: Ying Su Ke, mi zhi (fried with honey) (Pericarpium Papaveris) 108g [15g]
|
15g | 17.54% | Jun (Chief) | binds the Intestines to quickly relieve diarrhea or dysentery |
|
Rou Dou Kou
wei (roasted); as printed: Rou Dou Kou, wei (roasted) (Semen Myristicae) 15g [6g]
|
6g | 7.02% | Chen (Deputy) | binds the Intestines and warms the Spleen and Kidney |
|
He Zi
as printed: He Zi (Fructus Chebulae) 36g [12g]
|
12g | 14.04% | Chen (Deputy) | helps bind the Intestines and stop diarrhea |
|
Rou Gui
as printed: Rou Gui (Cortex Cinnamomi) 24g [3g]
|
3g | 3.51% | Zuo (Assistant) | warms the Spleen and Kidney to raise the yang |
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) 18g [9g]
|
9g | 10.53% | Zuo (Assistant) | warms the Spleen and tonifies qi |
|
Bai Zhu
bei (stone baked); as printed: Bai Zhu, bei (stone baked) (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) 18g [9g]
|
9g | 10.53% | Zuo (Assistant) | warms the Spleen and tonifies qi |
|
Dang Gui
as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 18g [6g]
|
6g | 7.02% | Zuo (Assistant) | nourishes yin and blood damaged by chronic dysentery |
|
Bai Shao
as printed: Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 48g [15g]
|
15g | 17.54% | Zuo (Assistant) | nourishes yin and blood; with Zhi Gan Cao relieves pain |
|
Mu Xiang
do not expose to heat; as printed: Mu Xiang, do not expose to heat (Radix Aucklandiae) 42g [4.5g]
|
4.5g | 5.26% | Shi (Envoy) | offsets stagnation from rich tonics; regulates qi and relieves pain |
|
Gan Cao
harmonizer; as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 24g [6g]
|
6g | 7.02% | Shi (Envoy) | harmonizes the formula; with Bai Shao relieves pain |
Dui Yao — Core Herb Pairs
The classical two-herb combinations at the heart of this formula, as recorded on the herbs' own pages — each pair has an action neither herb has alone.
Two strongly astringent herbs reinforce each other to bind the intestines and stop intractable chronic diarrhea and dysentery.
Only for chronic cases without residual pathogen; contraindicated in early-stage diarrhea or dysentery. Ying Su Ke is addictive and legally controlled in many jurisdictions.
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 (+0.30)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cool 18%, neutral 39%, warm 40%, 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 15%
- sweet 23%
- sour 33%
- bitter 29%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 68%
- Lung 49%
- Large intestine 44%
- Kidney 32%
- Stomach 30%
- Heart 28%
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
Source: coarse powder; cook 6g in 1.5 bowls of water down to 80%, take warm and strained before meals. Today may be decocted at the bracketed doses.
Relationships
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- This formula = Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang + Ying Su Ke, He Zi, Rou Dou Kou, Bai Zhu, Dang Gui, Ren Shen, Rou Gui and Mu Xiang
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.
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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