Zhong He Tang
Star中和汤 (Middle-Heartening Decoction)
Source: Zheng Zhi Zhun Sheng — Wang Ken-Tang (Ming, 1602)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Zhong He Tang (Middle-Heartening Decoction), from the Zheng Zhi Zhun Sheng (Standards of Patterns and Treatments) by Wang Ken-Tang — a variation of Yang He Tang.
Actions: Tonifies qi; Drains the interior; Harmonizes the blood; Reduces abscesses and sores.
Presentation: Half-yin half-yang abscesses and sores that seem to perforate but do not: diffuse swelling, pale red color, mild pain, no local warmth, with qi deficiency signs.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 1373.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ren Shen
as printed: Ren Shen (Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng) 6g
|
6g | 11.76% | — | |
|
Chen Pi
as printed: Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) 6g
|
6g | 11.76% | — | |
|
Huang Qi
as printed: Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 8.82% | — | |
|
Bai Zhu
as printed: Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 8.82% | — | |
|
Dang Gui
as printed: Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 8.82% | — | |
|
Bai Zhi
as printed: Bai Zhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 8.82% | — | |
|
Fu Ling
as printed: Fu Ling (Poria) 3g
|
3g | 5.88% | — | |
|
Chuan Xiong
as printed: Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) 3g
|
3g | 5.88% | — | |
|
Zao Jiao Ci
as printed: Zao Jiao Ci (Spina Gleditsiae, chao (dry-fried)) 3g
|
3g | 5.88% | — | |
|
Ru Xiang
as printed: Ru Xiang (Gummi Olibanum) 3g
|
3g | 5.88% | — | |
|
Mo Yao
as printed: Mo Yao (Myrrha) 3g
|
3g | 5.88% | — | |
|
Jin Yin Hua
as printed: Jin Yin Hua (Flos Lonicerae Japonicae) 3g
|
3g | 5.88% | — | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) 3g
|
3g | 5.88% | — |
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 (+0.65)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 6%, neutral 18%, warm 77%.
Small but decisive: Jin Yin Hua 3g (cold, 6% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 37%
- sweet 38%
- bitter 22%
- bland 3%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Spleen 74%
- Lung 59%
- Heart 50%
- Stomach 35%
- Liver 32%
- Kidney 18%
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 in equal portions of water and grain-based liquor.
Relationships
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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
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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