Sub Categories Within The Tonify Category

Tonify the BloodTonify the QiTonify the Qi and BloodTonify the YinWarm and Tonify the Yang

Chen Pi

Tangerine Peel

Usages

• Regulates Qi, improves transportive function of the spleen, relieves diaphragm - epigastric/abdominal distention, fullness, bloating, belching, nausea, vomiting (promotes movement of qi in general; specifically directing it downward - good for different types of nausea/vomiting).
• Important herb for drying dampness and the transformation of phlegm - coughs with stifling sensation in the chest/diaphragm, and copious viscous sputum (qi-level herb).
• Prevents stagnation - prevents cloying of tonifying herbs.
• Ju Hong is the red part of the tangerine peel - it is more drying and aromatic.

Gan Cao

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Licorice Root

Usages

• Tonifies the spleen and augments qi - spleen deficiency w/shortness of breath, fatigue, loose stools (si jun zi tong).
• Qi and/or blood deficiency w/irregular pluse or palpitations (Zhi Gan Cao Tang).
• Moistens the lungs and stops cough - heat/cold in the lungs (Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang).
• Clears heat and toxic fire (raw) - carbuncles, sores, sore throat due to fire toxin (internally or topically).
• Alleviates pain and stops spasms - abdomen or legs (Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang).
• Often used to harmonize and/or moderate characteristics of other herbs.
• Antidote for toxic substances (internally and topically).

This formula has cautions, see details

Huo Xiang

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Patchouli

Usages

• Aromatically transforms turbid dampness - abdominal distention, nausea, vomiting.
• Harmonizes middle burner, stops vomiting due to dampness.
• Releases the exterior (wind-damp-cold, summer heat), stomach flu.

Ren Shen

Ginseng Root

Usages

• Strongly tonify yuan qi - extreme collapse of qi, shortness of breath, cold limbs, profuse sweating, weak pulse (often used alone for this condition after severe blood loss).
• Tonify lung qi - wheezing, shortness of breath, w/kidneys failing to grasp the qi.
• Strengthen the middle warmer - lethargy, no appetite, chronic diarrhea, prolapse of organs, distended chest/abdomen.
• Generates fluids, stops thirst - xiao ke, damaged fluid due to high dever and profuse sweating.
• Benefits heart qi, calms the spirit - palpitations, anxiety, insomnia, poor memory, restlessness due to qi and/or blood deficiency.

This formula has cautions, see details

Xiang Fu

Nut Grass Rhizome

Usages

• Spreads and regulates the Qi, soothes the liver - hypochondriac pain, epigastric distention, disharmony between the liver and the spleen.
• Regulates menses, alleviates pain (by resolving liver qi stagnation) - dysmenorrhea, irregular menses.