Middle-Jiao deficiency

The drugs for treating hypertension can quickly descend the Qi and Yang of Liver, but they may suppress the Liver-Qi. They may also slow down water metabolism and blood circulation. Therefore the syndrome can change into one of Liver-Qi stagnation with Kidney-Yin and Liver-Yin deficiency, or Liver-Qi stagnation with dampness accumulation in the Middle-Jiao. 

Da Zao is sweet and warm, and enters the Spleen meridian. It can nourish the blood and tonify the Qi. Sheng Jiang and Da Zao are often used together to strengthen the Middle-Jiao and are used in deficiency conditions. 

This combination indicates that the purging action is based on a warming and tonifying action. The alterations of herbs in this formula are particularly necessary in chronic and recurrent disorders of cold accumulation in the Middle-Jiao with Spleen-Yang deficiency. 

Bai Bian Dou not only has a very gentle function of tonifying the Spleen-Qi but is also able to transform dampness. Because it is an astringent herb it can stabilize the fluid in the intestines. This herb is particularly useful for treating chronic diarrhea due to Spleen-Qi deficiency and dampness accumulation in the Middle-Jiao. 

Spleen-Yang deficiency often occurs in people with chronic disorders of digestion. When the Spleen-Yang is too weak to warm the internal organs, meridians and muscles, it causes a cold sensation and cramping pain of the abdomen and diarrhea. When the Qi in the Middle-Jiao is too weak, distension of the abdomen and poor appetite appear. 

Pao Sheng Jiang is bitter and warm, and enters the Middle-Jiao and the Spleen meridian. It particularly warms the Middle-Jiao and stops bleeding caused by Spleen-Yang deficiency, such as in peptic ulcer, chronic colitis and dysentery. It can also be selected as deputy in formulas that warm the Middle-Jiao. 

Bai Zhu, as deputy, tonifies the Spleen-Qi and enhances the ability of the Ren Shen. It can also dry the dampness that has developed from the Yang deficiency in the Middle-Jiao and it enhances the function of Gan Jiang to spread the Yang. 

It is in the form of a pill that is made with honey, which assists Yang generation in the Middle-Jiao in a steady and sufficient way. It is particularly useful in chronic conditions of Spleen-Yang deficiency. 

This formula primarily treats Spleen-Qi and Yang deficiency. In fact, it treats a chronic syndrome of deficiency of the Middle-Jiao, where not only Qi and Yang, but also Yin and blood are deficient, due to long-term Yang and Qi deficiency. 

Shan Yao is neutral and sweet, and enters the Spleen meridian. It can either tonify the Spleen-Qi or stabilize the Yin. It is especially selected in the formula as deputy to enhance the ability of the chief to tonify the Qi and treat both Qi and Yin deficiency in the Middle-Jiao. Shan Yao also possesses a slightly astringent property, which is helpful in stopping diarrhea. Furthermore, this herb also enters the Lung and Kidney meridians, and is often applied to tonify and stabilize the Qi and Yin of these organs. The common symptoms are lack of appetite, fatigue, loose stool, shortness of breath, thirst and sweating. 

These two herbs are often used as assistants in formulas to regulate the Qi in the upper abdomen and reduce fullness and distending sensations that are caused by Spleen-Qi deficiency or by the heavy and cloying nature of tonifying herbs. They can therefore accelerate food and water transportation and transformation in the Middle-Jiao. 

Bai Zhu serves as deputy. On the one hand, it can tonify the Spleen-Qi and reinforce the action of the chief to treat Qi deficiency on the other hand, it can dry dampness in the Middle-Jiao, which often coexists when Qi is deficient. 

This formula tonifies the Spleen-Qi and transforms dampness from the Middle-Jiao. It treats the syndrome of Spleen-Qi deficiency with obvious accumulation of dampness in the Middle-Jiao, and at the same time treats deficiency of Lung-Qi due to Spleen-Qi deficiency. The symptoms are chronic diarrhea, weakness of limbs, weight loss, a low and soft voice and shortness of breath. A pale tongue with a moist white coating and a soft and slow pulse indicate the presence of dampness with Qi deficiency. 

Shu Di Huang is sweet and slightly warm, and enters the Kidney and Liver meridians. It is a strong herb for tonifying the essence and blood, and can therefore nourish the Yin vigorously. It is often used in conditions of Liver-Yin deficiency where blood deficiency arises at the same time. As this herb is rich and cloying in nature and may bring an extra burden to the Stomach, herbs that promote Qi movement in the Middle-Jiao are required. 

Bai Zhu is sweet and warm, and enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians. It can tonify the Spleen-Qi. It is also bitter in taste and can dry dampness in the Middle-Jiao. It can treat poor appetite, fullness in the stomach, distension in the abdomen, diarrhea and heaviness of the limbs due to Qi deficiency with dampness accumulation in the Middle-Jiao. 

Fu Ling is sweet, bland and neutral, and enters the Heart, Spleen, Stomach, Lung and Kidney meridians. It is able to drain out dampness by promoting urination. It can also tonify the Spleen and calm the mind. Because it is sweet and bland, it drains out dampness without the side effect of injuring the Yin and Yang of the body. In the condition of Spleen-Yang deficiency, it is often used as an assistant for treating accumulation of water and dampness in the Middle-Jiao. The manifestations are heaviness of the body, distension of the abdomen and difficult urination. 

In the condition of Spleen-Yang deficiency, Chen Pi can be used as an assistant to regulate the Qi that is disturbed in the Middle-Jiao and improve the transportation and transformation of food and drinks in the body. 

This formula is able to warm the Middle-Jiao, strengthen the Spleen-Yang and treat internal cold due to Spleen-Yang deficiency. 

This formula primarily treats Spleen-Qi and Yang deficiency. In fact, it treats a chronic syndrome of deficiency of the Middle-Jiao, where the Yin and blood are also deficient due to long-term Yang and Qi deficiency. The Yang and Qi deficiency are manifested as intermittent, spasmodic abdominal pain that responds favorably to local application of warmth and pressure, reduced appetite, and cold and sore extremities. The Qi and blood deficiency are manifested as a lusterless complexion, palpitations, a pale tongue and a thready pulse. The Yin deficiency shows in low-grade fever, dry mouth, dry throat and irritability. 

Bai Zhu and Fu Ling are able to tonify the Spleen-Qi and dry dampness. They are particularly selected in the formula when dampness accumulates in the Middle-Jiao caused by Spleen-Qi deficiency. 

Bai Bian Dou is bland and neutral. It can gently tonify the Spleen-Qi and is used in mild and chronic conditions of Spleen-Qi deficiency. It is also an astringent herb, and can stabilize the Qi and Yin in the Middle-Jiao. It is often selected to treat chronic diarrhea when the Qi and Yin are both weakened in the Middle-Jiao. 

When damp-heat in the Upper-Jiao is not eliminated in time, it can invade the Middle-Jiao, obstruct the Qi and disturb the functions of the Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Liver and Gall Bladder. It causes digestive disorders, skin diseases, tiredness, and swelling, pain and heaviness of the muscles and joints. The lingering dampness holds the heat, which can remain in the body for a very long period of time. When the function of the Spleen is injured by damp-heat, the excess condition of damp-heat can be complicated by Spleen deficiency. 

Fu Ling is neutral and bland. It can gently tonify the Spleen-Qi and eliminate dampness in the Middle-Jiao. Its function is gentle and it can be used for a long period of time. It is suitable for use in chronic food accumulation and mild Spleen-Qi deficiency. 

This formula can regulate the Qi in the Middle-Jiao, direct rebellious Qi downward, disperse clumping and eliminate distension. It treats a complicated condition where cold and heat and excess and deficiency coexist in the Middle-Jiao. The manifesta-... 

When the pungent-warm herbs and the bitter-cold herbs are used together, the bonding of cold and warm, as well as excess and deficiency, is dissolved and the Qi movement is harmonized in the Middle-Jiao. 

Pao Jiang is bitter and warm, enters the Spleen and Liver meridians and also enters the blood level. Like Ai Ye, it can warm the interior, stop bleeding and alleviate pain, but its function focuses on the Middle-Jiao. It is especially effective for treating bleeding due to Spleen-Yang and Qi deficiency failing to control the blood. Such bleeding may be located in the stomach, intestines and uterus. 

This formula is used to treat a complex condition in which cold and heat coexist, alongside both excess and deficiency in the Middle-Jiao. 

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