Yi Tang

Some rare, expensive herbs, such as Ren Shen (Ginseng radix), should be prepared separately. Herbs that are traditionally used in powder form should be added to the prepared decoction without cooking an example is San Qi (Notoginseng radix) powder. Gels and syrups such as E Jiao (Asini corii colla), Yi Tang (Maltose), honey and egg yolks, should be dissolved in the prepared decoction without cooking. 

Yi Tang (Maltose) 30 g Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi cassiae ramulus) 9 g Bai Shao Yao (Paeoniae radix lactiflora) 9 g Zhi Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae radix preparata) 6 g Sheng Jiang (Zingiberis rhizoma recens) 10 g Da Zao (Jujubae fructus) 4 pieces... 

A large amount of Yi Tang is applied as the chief ingredient. Since it is sweet and neutral and enters the Spleen meridian, it can tonify the Spleen directly without harming the Yin or the Yang. Since its nourishing nature makes it... 

When Yi Tang and pungent-sweet-hot Gui Zhi, one of the deputy herbs, are used together, they can tonify the Spleen-Yang and stimulate its function. As the pungent and hot nature of Gui Zhi is modified by the large amount of Yi Tang, this herb will not injure the Yin and blood. 

When Yi Tang and sour-bitter-cold Bai Shao Yao, another deputy herb, are used together, they can generate the Yin of the body and in this way treat the blood and Yin deficiency. As the cold nature of Bai Shao Yao is minimized by the large amount of Yi Tang, Bai Shao Yao will not injure the Yang and Qi. 

Zhi Gan Cao and Yi Tang are able to tonify the Spleen-Qi. Compared with tonifying herbs such as Huang Qi and Ren Shen, their tonifying strength is mild. However, they have special usage in tonifying the Spleen. 

Zhi Gan Cao and Yi Tang are sweet and neutral in nature, and enter the Spleen meridian. According to the concept that the combination of sweetness, warmth and pungency develops the ability to tonify the Yang, they are often used in combination with pungent-warm herbs in order to tonify the Yang in a gentle and steady way. 

The moderate tonifying action is an important characteristic of these two sweet substances. As sweetness may slow speed, release tension and alleviate the two or more conflicted aspects in a pathological development, Gan Cao and Yi Tang can reduce the cramping pain in the stomach and abdomen and relieve diarrhea and vomiting. 

Yi Tang and Gan Cao are sweet and neutral. They enter the Spleen meridian. They are often used as chief in formulas to treat general weakness of Yin, Yang, Qi and blood of all the internal organs. 

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