Many people experience physical discomfort, which is often not a single issue but rather the result of interactions among problems such as qi deficiency, spleen deficiency, and excessive dampness.
Today, I will specifically talk about the combination of the Four Gentlemen Decoction, all of which have been verified in clinical practice based on the specific symptoms of certain patients. I will explain it to you in detail.
Four Gentlemen Decoction, as a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula, consists of four herbs: ginseng, white atractylodes, poria, and honey-fried licorice. Among them, ginseng tonifies the middle and boosts qi, supporting the body's vital energy and strengthening its foundation; white atractylodes strengthens the spleen and dries dampness, enhancing the spleen and stomach's transformative functions; poria promotes urination and drains dampness, fortifying the spleen and calming the mind; licorice harmonizes the properties of the herbs and supplements the qi of the spleen and stomach. These four herbs are meticulously combined to collectively exert the effects of boosting qi and strengthening the spleen.
In clinical practice, it is combined differently for various conditions. Here are a few common combinations:
1、Four Gentlemen Decoction plus Tangerine Peel
Efficacy: Tonifying Qi and Strengthening Spleen, Promoting Qi Flow and Resolving Stagnation.
Indications: Spleen and stomach qi deficiency with qi stagnation syndrome, manifested as reduced food intake, loose stools, chest fullness and discomfort, or vomiting and diarrhea.
2、Four Gentlemen Decoction plus Tangerine Peel and Pinellia
Efficacy: Tonifying Qi and Strengthening Spleen, Drying Dampness and Resolving Phlegm.
Indications: Spleen and stomach qi deficiency with phlegm-dampness syndrome, manifested as reduced appetite, loose stools, chest and epigastric fullness, nausea, and vomiting.
3、Four Gentlemen Decoction plus Prepared Rehmannia Root, Chinese Angelica, White Peony Root, and Szechuan Lovage Rhizome
Efficacy: Tonifying Qi and Nourishing Blood
Indications: Symptoms such as pale or sallow complexion, palpitations, dizziness, fatigue and weakness, shortness of breath and reluctance to speak, reduced appetite, pale tongue with thin white coating, and weak or feeble pulse due to deficiency of both qi and blood.
It should be noted that although the combination of Four Gentlemen Decoction is flexible, it should not be used when experiencing cold and fever, sore throat, cough with yellow phlegm, abdominal distension, or severe belching to avoid worsening the condition.
If you feel unwell, do not take medicine blindly. You can first send me a picture of your tongue. It is safer to determine your constitution before taking medicine. Do not try to save trouble and delay the timing of conditioning.
