GINSENG & LONGAN
Gui Pi Tang
‘Restore the Spleen Decoction’
Source: Formulas to Aid the Living (Ji Sheng Fang, 1253)
Keywords
anxiety, insomnia, bleeding disorders, anaemia, postpartum convalescence
Ingredients
Panax ginseng (Ren Shen, ginseng)
Poria cocos (Fu Ling, hoelen)
Zizyphus spinoza (Suan Zao Ren,
zizyphus)
Polygala sibiricum (Yuan Zhi, polygala)
Angelica sinensis (Dang Gui)
Saussurea lappa (Mu
Xiang, sausurrea)
Atractylodes macrocephala (Bai Zhu, atractylodes)
Euphoriae longana (Long Yan Rou,
longan)
Astragalus membranaceous (Huang Qi, astragalus)
Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Gan Cao, liquorice)
Major therapeutic action
Haematopoietic, aids digestion, helps the Heart (treats palpitations), calms the mind, and stops bruising and
unusual bleeding.
Enhances digestive functions, especially absorption of nutrients; energy and blood tonic, sedative for anxiety and mild neurosis; a nervine.
Indications
* This is the main formula for complaints involving both blood issues (such as unusual bleeding, anaemia,
lethargy) and heart effects.
* Menstrual disorders: menorrhagia, intermenstrual bleeding, abnormal uterine bleeding, postpartum weakness, dizziness and anaemia.
* Bleeding disorders - easy bruising, purpura, and epistaxis, clotting disorders.
* Anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, palpitations, breathlessness, postural dizziness.
* With the appropriate key symptoms, this formula can be used to treat biomedical conditions such as
thrombocytopenic or allergic purpura, Henoch Sch"oenlein purpura, supraventricular tachycardia, anaemia,
neurosis, hypoproteinaemia, chronic gastroenteritis, chronic fatigue syndrome and postpartum insomnia.
Key symptoms for use
* generalised pallor (face, nails, conjunctiva)
* fatigue, weakness; tired during the day but unable to sleep at night
* easy bruising, heavy periods or other bleeding disorders
* pale, probably swollen tongue (with tooth marks)
* insomnia and anxiety in a pale, fatigued and emotionally fragile patient
* patients tend to be reproductive women <40 yrs
* With severe insomnia, add Mu Li & Long Gu.
* With abdominal bloating, add Zhi Shi & Jie Geng.
* With depression, add Ye Jiao Teng & He Huan Pi.
* With nausea, add Ban Xia & Chen Pi.
* For poor memory, add chang pu & Yuan Zhi.
* With flushing or sweats, add Shan Zhi Zi & Mu Dan Pi.
* With severe bleeding, add Tian Qi.
* For severe anaemia and lethargy, add Shu Di & He Shou Wu
The typical dose is three grams twice daily, before meals. In severe cases or the early stages of treatment (the first two weeks), a 50-100% increase in dose may be used, then reduced as the treatment takes effect.
Cautions and contraindications
Avoid concurrent use with stimulants like coffee, chilli and cola drinks.
Contraindicated during the acute phase of colds and flu.
Differentiation
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan: Both formulas have very similar indications, however the pathology and the type
of patient are quite different. The patient suitable for Gui Pi Tang will tend to be pale, cold, sluggish and
possibly mildly oedematous. The image of Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan is a patient who is hot, dry, red and
hyperactive.
Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang: Used for palpitations, insomnia, agitation and mental emotional disorders with feelings of heat, red face, dry mouth, irritability, a red tongue with a sticky yellow coat, and a
rapid pulse.