Si Jun Zi Tang, Four Gentlemen Decoction, is Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling and Zhi Gan Cao. The catalogue classes it among the formulas that tonify Qi, and records it as tonifying Qi and strengthening Spleen and Stomach. It is the base on which many later Qi formulas are built.

Herb

Amount

3 g

6 g

6 g

3 g

Actions and indications

Tonifies Qi

Qi deficiency of the Spleen and Stomach, and also Qi deficiency of the Heart, of the Lungs, or of the Lungs and Spleen together
Tiring easily, lethargy and low energy, with weak, tired or heavy limbs and thin muscles
A soft, low voice and reluctance to talk; shortness of breath
Complexion pale or sallow, with pale lips
Gu syndrome

Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach

Little appetite and eating little
Fullness and distention of the epigastrium and abdomen after meals, sometimes with epigastric or abdominal pain
Loose or watery stools containing undigested food, or diarrhea; perhaps a rumbling abdomen
Possibly nausea and vomiting, acid regurgitation, bleeding or bedwetting
A weak abdomen; a stiff tongue and rolled lips
Tongue pale and swollen, perhaps with tooth marks, and a thin white coat; pulse weak and thin, or even, forceless and deficient

Modern uses

Chronic gastritis
Gastric and duodenal ulcer
Gastralgia
Gastric neurosis
Gastroptosis
Acid reflux
Indigestion
Abdominal fullness and distention
Abdominal pain
Anorexia
Irritable bowel syndrome
Leaky gut syndrome
Colitis
Ulcerative colitis
Diarrhea
Chronic dysentery
Chronic bacillary dysentery
Giardiasis
Intestinal tuberculosis
Peritoneal tuberculosis
Chronic hepatitis
Cholecystitis
Cholelithiasis
Chronic pancreatitis
Stomach cancer
Recovery after gastric surgery
Adjunct to chemotherapy or radiotherapy in cancer
Support during breast cancer chemotherapy
Diabetes mellitus
Hyperglycemia
Hypothyroidism
Obesity
Malnutrition
Anemia
Leukopenia
Neurasthenia
Neurosis
Periodic paralysis
Monoplegia
Stroke
Headache
Foot pain
Periarthritis of the shoulder
Chronic fatigue immune deficiency
Fatigue
Weakness
Yawning
Spontaneous perspiration
Hypotension
Edema
Cardiac arrhythmia
Palpitations
Coronary artery disease
Congestive heart failure
Arteriosclerosis
Thromboangiitis obliterans
COPD
Emphysema
Chronic bronchitis
Asthma
Cough
Dyspnea
Common cold
Chronic tonsillitis
Chronic laryngitis
Pharyngitis
Recurrent nosebleeds
Fever of unknown origin
After-effects of infection, above all in children
AIDS/HIV
Candidiasis
Chronic nephritis
Uterine fibroids
Fibrocystic breast disease
Premenstrual syndrome
Menstrual bleeding
Menorrhagia
Vaginal discharge
Puerperal fever
Childhood eczema
Acne
Blepharitis
Hordeolum
Sjogren's syndrome
Gu syndrome

Symptoms

Abdominal distention

Abdominal pain

Acid regurgitation

Bleeding

Borborygmus

Diarrhea

Enuresis

Epigastric distention

Epigastric pain

Fatigue

Heavy limbs

Loose stools

Muscle atrophy

Nausea

Pale lips

Pallor

Poor appetite

Reluctance to speak

Rolled lips

Sallow complexion

Shortness of breath

Stiff tongue

Undigested food in stools

Vomiting

Weak limbs

Weak voice

Modifications

Weight loss with poor appetite, indigestion and a distended abdomen: + xiang fu, + hou po

Morning sickness: + sha ren, + chen pi, + hou po

Edema in pregnancy (combined with Wu Pi Yin)

Periodic paralysis: + huang qi, + san leng, + mai men dong, + bai zhi, + fang feng

Uterine fibroids: + e zhu, + huai niu xi

Damp-Heat urinary infection on a background of Spleen and Kidney Yang deficiency: + tu si zi, + he shou wu, + che qian zi, + huang bai, + tu fu ling

Palpitations and insomnia: + suan zao ren

Severe weakness of the Spleen and Stomach: + huang qi, + shan yao

Tidal fever from Spleen deficiency: + chai hu, + bai shao

Insomnia from fear and fright: + sheng jiang, + suan zao ren

Constipation from Qi deficiency: + dang gui, + huo ma ren

Diarrhea from deficiency Cold of the Middle Jiao (combined with Li Zhong Tang)

Show all 93 modifications

Diarrhea after childbirth: + wu mei, + chen pi
Diarrhea or loose stools that never let up: + he zi
Hemorrhoids: + huang qi, + bai bian dou
Low fever from long illness and deficiency: + gui zhi, + zhi fu zi
Edema from Spleen deficiency: + yi yi ren, + gui zhi
Qi and Blood deficiency (combined with Si Wu Tang): + shu di huang, + dang gui, + bai shao, + chuan xiong
Childhood malnutrition from Yin deficiency: + gou qi zi, + nu zhen zi
Childhood malnutrition from food stagnation: + mai ya
Qi stagnation on top of weak Spleen and Stomach Qi: + chen pi
Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency with Phlegm-Damp: cough with plenty of thin white sputum: + chen pi, + zhi ban xia, + sheng jiang, + da zao
Spleen deficiency with retained Phlegm: + chen pi, + zhi ban xia, + mu xiang, + sha ren, + sheng jiang
Spleen Qi deficiency with heavy Damp: + huang qi, + bai bian dou
Gu syndrome: + zi su ye, + bo he, + bai zhi
Hypothyroidism where Yang of the Spleen and Kidneys is deficient: + sha ren, + yin yang huo, + tu si zi
Damp-Heat eczema in children: + ku shen
Used together with Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan; placement unclear
Blepharitis from Spleen and Kidney Yang deficiency (combined with You Gui Wan)
Eczema in children from stagnant Damp-Heat: + bai xian pi
Childhood eczema with itching: + di fu zi
Acne from Phlegm-Damp (combined with Er Chen Tang)
Acne from Phlegm-Damp with hard nodules that will not disperse (combined with Er Chen Tang): + xia ku cao, + mu li, + zhe bei mu
Chronic gastritis: + zhi ke, + ji nei jin, + huang qi
Peptic ulcer: + huang qi, + san leng, + hai piao xiao
Peptic ulcer with stagnant Liver Qi and weak Spleen Qi: + huang qi, + san leng, + hai piao xiao, + chai hu, + bai shao, + zhi zi
Peptic ulcer with disharmony of Liver and Stomach (combined with Si Ni San): + huang qi, + san leng, + hai piao xiao
Spleen deficiency with a peptic ulcer: + fu xiao mai, + bai ji
Ulcerative colitis: + huang qi, + dang gui, + yan hu suo
Irritable bowel syndrome: + pao jiang, + qin pi, + mu xiang
Abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome: + pao jiang, + qin pi, + mu xiang, + yan hu suo, + bai shao
Irritable bowel syndrome where abdominal pain brings an urgent need to pass stool: + pao jiang, + qin pi, + mu xiang, + chen pi, + chao fang feng
Irritable bowel syndrome with a sense of unfinished emptying after stool: + pao jiang, + qin pi, + mu xiang, + da fu pi, + zhi ke
Mucus in the stool with irritable bowel syndrome: + pao jiang, + qin pi, + mu xiang, + bai tou weng, + hong teng
Irritable bowel syndrome with much white mucus: + pao jiang, + qin pi, + mu xiang, + cang zhu
Irritable bowel syndrome with blood in the stool: + pao jiang, + qin pi, + mu xiang, + di yu, + jin yin hua tan
Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea at dawn: + pao jiang, + qin pi, + mu xiang, + bu gu zhi, + rou dou kou
Irritable bowel syndrome with frequent, loose bowel movements: + pao jiang, + qin pi, + mu xiang, + wu bei zi, + he zi
Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and Yang deficiency: + pao jiang, + qin pi, + mu xiang, + rou cong rong
Blood stagnation in irritable bowel syndrome: + pao jiang, + qin pi, + mu xiang
Premenstrual syndrome: + huang qi, + zhi fu zi
Menstrual bleeding (combined with Shi Xiao San): + huang qi, + zhi fu zi, + dang shen, − ren shen
Chronic tonsillitis: + huang qi, + zhi fu zi
Chronic hepatitis: + dang shen, + chai hu
Qi deficiency in chronic hepatitis: + dang shen, + chai hu, + huang qi
Chronic hepatitis with poor appetite and indigestion: + dang shen, + chai hu, + ji nei jin, + mai ya tan
Chronic hepatitis where stools are loose: + dang shen, + chai hu, + lian zi, + shan yao, + ze xie
Chronic hepatitis with pain below the ribs: + dang shen, + chai hu, + yan hu suo, + yu jin
Chronic hepatitis with an enlarged liver: + dang shen, + chai hu, + san leng, + e zhu, + bie jia
Blood stagnation in chronic hepatitis: + dang shen, + chai hu, + hong hua, + yi mu cao
Qi stagnation in chronic hepatitis: + dang shen, + chai hu, + fo shou, + xiang yuan
Chronic hepatitis with jaundice: + dang shen, + chai hu, + yin chen hao
Yin deficiency in chronic hepatitis: + dang shen, + chai hu, + shi hu, + yu zhu, + xuan shen
Diabetes: + ge gen, + mu xiang, + huo xiang, + ji nei jin, + sha ren, + huang qi, + cang zhu, + yi yi ren
Stomach cancer with deficient Middle Jiao Qi: + huang qi, + ju hong, + sha ren
Stomach disorder with ongoing salivation after meals, then vomiting: + ding xiang, + huo xiang
Chronic fatigue syndrome, or chronic sore throat including chronic laryngitis, pharyngitis and tonsillitis: + huang qi, + shan yao, + huang jing, + shi hu, + yu zhu, + bai he, + da zao
Diarrhea from stagnant Liver Qi invading a Qi-deficient Spleen: + chao bai shao, + chai hu
Cholecystitis and gallstones (combined with Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang): + ban zhi lian, + chai hu, + yin chen hao, − wu ling zhi, − chuan xiong, − chi shao, − wu yao, − zhi ke
Cholecystitis and gallstones with loose stools or diarrhea (combined with Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang): + ban zhi lian, + chai hu, + yin chen hao, + cang zhu, + huang qi, − wu ling zhi, − chuan xiong, − chi shao, − wu yao, − zhi ke, − mu dan pi
Cholecystitis and gallstones with lumps accumulated below the flanks (combined with Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang): + ban zhi lian, + chai hu, + yin chen hao, + bie jia, + dan shen, − wu ling zhi, − chuan xiong, − chi shao, − wu yao, − zhi ke
Chronic pancreatitis from deficiency Cold of the Spleen and Stomach: + shan yao, + mu xiang, + he zi, + gan jiang, + rou dou kou, + sha ren
Chronic pancreatitis from deficiency Cold of the Spleen and Stomach, without cold limbs: + shan yao, + mu xiang, + he zi, + rou dou kou, + sha ren
Chronic pancreatitis from deficiency Cold of the Spleen and Stomach, with food stagnation: + shan yao, + mu xiang, + he zi, + gan jiang, + rou dou kou, + sha ren, + shan zha, + mai ya, + shen qu
Puerperal fever from food stagnation: + shan zha, + mai ya, + shen qu, + shi gao
Sjogren's syndrome (combined with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan)
Sjogren's syndrome with a long-lasting low fever (combined with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan): + yin chai hu, + bie jia, + qing hao
Chronic bacillary dysentery: + dang shen, + mu xiang, + chen pi, + huang lian, + bai tou weng, + di yu, − ren shen
Chronic bacillary dysentery with irritability and thirst, a red tongue with little coat and a rapid pulse: + dang shen, + mu xiang, + chen pi, + huang lian, + bai tou weng, + di yu, + sheng di huang, + bai shao, + wu mei, − ren shen
AIDS/HIV/ARC: + huang qi, + bai bian dou
AIDS/HIV/ARC with wasting and weakness: + huang qi, + shan yao, + zhi ban xia, + sha ren, + mu xiang, + chen pi
Leukopenia from Spleen Qi deficiency (combined with Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang): + bai bian dou, + shan yao, + sha ren, + ji nei jin, − yi tang, − gan cao, − sheng jiang
Leukopenia from Qi and Yin deficiency (combined with Qi Wei Du Qi Wan)
Leukopenia from Qi and Yin deficiency, with anemia (combined with Qi Wei Du Qi Wan): + he shou wu, + ji xue teng
Leukopenia from Qi and Yin deficiency, with fidgeting and heat in the palms, soles and chest (combined with Qi Wei Du Qi Wan): + zhi mu
Foot pain: + qin jiao, + chuan xiong, + huai niu xi
Foot pain with fatigue all over: + qin jiao, + chuan xiong, + huai niu xi, + mu gua, + huang qi
Foot pain with dislike of exposing the feet to cold: + qin jiao, + chuan xiong, + huai niu xi, + gui zhi
Spontaneous sweating with foot pain: + qin jiao, + chuan xiong, + huai niu xi, + mu li
Shortness of breath with foot pain: + qin jiao, + chuan xiong, + huai niu xi, + wu wei zi
Foot pain with poor appetite: + qin jiao, + chuan xiong, + huai niu xi, + ji nei jin, + mai ya
Foot pain with diarrhea: + qin jiao, + chuan xiong, + huai niu xi, + bu gu zhi
Foot pain with a full feeling in the abdomen: + qin jiao, + chuan xiong, + huai niu xi, + mu xiang

Cautions

contraindication Excess patterns where high fever comes with thirst, irritability and constipation

contraindication Heat patterns of either the excess or the Yin-deficient kind: its warm tonic herbs can make them worse, so reassess if signs of Heat or stagnation develop

contraindication Deficiency Heat, high fever, or irritability, thirst, bloating and constipation occurring together, unless the formula is modified

caution Some people develop irritability and a dry mouth on prolonged use; stop or reassess if this happens

Pinyin

si jun zi tang·si jun zi tang

English Name

Four Gentlemen Decoction

si jun zi tang

About si jun zi tang

Ingredients

Actions and indications

Tonifies Qi

Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach

Modern uses

Symptoms

Modifications

Cautions

Preparation

Names

Classification

Support