Zeng Ye Tang, Increase the Fluids Decoction, is Xuan Shen, Mai Men Dong and Sheng Di Huang. The catalogue classes it among the formulas that enrich Yin and moisten Dryness, and records it as generating fluids and unblocking the bowels.

Herb

Amount

xuan shen

30 g

mai men dong

24 g

sheng di huang

24 g

Actions and indications

Nourishes Yin and generates fluids

Fluids and Yin used up, classically after a warm-febrile illness, so the Large Intestine is too dry to move the stool (Yang Ming deficiency)
Heat at the Ying level with dryness of the Middle Jiao
Thirst with a dry mouth, nose and throat; dizziness
Tongue red, thin and dry, with no coat or a dry yellow coat; pulse thin and rapid, or weak and without force, or deep and without force

Moistens dryness and unblocks the bowels

Constipation with dry stool from lack of fluid, not from an excess Heat bind
Typically without fever, abdominal fullness, distension or pain

Modern uses

Habitual constipation
Constipation after febrile illness or in old age
Irritable bowel syndrome
Hemorrhoids
Intestinal tuberculosis (large bowel)
Long-term dryness of mouth and throat
Chronic pharyngitis
Cheilitis
Stomatitis
Aphthous ulcers
Bad breath
Mouth problems after radiation treatment
Dysphagia
Reflux esophagitis
Esophageal cancer
Nausea and vomiting
Morning sickness
Chronic pancreatitis
Diabetes
Hyperthyroidism
Atrophic rhinitis
Tinnitus
Dizziness and vertigo
Fever
Viral infection
After-effects of infectious diseases
Recovery after surgery
Erysipelas
Drug-induced dermatitis
Varicose veins
Osteoarthritis
Bipolar disorder
Mania
Weakness

Modifications

Severe constipation, or stool still not moving once fluids are restored: + da huang, + mang xiao

Severe Stomach Yin deficiency with a peeled, shiny tongue and parched mouth and lips: + sha shen, + yu zhu, + shi hu

Toothache: + huai niu xi, + mu dan pi, + bu gu zhi, + lu feng fang

Bleeding hemorrhoids (combined with Huai Hua San): + huai hua mi, + di yu

More severe clumped Heat (combined with Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang)

Mouth problems after radiation treatment: dryness that is worse at night, irritability, dry tongue, thin rapid pulse: + ju hua, + tian hua fen, + sha shen, + shan yao, + mu dan pi, + shen qu

Atrophic rhinitis (combined with Ba Zhen Tang)

Atrophic rhinitis with Stomach Yin deficiency (combined with Ba Zhen Tang): + yu zhu, + shi hu

Atrophic rhinitis with nosebleeds (combined with Ba Zhen Tang): + mo han lian, + xian he cao

Atrophic rhinitis with a foul smell in the nose (combined with Ba Zhen Tang): + huang bai, + zhi mu

Atrophic rhinitis that is worse in autumn and winter (combined with Ba Zhen Tang): + chi shao, + chuan xiong, + dang gui

Sore throat from Yin deficiency with invading Dryness and Heat: + huang qin, + lian qiao

Show all 32 modifications

Ying-level Heat: + shui niu jiao, + huang lian, + jin yin hua, + lian qiao, + zhu ye (dan), + dan shen
Diphtheria: + bai shao, + mu dan pi, + chuan bei mu, + bo he, + gan cao
To strengthen the formula: + shi hu, + lu gen
Heat Bi: + shi hu, + zhi mu, + mu dan pi, + di gu pi
Heat Bi with macular skin eruptions: + shi hu, + zhi mu, + mu dan pi, + di gu pi, + sheng di huang, + chi shao, + dan shen
Hyperthyroidism: + tian hua fen
Excess Heat with morning sickness: + zhu ru, + huang lian
Rebellious Qi with morning sickness: + zhi ban xia
Pharyngitis (or combined with Xiao Ban Xia Tang): + jie geng, + gan cao, − sheng di huang
Cheilitis: + jin yin hua, + shi hu, + mu dan pi
Varicose veins with hard nodules in the legs: + hai zao, + kun bu, + bie jia
Varicose veins with ulcers and heavy discharge: + ze xie, + han fang ji
Severely painful varicose veins: + chuan lian zi, + yan hu suo
Varicose legs marked by dark purplish patches: + ji xue teng, + hong hua
Yin-deficient constipation: + shi hu, + yu zhu, + huo ma ren, + feng mi
Dysphagia, reflux esophagitis or esophageal cancer from Heat drying the Yin and fluids of the throat and esophagus, with marked dryness, little saliva and constipation: + yu zhu, + tian hua fen, + zhi mu, + shi hu, + shan dou gen, + lou lu, + bai hua she she cao
The same pattern with esophageal tumors, Toxic Heat and hardness (two or three of Xian Feng Cao, Ji Xing Zi, Long Kui, Shan Ci Gu, Ban Zhi Lian, Huang Yao Zi may also be added): + yu zhu, + tian hua fen, + shan dou gen, + lou lu, + bai hua she she cao
Drug-induced dermatitis (combined with Dang Gui Yin Zi): + shu di huang, + bai zhu, + di fu zi, + bai xian pi, − bai ji li, − jing jie, − fang feng, − he shou wu
Drug-induced dermatitis with Heat and dysphoria (combined with Dang Gui Yin Zi): + shu di huang, + bai zhu, + di fu zi, + bai xian pi, + nan sha shen, + lian zi xin, + shi hu, − bai ji li, − jing jie, − fang feng, − he shou wu
Drug-induced dermatitis with severe itching (combined with Dang Gui Yin Zi): + shu di huang, + bai zhu, + di fu zi, + bai xian pi, + chan tui, + quan xie, − bai ji li, − jing jie, − fang feng, − he shou wu

Cautions

contraindication Constipation that is not from Heat and dryness badly damaging Yin and fluids, including excess Heat binding the stool, where it is too weak without a purgative

caution All three herbs are cold and rich: avoid, or use carefully, in Cold or Damp constipation, Spleen and Stomach Yang deficiency, loose stools or diarrhea

caution Persistent or severe constipation, especially in the elderly or frail, needs medical assessment to rule out dehydration or other causes

Pinyin

zeng ye tang

English Name

Inrease the Fluids Decoction

zeng ye tang

About zeng ye tang

Ingredients

Actions and indications

Nourishes Yin and generates fluids

Moistens dryness and unblocks the bowels

Modern uses

Symptoms

Modifications

Cautions

Preparation

Names

Classification

Support