Du Qi Wan (都气丸) — Capital Qi Pill

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

Du Qi Wan — the “Capital Qi Pill” — is a modification of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan with Wu Wei Zi added, from the Qing-dynasty Yi Zong Ji Cheng. It addresses Lung-Kidney Qi deficiency where the Kidney fails to grasp Qi for inspiration: chronic wheezing or dyspnoea worse on exertion, more difficulty inhaling than exhaling, weak voice, fatigue^[9] on minimal activity. The classical TCM concept of “Kidney grasping Qi” describes the Kidney’s role in anchoring the descending phase of breathing; when depleted, the breath becomes shallow and the patient cannot “catch” their breath.

I prescribe Du Qi Wan as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Du Qi Wan is prescribed for Kidney failing to grasp Qi (Lung-Kidney Qi deficiency):

• Wheezing or dyspnoea worse on exertion
• Difficulty inhaling, can exhale but not inhale fully
• Shortness of breath, weak voice
• Lower back ache, weak knees
• Spontaneous sweating with exertion
• Tongue — pale or red, possibly with peeled patches
• Pulse — thin, weak, especially in chi position

Key herbs

1. Shu Di Huang (Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata, 9–30g) — chief; tonifies Kidney Yin and Essence
2. Shan Zhu Yu (Fr. Corni, 6–12g) — tonifies Liver-Kidney; astringes
3. Shan Yao (Rz. Dioscoreae, 6–15g) — tonifies Spleen, Lung and Kidney
4. Fu Ling (Poria, 6–9g), Ze Xie (Rz. Alismatis, 6–9g), Mu Dan Pi (Cx. Moutan, 6–9g) — balance the nourishing herbs (Liu Wei core)
5. Wu Wei Zi (Fr. Schisandrae, 3–9g) — astringes Lung Qi; helps Kidney grasp Qi

Formula actions

1. Tonifies Lung and Kidney Yin
2. Helps the Kidney grasp Qi for inspiration
3. Astringes Lung Qi; stops wheezing

Conditions treated

1. Chronic asthma[13] with Kidney failing to grasp Qi — see asthma
2. COPD with Lung-Kidney deficiency
3. Exercise-induced dyspnoea in older adults
4. Chronic dry cough^[10] with Yin deficiency
5. Post-COVID exertional dyspnoea with Lung-Kidney depletion
6. Pulmonary fibrosis with Yin-deficient pattern (adjunctive)

Cautions

Not appropriate for acute Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat asthma exacerbations, Phlegm-Damp patterns, or excess wheezing — this is for the deep deficiency root.

Severe acute asthma attack requires conventional emergency care — call 999 if the patient cannot complete sentences.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.

References

[9] Wang YY, Li XX, Liu JP, Luo H, Ma LX, Alraek T. Traditional Chinese medicine for chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Complement Ther Med. 2014 Aug;22(4):826-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2014.06.004. PMID: 25146086.

[10] Lee B, Kwon CY, Suh HW, Kim YJ, Kim KI, Lee BJ, Lee JH. Herbal medicine for the treatment of chronic cough: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pharmacol. 2023 Oct 17;14:1230604. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1230604. PMID: 37920213.

[13] Shergis JL, Wu L, Zhang AL, Guo X, Lu C, Xue CC. Herbal medicine for adults with asthma: A systematic review. J Asthma. 2016 Aug;53(6):650-9. https://doi.org/10.3109/02770903.2015.1101132. PMID: 27172294.