Liu Jun Zi Tang (六君子汤) — Six Gentlemen Decoction

On this page

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

Overview

Liu Jun Zi Tang — Six Gentlemen Decoction — is built upon Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) with the addition of Ban Xia and Chen Pi to dry Dampness and transform Phlegm. This modification addresses the extremely common clinical situation where Spleen Qi deficiency has allowed Dampness and Phlegm to accumulate. The formula simultaneously strengthens the Spleen (addressing the root cause) and resolves existing Phlegm-Damp (addressing the manifestation).

TCM pattern

Prescribed for Spleen and Stomach Qi deficiency with Phlegm-Damp, characterised by: fatigue^[9], poor appetite, nausea^[12], a sensation of fullness in the epigastrium, cough^[10] with phlegm, a swollen pale tongue with greasy white coating, and a weak, slippery pulse.

Key herbs

1. Ren Shen (Panax ginseng root, 3-9g) — powerfully tonifies Spleen and Lung Qi
2. Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala rhizome, 4-12g) — tonifies Spleen Qi and dries Dampness
3. Fu Ling (Poria cocos, 4-12g) — tonifies Spleen and leaches out Dampness
4. Zhi Gan Cao (honey-fried Glycyrrhiza root, 1.5-6g) — tonifies Qi and harmonises
5. Ban Xia (Pinellia ternata rhizome, processed, 3-9g) — dries Dampness, transforms Phlegm, descends Rebellious Qi and stops nausea
6. Chen Pi (aged Citrus reticulata peel, 2.4-6g) — regulates Qi, dries Dampness and transforms Phlegm

Formula actions

1. Tonifies Qi
2. Strengthens the Spleen
3. Dries Dampness
4. Transforms Phlegm

Conditions treated

1. Digestive disorders with Spleen Qi deficiency and Phlegm-Damp — bloating, poor appetite, nausea, loose stools
2. Morning sickness in pregnancy from Spleen deficiency with Phlegm
3. Chronic respiratory conditions with Spleen-generated Phlegm
4. Chronic fatigue with poor digestion and Phlegm-Damp heaviness
5. IBS[5] with Spleen Qi deficiency and Phlegm-Damp

Cautions

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Online herbal consultations are available. See the prices page for costs.

Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide. After a full video consultation, Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto formulates a bespoke herbal prescription and posts your Chinese herbs directly to your door.

References

[5] Liu Q, Shi Z, Zhang T, Jiang T, Luo X, Su X, Yang Y, Wei W. Efficacy and Safety of Chinese Herbal Medicine Xiao Yao San in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Jan 19;12:821802. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.821802. PMID: 35126152.

[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.

[12] Zhai X, He Q, Chen M, Yu L, Tong C, Chen Y, et al. Pinellia ternata-containing traditional Chinese medicine combined with 5-HT3RAs for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 RCTs. Phytomedicine. 2023 Jul;115:154823. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154823. PMID: 37099981.