Spleen Qi Deficiency

脾氣虛 / 脾气虚

Insufficient Spleen Qi leading to poor digestion, fatigue, loose stools and reduced transformation and transportation.

This entry is a TCM pattern

Quick Facts

Health Topic	Digestive Health
Also Known As	Spleen Qi Xu, Weak Spleen Qi, Spleen deficiency pattern, Middle Qi weakness
Common Symptoms	A pattern characterised by reduced transformation and transportation of the Spleen. Common observations include poor appetite, loose stools, fatigue after meals, a pale complexion, and a soft or weak voice. The tongue is often pale with a thin white coating, and the pulse may feel weak or empty.
Related Classical Formulas	Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang · Si Jun Zi Tang · Liu Jun Zi Tang · Shen Ling Bai Zhu San · Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang

Spleen Qi Deficiency in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Spleen Qi deficiency is a classical pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine, not a single modern diagnosis. It describes a state in which the Spleen’s capacity to transform food and raise clear Qi is reduced. Typical presentations include poor appetite, loose stools, postprandial fatigue and a pale complexion. In the classical literature this pattern is the foundation of many Qi-tonifying approaches, and formulas such as those in the Si Jun Zi Tang family are traditionally discussed in relation to it. Differentiation from pure Yang deficiency or damp obstruction still depends on the full picture of tongue, pulse and accompanying signs.