Gui Pi Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
归脾汤 · Guī Pí Tāng
A classical formula for Spleen Qi and Heart Blood deficiency from overthinking, with insomnia, palpitations, fatigue, poor appetite and possible spotting or pale menstruation.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Qi-Tonifying Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Qi Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Tonify Qi and Blood, strengthen Spleen, nourish the Heart
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Strengthen Spleen Qi and nourish Heart Blood to calm the spirit
- Classical Source
- Ji Sheng Fang (Yan Yonghe, Song dynasty)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for Spleen Qi and Heart Blood deficiency from overthinking, with insomnia, palpitations, fatigue, poor appetite and possible spotting or pale menstruation.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected when overthinking has damaged Spleen and Heart — insomnia and fatigue with digestive weakness — rather than pure Middle-raising or general dual tonification.
Composition: Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Envoy
Every herb in the formula, grouped by the job it does in the classical hierarchy.
君SovereignTreats the main pattern
人參Ren Shen9g
Ginseng Root- the two work together with huang qi to increase their function to supplement the spleen qi
黃芪Huang Qi12g
Astragalus Root- supplements and nourishes the heart and spleen
- boosts qi and enriches blood
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
酸棗仁Suan Zao Ren9g
Sour Jujube Seed- nourishes the heart and calms the spirit
龍眼肉Long Yan Rou9g
Longan Aril- nourishes the heart and spleen
木香Mu Xiang6g
Aucklandia / Costus Root- use in combination with supplementing medicinals
- it and helps to moderate the supplementation without causing stagnation
當歸Dang Gui9g
Chinese Angelica Root- acts together with long yan rou to supplement heart blood
遠志Yuan Zhi6g
Polygala Root- calms the spirit and transforms phlegm in the heart orifice
Classical Composition
- Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Bai Zhu) 1 qian (3g)
- Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui) 1 qian (3g)
- Poria (Fu Ling) 1 qian (3g)
- Astragali Radix (Huang Qi) 1 qian (3g)
- Polygalae Radix (Yuan Zhi) 1 qian (3g)
- Longan Arillus (Long Yan Rou) 1 qian (3g)
- Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (Suan Zao Ren dry-fried) 1 qian (3g)
- Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Ren Shen) 1 qian (6g)
- Aucklandiae Radix (Mu Xiang) 5 fen (1.5g)
- Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle (Zhi Gan Cao) 3 fen (1g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Boosts qi
- supplements blood; fortifies the spleen
- and nourishes the heart.
Indications
- 1.
- Qi and blood deficiency of the heart and spleen marked by palpitations, amnesia, insomnia, night sweat, deficiency-heat, tiredness, reduced food intake, withered-sallow complexion, a pale tongue with a thin, white coating, and thready, weak pulses. 2.
- Spleen deficiency that fails to control the blood marked by hematochezia, subcutaneous purpura, flooding and spotting (beng lou), early menstruation, profuse pale menses, persistent vaginal bleeding, a pale tongue, and thready, weak pulses.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- Gui Pi Tang is used to treat qi and blood depletion due to overthinking or overwork.
- Overthinking damages the spleen.
- The spleen controls thinking and keeps the blood within the vessels.
- Therefore, patients manifest tiredness, anorexia, and deficiency-heat.
- Overwork injures the heart.
- The heart stores the spirit and governs blood and vessels.
- Therefore, patients present with blood insufficiency signs including palpitations, amnesia, insomnia, and night sweat.
- Spleen deficiency and qi-blood deficiency is the basic pathology.
Clinical presentation
- The other symptoms such as withered-sallow complexion, a pale tongue with a thin, white coating, and thready, slow pulses all indicate qi and blood insufficiency.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment principle is to strengthen Spleen Qi and nourish Heart Blood to calm the spirit.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Gui Pi Tang tonifies Spleen-Heart for overthinking deficiency. Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang raises Middle Qi. Ba Zhen Tang is a general dual tonic. Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang more broadly tonifies and calms.
Clinical Differentiation
- Gui Pi Tang is commonly used to treat qi and blood deficiency of the heart and spleen.
- This clinical pattern is marked by palpitations, insomnia, lassitude, anorexia, hematochezia, flooding and spotting, pale tongue, thready, weak pulse.
Safety notes: This formula is sweet and supplementing. It is not appropriate for interior damp-heat or for fire-type bleeding.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Gui Pi Tang?
Gui Pi Tang has the actions of tonifying Spleen Qi, nourishing Heart Blood, calming the Shen (spirit), and restoring the Spleen’s ability to hold Blood within the vessels. It is the classic formula for combined Heart and Spleen deficiency caused by overthinking and worry.
Which modern diseases is Gui Pi Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Heart-Spleen Qi and Blood deficiency, including insomnia and anxiety of this type, anemia, functional uterine bleeding or menorrhagia with pale blood, neurasthenia or chronic fatigue with poor memory and appetite, easy bruising or certain thrombocytopenic presentations, and post-stress or post-illness recovery with these signs.
Is Gui Pi Tang suitable for improving fatigue, poor appetite, palpitations, insomnia, and forgetfulness from overthinking?
For presentations of mental and physical fatigue, reduced appetite, pale or sallow complexion, palpitations, difficulty sleeping or dream-disturbed sleep, poor memory or concentration after prolonged worry or mental strain, and a pale tongue with thin white coating and thin weak pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Heart and Spleen Qi-Blood deficiency — TCM commonly applies Gui Pi Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment.
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Gui Pi Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Spleen Qi & Heart Blood Deficiency, Fatigue & Insomnia
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Medical Disclaimer
For general TCM education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a chronic condition.