Li Zhong Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
理中汤 · Lǐ Zhōng Tāng
Foundational formula for Spleen and Stomach deficiency Cold (Middle Yang deficiency). Presents with abdominal pain relieved by warmth, loose stools, vomiting of clear fluid and cold limbs.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Yang-Tonifying Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Yang Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Warm Middle, tonify Spleen Yang
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Warm the Middle Jiao and strengthen the Spleen
- Classical Source
- Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing, Eastern Han)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
Foundational formula for Spleen and Stomach deficiency Cold (Middle Yang deficiency). Presents with abdominal pain relieved by warmth, loose stools, vomiting of clear fluid and cold limbs.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for straightforward Middle Yang deficiency with cold abdominal pain, loose stools and poor appetite, warming and tonifying directly — without the sweet moderating and Blood-nourishing action of Xiao Jian Zhong Tang, and far milder than Da Jian Zhong Tang, which is reserved for severe interior Cold with intense pain.
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
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
Classical Composition
- Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Ren Shen) 3 liang (90g)
- Zingiberis Rhizoma (Gan Jiang) 3 liang (90g)
- Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle (Zhi Gan Cao) 3 liang (90g)
- Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Bai Zhu) 3 liang (90g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Warms the center and dispels cold
- boosts qi and supplements the spleen.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for: 1.
- Deficiency-cold of the spleen and stomach.
- The symptoms include chronic stomachache which can be reduced by warmth and pressure, vomiting, loose stool, distention and fullness of the stomach, poor appetite, fear of cold, cold limbs, a pale tongue with a white coating, and a deep, thin pulse or deep, slow and feeble pulse. 2.
- Blood loss due to spleen yang deficiency.
- The symptoms are bloody stool, spitting of blood, nose bleeding, and menstrual flooding and spotting with pale and thin blood. 3.
- Chest bi syndrome due to deficiency-cold of the spleen and stomach.
- Besides the obstruction of qi in the chest, other symptoms include stuffiness and fullness in the chest and stomach, qi counter-flowing to the chest, profuse saliva after the illness, or chronic infantile convulsions.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This formula is indicated for patterns caused by deficiency-cold of the spleen and stomach.
- Insufficiency of center yang produces cold, yang deficiency fails to warm, and cold has the property of coagulation and stagnation so there is a fear of cold, cold limbs, and occasional abdominal pain reduced by pressure and warmth.
- The spleen governs transportation and transformation and controls the ascent of the clear, while the stomach governs receiving food and the descent of the turbid.
- However in patterns of deficiency-cold of the spleen and stomach the ascending and descending function is damaged, so there is distention and fullness of the stomach, poor appetite, vomiting, and loose stool.
Clinical presentation
- All manifestations such as the pale tongue with a white, watery coating, lack of thirst, and a deep, thin or deep, slow and feeble pulse refers to deficiency-cold.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment is to warm the center in order to dispel cold, boost qi, and fortify the spleen.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Li Zhong Tang is the core formula for Middle Yang deficiency. Xiao Jian Zhong Tang adds sweet moderating and Blood-nourishing actions for spasmodic pain. Da Jian Zhong Tang is much stronger for severe Cold. Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang emphasises Qi tonification.
Clinical Differentiation
- This is a basic formula for deficiency-cold of the spleen and stomach, also known as deficiency-cold of the middle jiao.
- This clinical pattern is marked by chronic continuous abdominal pain or stomachache, vomiting, diarrhea, fear of cold and cold limbs, pale tongue with white coating, thin, deep pulse.
Safety notes: This formula is prohibited for syndromes of damp-heat accumulation in the middle jiao, or spleen-stomach yin deficiency.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Li Zhong Tang?
Li Zhong Tang has the actions of warming the Middle Jiao, dispelling Cold, strengthening the Spleen, and tonifying Qi. It is the representative Shang Han Lun formula for Spleen-Stomach deficiency Cold.
Which modern diseases is Li Zhong Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Middle Jiao deficiency Cold, including chronic gastritis or peptic ulcer of Cold type, chronic diarrhea or irritable-bowel presentations with cold pain, functional dyspepsia with preference for warmth, and recovery-stage digestive weakness after illness.
Is Li Zhong Tang suitable for improving cold abdominal pain and loose stools?
For presentations of abdominal pain that likes warmth and pressure, loose stools or watery diarrhea, poor appetite, absence of thirst, cold limbs, a pale tongue with white coating, and a deep thin pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Spleen-Stomach Yang deficiency Cold — TCM commonly applies Li Zhong Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace evaluation of inflammatory, infectious, or other medical causes of diarrhea and pain.
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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.