Liu Jun Zi Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
六君子汤 · Liù Jūn Zǐ Tāng
Built upon Si Jun Zi Tang by adding Chen Pi and Ban Xia. It addresses Spleen Qi deficiency complicated by phlegm-damp, presenting with epigastric fullness, nausea, loose stools and greasy tongue coating.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Qi-Tonifying Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Spleen Qi Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Tonify Spleen Qi, resolve phlegm-damp
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Tonify Qi, strengthen the Spleen, dry dampness and resolve phlegm
- Classical Source
- Yi Xue Zheng Zhuan (or derived from Si Jun Zi Tang + Chen Pi + Ban Xia)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
Built upon Si Jun Zi Tang by adding Chen Pi and Ban Xia. It addresses Spleen Qi deficiency complicated by phlegm-damp, presenting with epigastric fullness, nausea, loose stools and greasy tongue coating.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected when Spleen Qi deficiency is complicated by phlegm-damp — copious sputum, nausea and fullness — adding phlegm-resolving action that Si Jun Zi Tang lacks, while stopping short of the Qi-moving emphasis of Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang and the anti-diarrhoeal focus of Shen Ling Bai Zhu San.
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
茯苓Fu Ling9g
Poria / Hoelen- fortifies the spleen
- leaches dampness and quiets the heart
陳皮Chen Pi3g
Tangerine Peel- regulates middle qi
- dries dampness and directs counterflow downward
半夏Ban Xia4.5g
Pinellia Rhizome- transforms phlegm
Classical Composition
- Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng (Ren Shen) 9g
- Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (Bai Zhu) 9g
- Poria (Fu Ling) 9g
- Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle (Zhi Gan Cao) 6g
- Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (Chen Pi) 3g
- Rhizoma Pinelliae (Ban Xia) 4.5g
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Fortifies the spleen and boosts qi
- dries dampness and resolves phlegm.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for spleen-stomach qi deficiency with phlegm-damp.
- Signs and symptoms include a pale complexion, a low voice, shortness of breath, fatigue, poor appetite, loose stools, cough with copious white phlegm, nausea, and epigastric fullness.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue is pale with a white greasy coating, and the pulse is deficient.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This pattern is due to spleen and stomach qi deficiency in which transportation and transformation fail.
- When the middle jiao is weak, food and fluids are not properly transformed, phlegm-damp may be generated, and qi may stagnate locally in the stomach and intestines.
Clinical presentation
- Spleen qi deficiency generates phlegm-damp; the addition of ban xia and chen pi addresses the resulting nausea, greasy coating and loose stools that pure qi tonification cannot resolve.
Treatment strategy
- The correct method is to fortify the spleen, boost qi, and, where needed, dry dampness or move stagnant qi.
- In this formula the emphasis is to tonify Qi, strengthen the Spleen, dry dampness and resolve phlegm.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Si Jun Zi Tang addresses pure deficiency. Liu Jun Zi Tang adds phlegm-resolving capacity. Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang further moves Qi for marked bloating and stagnation. Shen Ling Bai Zhu San is preferred when chronic diarrhoea and dampness are more prominent than phlegm.
Clinical Differentiation
- Liu Jun Zi Tang is used for spleen qi deficiency with phlegm-damp rather than pure deficiency.
- The pattern is marked by epigastric fullness, nausea, loose stools and a greasy coating on a pale tongue.
- It stands between Si Jun Zi Tang (pure qi supplementation) and Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang (additional qi-moving aromatics).
- It is not selected when there is only fatigue without phlegm-damp signs.
Safety notes: Because Ban Xia and Chen Pi are warm and drying, this formula is not appropriate for yin-deficiency dry cough or for phlegm-heat with yellow sticky sputum.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Liu Jun Zi Tang?
Liu Jun Zi Tang has the actions of strengthening the Spleen, tonifying Qi, drying Dampness, and transforming Phlegm. It is Si Jun Zi Tang with Chen Pi and Ban Xia added for Spleen Qi deficiency complicated by Phlegm-Damp.
Which modern diseases is Liu Jun Zi Tang suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Spleen Qi deficiency with Phlegm-Damp, including chronic gastritis or functional dyspepsia with nausea and fullness, chronic loose stools, chronic bronchitis or cough with white phlegm of Spleen-Lung deficiency type, and recovery from illness with poor appetite and easy production of Phlegm.
Is Liu Jun Zi Tang suitable for improving fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, and white phlegm?
For presentations of tiredness, reduced appetite, epigastric fullness, nausea or vomiting of thin fluids, loose stools, cough with white easy-to-expectorate phlegm, a pale tongue with white greasy coating, and a weak or slippery pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Spleen Qi deficiency generating Phlegm-Damp — TCM commonly applies Liu Jun Zi Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace evaluation of chronic digestive or respiratory disease.
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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.