Bu Gan Tang - 補肝汤 - Tonify The Liver Decoction

English:	Tonify the Liver Decoction
Also Known As:	Reinforce the Liver Decoction

Herbs And Actions

Pharmaceutical Latin	Pin Yin	Dosage	Actions
Rx. Angelicae Sinensis	Dang Gui	9-12g	Nourishes, invigorates and harmonizes the Blood. With Bai Shao, regulates and harmonizes Blood. With Bai Shao, Shu Di Huang and Chuan Xiong, for menstrual irregularity, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea due to Blood Deficiency or Stasis. With Shu Di Huang, for Heat symptoms due to Yin Deficiency and Devastated Blood. With Chuan Xiong, harmonizes, nourishes and invigorates the Blood and disperses Blood Stasis.
Rz. Chuanxiong	Chuan Xiong	6-9g	Invigorates the Blood and promotes Qi movement. With Dang Gui, for Blood Deficiency causing menstrual problems.
Rx. Paeoniae Alba	Bai Shao	9-15g	Calms Liver Yang and preserves Yin, Nourishes the Blood, Regulates the menses. With Zhi Gan Cao, for muscle spasms, especially in the calf, due to Blood Deficiency.
Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata	Shu Di Huang	15-24g	Nourishes Blood and nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin. With Dang Gui and Bai Shao, for dizziness, insomnia, palpitations and menstrual dysfunction due to Blood Deficiency.
Sm. Zizyphi Spinosae	Suan Zao Ren	6-9g	Augments Liver Blood, Calms the Shen and astringes perspiration, Nourishes Heart Yin.
Fr. Chaenomelis	Mu Gua	6-9g	Increases Qi and Blood circulation, unblocks the channels and harmonizes the Stomach With Dang Gui and Bai Shao, for muscle spasms due to Blood Deficiency.
Rx. Glycyrrhizae Preparata	Zhi Gan Cao	3-6g	Alleviates pain and moderates, Harmonizes the harsh properties of other herbs, Moderates spasms, Tonifies Qi. With Dang Gui, moderates spasms.

Formula Actions

• Tonifies and Regulates Blood
• Nourishes Liver Yin

Syndromes

• Liver Wind Stirring Internally: Liver Blood Deficiency Generates Wind
• Liver Yin and Blood Deficiency

Clinical Manifestations

Headache Dizziness Tinnitus Dry eyes Photophobia Blurred vision Irritability Numbness

Bad temper Muscle twitches Malar flush Fatigue T: Pale or Red and dry C: Little P: Thready and rapid or Thready wiry and rapid or Wiry

Treats

Photophobia Anemia Headache Amenorrhea Late menstruation Dizziness Paresthesia Parkinson' disease Tinnitus Neurasthenia Weakness Scanty menstruation Dandruff

Muscle spasms Malaise Dry eyes Chronic fatigue syndrome Insomnia Vertigo Numbness AIDS/HIV Neurosis Hypotension Fatigue Unilateral pain

Contraindications And Herb/Drug Interactions

Notes

Modifications

For a stronger Yin tonifying effect:		For severe headache, dizziness and muscle cramps:
+ 12-15g Rx. Ophiopogonis	Mai Men Dong
+ Concha Haliotidis	Shi Jue Ming
For dry eyes, photophobia and decreased vision:		+ Flos Chrysanthemi	Ju Hua
+ Fr. Lycii	Gou Qi Zi	+ Ram. cum Uncis Uncariae	Gou Teng
+ Fr. Ligustri Lucidi	Nu Zhen Zi
For numbness in the limbs:		For irritability, a bad temper, dark urine and/or constipation:
+ Rx. Scutellariae	Huang Qin
+ Fructus Luffae Retinervus	Si Gua Luo	+ Rx. Gentianae	Long Dan Cao
+ Rx. Scutellariae	Huang Qin
+ Fr. Gardeniae	Zhi Zi