Herbsmith Rx Gui Pi Tang for Cats, Dogs and Horses

{"id":6898948472902,"title":"Herbsmith Rx Gui Pi Tang for Cats, Dogs and Horses","handle":"herbsmith-rx-gui-pi-tang-for-cats-dogs-and-horses","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0021\/2110\/5457\/files\/veterinary_authorizaton_required_for_tcvm_herbal_formulas_240x240.jpg?v=1787081808\" alt=\"Veterinary Authorization Required for TCVM Herbal Formulas - TCVM Pet Supply\" style=\"margin: 5px 5px 5px 5px; float: right;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHerbsmith Rx Gui Pi Tang is a classical Chinese herbal formula recommended by holistic veterinarians to augment the qi, tonify the blood, strengthen the spleen, and nourish the heart in dogs, cats, and horses. Also known as Restore the Spleen Powder, Ginseng and Longan Combination, Gather Vitality, and Return the Spleen Formula, this ten-herb formula from Yan Yonghe's Ji Sheng Fang (Formulas for Saving Lives, Song dynasty, 1253 CE) addresses the dual vacuity of the heart and spleen pattern through a coordinated strategy of spleen qi tonification, heart blood nourishment, and spirit calming. The formula's dual-organ focus reflects the classical TCVM understanding that the spleen is the source of qi and blood production (the post-heaven foundation of all qi and blood), and that when spleen qi vacuity fails to generate adequate qi and blood, the heart, which requires blood to nourish the spirit (shen) and qi to drive the heartbeat, becomes blood-deficient and qi-deficient simultaneously. The result is the characteristic heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern: spleen qi vacuity generates the fatigue, poor digestion, and reduced appetite from inadequate qi production; heart blood and qi vacuity generates the heart palpitations from inadequate blood and qi to nourish and drive the heart; and heart spirit disturbance from heart blood vacuity generates the anxiety, restlessness, night panting, and disturbed sleep that are the most distressing presenting signs for the pet and owner. Well suited for dogs, cats, and horses presenting with the heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern, characterized by fatigue and reduced stamina, reduced appetite and loose stools or poor digestion from spleen qi vacuity, heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat from heart qi and blood vacuity, anxiety, restlessness, and night panting from heart spirit disturbance, a pale tongue with a thin white coating reflecting the qi and blood vacuity, and a thin weak pulse reflecting the blood and qi insufficiency. Available as a concentrated powder mixed into food; cats and dogs use the Canine Blend, while horses use the Equine\/Horse Blend. Dosing varies by species and body weight, and your authorizing veterinarian will provide specific guidance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tcvmpet.com\/pages\/get-an-authorization\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSubmit Your Authorization Request\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tcvmpet.com\/pages\/schedule-a-consultation\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRequest a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat It Supports\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpleen qi and heart qi tonification through the Ren Shen and Huang Qi principal pair, providing the foundational qi from which all blood production and spirit nourishment depend:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tonifies the spleen qi and heart qi through the classical Ren Shen (ginseng) and Huang Qi (astragalus) paired combination, the most potent qi-tonifying herb pair in the classical materia medica and the foundational qi-building layer from which Gui Pi Tang's blood nourishment and spirit-calming actions derive their effectiveness. Ren Shen strongly tonifies the yuan (source) qi, spleen qi, and heart qi, and calms the spirit through its direct heart-tonifying and spirit-quieting action; Huang Qi strongly tonifies the spleen and wei (defensive) qi, consolidates the exterior, and prevents the heart qi from leaking outward through the open pores during the anxiety and sweating that can accompany heart qi vacuity. Together, Ren Shen and Huang Qi provide comprehensive qi tonification that addresses the spleen's failure to generate adequate qi from digested food (the post-heaven qi production compromised by spleen qi vacuity) and the heart's qi deficit needed to drive the heartbeat and hold the spirit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpleen qi strengthening and dampness transformation through Bai Zhu and Fu Ling supporting the spleen's blood production capacity alongside Ren Shen and Huang Qi:\u003c\/strong\u003e Strengthens the spleen qi and transforms dampness through Bai Zhu (white atractylodes, tonifies spleen qi and dries dampness) and Fu Ling (poria, tonifies spleen qi and drains dampness through water metabolism promotion), providing the spleen-specific qi support and dampness-transforming coverage that prevents the formula's heavy tonics from generating dampness accumulation in the middle jiao. Bai Zhu and Fu Ling together represent the classical Two Immortals of spleen tonification in many formulas, and their inclusion in Gui Pi Tang reflects that effective blood production from the spleen requires not only qi tonification through Ren Shen and Huang Qi but also the clearing of any dampness obstruction in the middle jiao that would impair the spleen's transforming and transporting function.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeart blood nourishment and spirit calming through the Suan Zao Ren, Long Yan Rou, and Dang Gui blood-nourishing group addressing the heart blood vacuity root of the spirit disturbance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nourishes the heart blood and calms the spirit through the three-herb blood-nourishing group: Suan Zao Ren (zizyphus seed, nourishes heart blood and liver blood, calms the spirit, addresses the insomnia and restlessness of heart blood vacuity), Long Yan Rou (longan fruit, nourishes heart blood and heart yin, calms the spirit, tonifies the spleen qi with a gentle sweet nature particularly suited to spirit-quieting through heart blood nourishment), and Dang Gui (Chinese angelica root, tonifies and invigorates the blood, provides the moving component to the blood nourishment to prevent the blood-nourishing herbs from generating blood stasis while building the blood). Together, these three herbs provide comprehensive heart blood nourishment that addresses the root cause of the spirit disturbance: the heart spirit (shen) requires adequate heart blood to be anchored and at rest; when heart blood is deficient, the spirit floats and generates the anxiety, palpitations, restlessness, and night disturbance that characterize the heart blood vacuity component of the dual vacuity pattern.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpirit calming and heart orifice-opening through Zhi Yuan Zhi addressing the anxiety, restlessness, and night panting component of the heart spirit disturbance pattern:\u003c\/strong\u003e Calms the spirit, opens the orifices of the heart, and transforms phlegm from the heart through Zhi Yuan Zhi (honey-fried polygala root), the herb with the most direct and potent spirit-calming action in the formula for the anxiety and mental restlessness component of the heart spirit disturbance pattern. Yuan Zhi's unique action of opening the heart orifices and connecting the heart and kidney channels makes it particularly valuable when the spirit disturbance includes a dissociated or floating quality (anxiety without clear cause, restlessness without physical basis, night panting from spirit disturbance rather than respiratory cause), reflecting the classical TCVM understanding that the heart orifices must be open for the spirit to be properly anchored in the heart. The honey-fried processing (zhi) moderates Yuan Zhi's potentially harsh and irritating action on the stomach, which is particularly important in animals with the spleen qi vacuity component of the dual vacuity pattern.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQi movement through the tonifying herbs to prevent stagnation through Mu Xiang's activating and qi-circulating action as the essential counterbalance to the formula's heavy tonic nature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moves the qi and prevents the formula's heavy tonic herbs from generating qi stagnation and dampness accumulation through Mu Xiang (aucklandia root), the critical qi-activating counterbalance herb that ensures the concentrated qi and blood tonification of Ren Shen, Huang Qi, Bai Zhu, Long Yan Rou, and Dang Gui moves freely through the channels rather than accumulating in the middle jiao as stagnation. Without Mu Xiang, the combined tonic weight of the formula's principal herbs would risk creating the qi stagnation and digestive heaviness that frequently complicates heavy tonification formulas in animals with spleen qi vacuity, whose middle jiao transforming function is already insufficient. Mu Xiang's qi-moving action activates the spleen qi's movement and transportation, ensuring the tonification reaches the tissues and organs that need it rather than accumulating in the middle jiao.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTCVM Principles\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrimary action - heart and spleen dual vacuity treatment through the simultaneous spleen qi tonification and heart blood nourishment strategy reflecting the classical TCVM spleen-heart mutual relationship:\u003c\/strong\u003e Addresses the heart and spleen dual vacuity (xin pi liang xu) pattern through the classical TCVM principle that the spleen generates qi and blood from digested food (the post-heaven source of all qi and blood), and that spleen qi vacuity therefore creates downstream deficiency of both the qi and blood that the heart requires: the heart needs qi to drive the heartbeat and hold the spirit in place, and needs blood to anchor and nourish the spirit. When spleen qi vacuity fails to generate adequate qi and blood, the heart becomes qi- and blood-deficient, generating the cardiac and spirit-related signs of the dual vacuity pattern alongside the digestive signs of the spleen qi vacuity root. Gui Pi Tang addresses this spleen-heart relationship by tonifying spleen qi (to restore blood and qi production at the source) while nourishing heart blood and calming the spirit (to address the heart and spirit manifestations of the established blood and qi deficiency). The formula reflects the fundamental TCVM principle of treating both the root (ben, spleen qi vacuity) and the branch (biao, heart blood vacuity and spirit disturbance) in a single coordinated formula.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSecondary action - the Mu Xiang qi-moving counterbalance as the essential formulation strategy for preventing tonic stagnation in a heavy qi and blood tonification formula targeting the spleen-qi-deficient middle jiao:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gui Pi Tang's inclusion of Mu Xiang as the sole qi-moving herb among the formula's ten herbs reflects the classical TCVM formulation challenge of administering heavy tonification to a spleen that is already qi-deficient and therefore insufficiently capable of processing and distributing the tonic load. The classical principle is that heavy tonification without qi movement generates what is called \"tonic stagnation\" (bu er bu tong, tonifying without moving), where the tonic herbs accumulate in the middle jiao rather than being distributed through the channels, worsening the digestive burden on the weakened spleen and potentially generating dampness and qi stagnation as side effects of the very treatment intended to support the spleen. Mu Xiang's inclusion as a single qi-moving counterbalance reflects the precise classical formulation calculation that the formula needs enough qi movement to prevent tonic stagnation without so much moving action that the tonic herbs' effectiveness is dispersed before they can build the qi and blood. This Mu Xiang principle is one of the most instructive examples in the entire classical canon of the classical balance between tonification and movement in formulas treating vacuity patterns.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvailable Forms\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePowder - Canine Blend (for dogs and cats):\u003c\/strong\u003e Available in 75 g, 150 g, 500 g, 900 g, and 1200 g sizes; mix into food at the recommended dose for your pet's weight. Cats and dogs both use this blend.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePowder - Equine\/Horse Blend (for horses only):\u003c\/strong\u003e Available in 150 g, 500 g, 900 g, and 1200 g sizes; mix into grain at the recommended dose for your horse.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuggested Use\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor Dogs (Canine Blend Powder):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnder 30 lbs: ½ tsp twice daily, or as prescribed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e30-80 lbs: 1 tsp twice daily, or as prescribed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e80-120 lbs: 1½ tsp twice daily, or as prescribed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOver 120 lbs: 2 tsp twice daily, or as prescribed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor Cats (Canine Blend Powder):\u003c\/strong\u003e ¼ tsp twice daily, or as prescribed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor Horses (Equine\/Horse Blend, 1,000 lb horse):\u003c\/strong\u003e Two tablespoons twice daily for 20 days, then two tablespoons once daily in grain. If the horse initially refuses, start with a small amount mixed into grain and gradually increase until the horse is accustomed to the taste. Most horses will readily accept the herbs in their grain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIngredients\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eActive Ingredients:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng), Huang Qi (Radix Astragali Membranacei), Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), Fu Ling (Sclerotium Poriae Cocos), Suan Zao Ren (Semen Zizyphi Spinosae), Long Yan Rou (Arillus Euphoriae Longanae), Mu Xiang (Radix Aucklandiae Lappae), Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis), Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Zhi Yuan Zhi (Honey-fried Radix Polygalae Tenuifoliae)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInactive Ingredient:\u003c\/strong\u003e Flaxseed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tcvmpet.com\/pages\/get-an-authorization\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSubmit Your Authorization Request\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tcvmpet.com\/pages\/schedule-a-consultation\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRequest a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eActive Ingredient TCVM Actions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGui Pi Tang is a ten-herb formula organized into four functional groups: a principal qi-tonifying pair (Ren Shen, Huang Qi), a spleen-strengthening support pair (Bai Zhu, Fu Ling), a heart blood-nourishing and spirit-calming group (Suan Zao Ren, Long Yan Rou, Dang Gui, Zhi Yuan Zhi), and a qi-activating and harmonizing pair (Mu Xiang, Zhi Gan Cao):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRen Shen (Radix Ginseng) - Asian Ginseng Root \/ Chinese Ginseng:\u003c\/strong\u003e Strongly tonifies the yuan (source) qi, spleen qi, and heart qi, generates fluids, calms the spirit, and tonifies the lungs; the principal herb of the formula and the most potent qi tonification agent in the classical materia medica, providing comprehensive qi tonification that addresses both the spleen qi vacuity root (failure to generate qi and blood) and the heart qi vacuity branch (insufficient qi to drive the heart and anchor the spirit). Ren Shen's direct heart qi-tonifying and spirit-calming action makes it uniquely suited as the lead herb for the heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern: it addresses both post-heaven qi production failure at the spleen level and heart qi and spirit deficiency at the heart level. Ren Shen contains ginsenosides with well-characterized effects on multiple body systems, including potential interactions with warfarin, MAO inhibitors, and hypoglycemic medications; these interactions require veterinary review before use in animals on these medications.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHuang Qi (Radix Astragali Membranacei) - Astragalus Root \/ Milk Vetch Root:\u003c\/strong\u003e Strongly tonifies the spleen and wei (defensive) qi, consolidates the exterior, lifts the spleen qi, and promotes water metabolism; the second principal qi-tonifying herb and the primary wei qi-consolidating and spleen-lifting herb of the formula, providing the exterior consolidation and spleen qi-lifting action that complements Ren Shen's deep yuan qi tonification with Huang Qi's strong spleen-surface and wei qi-building action. Huang Qi's specific ability to lift the spleen qi (sheng yang, raising the clear yang of the spleen) is particularly important when heart-spleen dual vacuity presents with sinking qi signs such as prolapse, incontinence, or persistent fatigue that does not respond to rest alone. Huang Qi also has immunomodulatory properties that warrant monitoring in animals on immunosuppressive medications.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) - White Atractylodes Rhizome:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tonifies the spleen qi, dries dampness, stabilizes the exterior, and promotes water metabolism; the primary spleen qi-tonifying and dampness-drying complement to Ren Shen and Huang Qi, ensuring the spleen's transforming and transporting function is fully supported and that the formula's heavy tonics do not generate dampness accumulation in the middle jiao. Bai Zhu's drying action is the essential counterpart to the moistening nature of Long Yan Rou and Dang Gui, maintaining the middle jiao's balance between adequate moisture for blood production and freedom from pathological dampness that would obstruct the spleen's function.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFu Ling (Sclerotium Poriae Cocos) - Poria \/ Hoelen \/ Tuckahoe:\u003c\/strong\u003e Strengthens the spleen and stomach, transforms dampness, promotes water metabolism, and quiets the heart spirit; the second spleen-strengthening herb with the additional benefit of a direct spirit-quieting action through its heart-calming properties, providing both spleen support and a gentle secondary spirit-calming contribution alongside Suan Zao Ren, Long Yan Rou, and Zhi Yuan Zhi. Fu Ling's water-promoting action drains the dampness that would otherwise accumulate from the formula's concentrated tonic load, supporting Bai Zhu's dampness-drying action from a different mechanism.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuan Zao Ren (Semen Zizyphi Spinosae) - Sour Jujube Seed \/ Zizyphus Seed:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nourishes the heart blood and liver blood, calms the spirit, generates fluids, and stops sweating from deficiency; the primary spirit-calming through blood nourishment herb of the formula, providing the most targeted heart blood and liver blood-nourishing and spirit-quieting action for the insomnia, restlessness, and night disturbance that characterize heart blood vacuity. Suan Zao Ren's specific affinity for quieting the spirit by nourishing the blood that anchors the shen makes it the ideal lead herb of the blood-nourishing and spirit-calming group for a pattern in which spirit disturbance is rooted in heart blood vacuity rather than fire, phlegm, or other excess factors. Suan Zao Ren has mild sedative properties that may potentiate pharmaceutical sedatives, anxiolytics, and sleep medications; veterinary review is warranted before concurrent use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLong Yan Rou (Arillus Euphoriae Longanae) - Longan Fruit Flesh \/ Dragon Eye Fruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nourishes the heart blood and heart yin, calms the spirit, and tonifies the spleen qi; the gentle sweet blood-nourishing and spirit-quieting herb that gives Gui Pi Tang its particular character among blood-nourishing and spirit-calming formulas: Long Yan Rou's sweet nature nourishes without drying, calms the spirit through heart blood and yin nourishment with a gentleness particularly suited to the anxiety and restlessness of heart blood vacuity in animals, and simultaneously provides mild spleen qi tonification that reinforces Ren Shen, Huang Qi, and Bai Zhu's primary spleen support. Long Yan Rou's inclusion as both a heart blood nourisher and a mild spleen tonic reflects the formula's dual heart-spleen focus: every herb in Gui Pi Tang addresses at least one aspect of the heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern, and Long Yan Rou's cross-organ action exemplifies this dual targeting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMu Xiang (Radix Aucklandiae Lappae) - Aucklandia Root \/ Costus Root \/ Saussurea Root:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moves the qi, activates the spleen qi's movement and transportation, relieves the digestive stagnation and fullness from middle jiao qi accumulation, and prevents the formula's heavy tonics from generating qi stagnation; the essential qi-activating counterbalance of the formula that prevents tonic stagnation and ensures the concentrated tonic load of Ren Shen, Huang Qi, Bai Zhu, Long Yan Rou, and Dang Gui is distributed through the channels rather than accumulating in the middle jiao. Mu Xiang's qi-moving action is particularly important for animals with significant spleen qi vacuity whose middle jiao transforming function is already insufficient to process a heavy tonic load, and for animals presenting with notable digestive stagnation, abdominal fullness, or reduced appetite alongside the heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eZhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis) - Honey-fried Licorice Root:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tonifies the spleen qi, moderates and harmonizes the formula's herbs, moderates the potentially drying action of Bai Zhu and Mu Xiang, and prevents the harsh or strong actions of any individual herb from dominating the formula's overall balanced tonification strategy; the harmonizing herb that holds the formula's ten herbs together as a coordinated therapeutic whole. The honey-fried preparation (zhi) enhances Gan Cao's spleen qi-tonifying and moderating action over the raw form, ensuring meaningful spleen qi support alongside its harmonizing function. At sustained doses, Gan Cao may interact with corticosteroids, diuretics, and antihypertensive medications and warrant veterinary review.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) - Chinese Angelica Root \/ Dong Quai:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tonifies and invigorates the blood, nourishes the liver blood, regulates menstruation, and moistens the intestines; the blood-tonifying and blood-invigorating herb that provides the moving component to the formula's blood nourishment, ensuring the heart blood is being actively generated and moved rather than only passively nourished by Suan Zao Ren and Long Yan Rou. Dang Gui's inclusion as both a blood tonic and a mild blood activator reflects the classical TCVM principle that blood tonification is most effective when the blood is simultaneously nourished and gently moved, preventing the blood tonic herbs from creating blood stagnation as a side effect of heavy blood-building. Dang Gui has mild estrogenic and anticoagulant properties that warrant monitoring in animals on hormonal medications or anticoagulant therapy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eZhi Yuan Zhi (Honey-fried Radix Polygalae Tenuifoliae) - Honey-fried Polygala Root \/ Chinese Senega Root:\u003c\/strong\u003e Calms the spirit, opens the orifices of the heart, transforms phlegm from the heart, connects the heart and kidney channels, and addresses the anxiety and restlessness of heart spirit disturbance from heart blood vacuity; the herb with the most direct and specific spirit-calming and heart orifice-opening action in the formula, providing the focused spirit-settling and heart channel-opening coverage that Suan Zao Ren and Long Yan Rou's gentler blood-nourishing spirit-calming cannot fully address in animals with significant anxiety, night panting, or overt spirit disturbance. Yuan Zhi opens the heart orifices and connects the heart and kidney channels, addressing the dissociated quality of spirit disturbance, where the spirit is not merely deficient in blood nourishment but is actively displaced from its residence in the heart. The honey-fried processing (zhi) moderates Yuan Zhi's potentially harsh and stomach-irritating raw action, which is essential in a formula targeting spleen qi-deficient animals whose stomach qi is already compromised.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePotential Drug Interactions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGui Pi Tang contains Ren Shen (ginseng) with well-characterized interactions with warfarin and other anticoagulant medications (Ren Shen can either potentiate or antagonize anticoagulant effects depending on dose and formulation), MAO inhibitors (Ren Shen may cause manic-like effects in combination), and hypoglycemic medications (Ren Shen's blood glucose-lowering effects may potentiate insulin and oral hypoglycemics). Huang Qi has immunomodulatory properties that warrant monitoring in animals on cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and other immunosuppressive medications. Suan Zao Ren has mild sedative properties that may potentiate pharmaceutical sedatives, anxiolytics, benzodiazepines, phenobarbital, and other CNS depressant medications. Dang Gui has mild estrogenic properties and anticoagulant effects that compound Ren Shen's anticoagulant interaction profile and warrant caution in animals on hormonal medications. Zhi Yuan Zhi contains saponins and has mild sedative and CNS-active properties that may potentiate pharmaceutical sedatives and anxiolytics. Zhi Gan Cao at sustained doses may interact with corticosteroids, diuretics, and antihypertensive medications. The formula is a tonic formula appropriate for the heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern confirmed through tongue, pulse, and clinical assessment; it is not appropriate for excess patterns, fire or heat patterns, or presentations with significant dampness accumulation where the formula's blood-nourishing herbs would worsen the dampness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedication categories warranting extra caution include anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications (Ren Shen and Dang Gui), MAO inhibitors and psychoactive medications (Ren Shen, Suan Zao Ren, Zhi Yuan Zhi), hypoglycemic medications and insulin (Ren Shen), immunosuppressive medications (Huang Qi's immunomodulatory effects), pharmaceutical sedatives, anxiolytics, and anticonvulsants (Suan Zao Ren and Zhi Yuan Zhi's sedative properties), hormonal medications (Dang Gui's estrogenic properties), and corticosteroids and antihypertensives (Zhi Gan Cao at sustained doses). Your authorizing veterinarian will determine appropriateness based on your animal's condition, current medications, and confirmation of the heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern through tongue quality, pulse character, and clinical assessment of the qi vacuity, blood vacuity, and spirit disturbance presentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tcvmpet.com\/pages\/get-an-authorization\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSubmit Your Authorization Request\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tcvmpet.com\/pages\/schedule-a-consultation\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRequest a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat conditions is Gui Pi Tang used for in TCVM?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Gui Pi Tang is indicated for the heart and spleen dual vacuity (xin pi liang xu) pattern, where spleen qi vacuity fails to generate adequate qi and blood, creating downstream heart qi and blood deficiency that disturbs the heart spirit. The presenting signs span two organ systems: the spleen qi vacuity generates fatigue and reduced stamina, poor appetite and digestion, and loose stools; the heart qi and blood vacuity generates heart palpitations and irregular heartbeat from insufficient blood and qi to nourish and drive the heart; and the heart spirit disturbance from heart blood vacuity generates anxiety, restlessness, night panting (particularly in dogs), and disturbed sleep. Your authorizing veterinarian will confirm the heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern through tongue assessment (pale tongue with thin coating reflecting qi and blood vacuity), pulse character (thin, weak, possibly rapid pulse reflecting blood vacuity and spirit disturbance), and differentiation from patterns that require different formulas: spleen qi vacuity without heart involvement (Si Jun Zi Tang), heart blood vacuity without spleen involvement (Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan), yin vacuity heat generating spirit disturbance (Suan Zao Ren Tang), or anxiety from liver qi stagnation constraining the heart (different approach entirely).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow is Gui Pi Tang administered to dogs, cats, and horses?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMix the powder directly into food or grain at the dose recommended for your animal's species and body weight. Dogs and cats use the Canine Blend; horses use the Equine\/Horse Blend. Dogs and cats receive the formula twice daily; horses receive two tablespoons twice daily for the first 20 days, then once daily for maintenance. Because Gui Pi Tang contains Ren Shen with anticoagulant, MAO inhibitor, and hypoglycemic drug interaction potential, and Suan Zao Ren and Zhi Yuan Zhi with sedative-potentiating properties, your authorizing veterinarian must review all current medications before beginning use. Gui Pi Tang is a constitutional tonification formula intended for sustained use over weeks to months; the heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern is chronic and requires consistent tonification over a full treatment course to fully restore the spleen's blood production capacity and the heart's blood and qi sufficiency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow long does it take to see results with Gui Pi Tang?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a constitutional qi and blood tonification formula addressing a chronic heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern, Gui Pi Tang requires a sustained treatment course to produce full therapeutic results. Early improvement in the spirit disturbance signs (reduced anxiety, less night panting, improved sleep quality) is often seen within 2 to 4 weeks as the blood-nourishing and spirit-calming herbs (Suan Zao Ren, Long Yan Rou, Zhi Yuan Zhi) begin to nourish the heart blood and calm the spirit. Meaningful improvement in spleen qi vacuity signs (improved digestion, better appetite, improved stamina and energy) typically requires 6 to 12 weeks of consistent use, as qi tonification gradually restores the spleen's blood-production capacity. Full resolution of the heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern, including normalization of the pale tongue to a pink tongue with more substance and return of the thin weak pulse to a fuller quality, typically requires 3 to 6 months of sustained use. Your authorizing veterinarian will monitor tongue and pulse quality, energy and digestion, and spirit-related signs throughout the treatment course to confirm the pattern is resolving and adjust the formula as the qi and blood are progressively restored.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy do dogs with the heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern pant at night, and how does Gui Pi Tang address this?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, night panting in dogs is one of the most recognized clinical signs of heart blood vacuity with spirit disturbance, and its nocturnal character has a specific TCVM explanation. The heart spirit (shen) is anchored in the heart by the heart blood during the day; at night, when the yin is dominant and the yang qi retreats inward, the spirit should settle into the heart blood and rest. When heart blood is deficient, the spirit lacks the blood substrate needed to anchor it during the night's yin phase, and it becomes agitated and floats upward, generating the panting, restlessness, and inability to settle that owners recognize as night panting. The pattern is typically worse in the second half of the night (after midnight, when yin turns toward yang) and is often accompanied by the dog seeking human contact or pacing, reflecting the displaced spirit seeking grounding that deficient heart blood cannot provide. Gui Pi Tang addresses night panting by tonifying the spleen qi to restore blood production at the source, nourishing the heart blood through Suan Zao Ren, Long Yan Rou, and Dang Gui to rebuild the substrate the spirit requires for nighttime anchoring, and calming the spirit directly through Zhi Yuan Zhi's heart orifice-opening and spirit-settling action. As heart blood is progressively restored over the course of treatment, the spirit's nighttime anchoring capacity is rebuilt, and the night panting gradually resolves.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2022-05-20T18:02:07-05:00","created_at":"2022-04-29T08:20:41-05:00","vendor":"Herbsmith Rx","type":"Pet Vitamins \u0026 Supplements","tags":["Herb_Type_Powder","Product_Type_Herb","Species_Cat","Species_Dog","Species_Horse","Vendor_Herbsmith_Rx"],"price":7000,"price_min":7000,"price_max":22200,"available":true,"price_varies":true,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":40021370175558,"title":"Powder - Canine Blend \/ 75 g Powder","option1":"Powder - Canine Blend","option2":"75 g Powder","option3":null,"sku":"HBGP-75","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Herbsmith Rx Gui Pi Tang for Cats, Dogs and Horses - Powder - Canine Blend \/ 75 g Powder","public_title":"Powder - 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TCVM Pet Supply\" style=\"margin: 5px 5px 5px 5px; float: right;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHerbsmith Rx Gui Pi Tang is a classical Chinese herbal formula recommended by holistic veterinarians to augment the qi, tonify the blood, strengthen the spleen, and nourish the heart in dogs, cats, and horses. Also known as Restore the Spleen Powder, Ginseng and Longan Combination, Gather Vitality, and Return the Spleen Formula, this ten-herb formula from Yan Yonghe's Ji Sheng Fang (Formulas for Saving Lives, Song dynasty, 1253 CE) addresses the dual vacuity of the heart and spleen pattern through a coordinated strategy of spleen qi tonification, heart blood nourishment, and spirit calming. The formula's dual-organ focus reflects the classical TCVM understanding that the spleen is the source of qi and blood production (the post-heaven foundation of all qi and blood), and that when spleen qi vacuity fails to generate adequate qi and blood, the heart, which requires blood to nourish the spirit (shen) and qi to drive the heartbeat, becomes blood-deficient and qi-deficient simultaneously. The result is the characteristic heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern: spleen qi vacuity generates the fatigue, poor digestion, and reduced appetite from inadequate qi production; heart blood and qi vacuity generates the heart palpitations from inadequate blood and qi to nourish and drive the heart; and heart spirit disturbance from heart blood vacuity generates the anxiety, restlessness, night panting, and disturbed sleep that are the most distressing presenting signs for the pet and owner. Well suited for dogs, cats, and horses presenting with the heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern, characterized by fatigue and reduced stamina, reduced appetite and loose stools or poor digestion from spleen qi vacuity, heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat from heart qi and blood vacuity, anxiety, restlessness, and night panting from heart spirit disturbance, a pale tongue with a thin white coating reflecting the qi and blood vacuity, and a thin weak pulse reflecting the blood and qi insufficiency. Available as a concentrated powder mixed into food; cats and dogs use the Canine Blend, while horses use the Equine\/Horse Blend. Dosing varies by species and body weight, and your authorizing veterinarian will provide specific guidance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tcvmpet.com\/pages\/get-an-authorization\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSubmit Your Authorization Request\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tcvmpet.com\/pages\/schedule-a-consultation\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRequest a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat It Supports\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpleen qi and heart qi tonification through the Ren Shen and Huang Qi principal pair, providing the foundational qi from which all blood production and spirit nourishment depend:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tonifies the spleen qi and heart qi through the classical Ren Shen (ginseng) and Huang Qi (astragalus) paired combination, the most potent qi-tonifying herb pair in the classical materia medica and the foundational qi-building layer from which Gui Pi Tang's blood nourishment and spirit-calming actions derive their effectiveness. Ren Shen strongly tonifies the yuan (source) qi, spleen qi, and heart qi, and calms the spirit through its direct heart-tonifying and spirit-quieting action; Huang Qi strongly tonifies the spleen and wei (defensive) qi, consolidates the exterior, and prevents the heart qi from leaking outward through the open pores during the anxiety and sweating that can accompany heart qi vacuity. Together, Ren Shen and Huang Qi provide comprehensive qi tonification that addresses the spleen's failure to generate adequate qi from digested food (the post-heaven qi production compromised by spleen qi vacuity) and the heart's qi deficit needed to drive the heartbeat and hold the spirit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpleen qi strengthening and dampness transformation through Bai Zhu and Fu Ling supporting the spleen's blood production capacity alongside Ren Shen and Huang Qi:\u003c\/strong\u003e Strengthens the spleen qi and transforms dampness through Bai Zhu (white atractylodes, tonifies spleen qi and dries dampness) and Fu Ling (poria, tonifies spleen qi and drains dampness through water metabolism promotion), providing the spleen-specific qi support and dampness-transforming coverage that prevents the formula's heavy tonics from generating dampness accumulation in the middle jiao. Bai Zhu and Fu Ling together represent the classical Two Immortals of spleen tonification in many formulas, and their inclusion in Gui Pi Tang reflects that effective blood production from the spleen requires not only qi tonification through Ren Shen and Huang Qi but also the clearing of any dampness obstruction in the middle jiao that would impair the spleen's transforming and transporting function.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeart blood nourishment and spirit calming through the Suan Zao Ren, Long Yan Rou, and Dang Gui blood-nourishing group addressing the heart blood vacuity root of the spirit disturbance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nourishes the heart blood and calms the spirit through the three-herb blood-nourishing group: Suan Zao Ren (zizyphus seed, nourishes heart blood and liver blood, calms the spirit, addresses the insomnia and restlessness of heart blood vacuity), Long Yan Rou (longan fruit, nourishes heart blood and heart yin, calms the spirit, tonifies the spleen qi with a gentle sweet nature particularly suited to spirit-quieting through heart blood nourishment), and Dang Gui (Chinese angelica root, tonifies and invigorates the blood, provides the moving component to the blood nourishment to prevent the blood-nourishing herbs from generating blood stasis while building the blood). Together, these three herbs provide comprehensive heart blood nourishment that addresses the root cause of the spirit disturbance: the heart spirit (shen) requires adequate heart blood to be anchored and at rest; when heart blood is deficient, the spirit floats and generates the anxiety, palpitations, restlessness, and night disturbance that characterize the heart blood vacuity component of the dual vacuity pattern.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpirit calming and heart orifice-opening through Zhi Yuan Zhi addressing the anxiety, restlessness, and night panting component of the heart spirit disturbance pattern:\u003c\/strong\u003e Calms the spirit, opens the orifices of the heart, and transforms phlegm from the heart through Zhi Yuan Zhi (honey-fried polygala root), the herb with the most direct and potent spirit-calming action in the formula for the anxiety and mental restlessness component of the heart spirit disturbance pattern. Yuan Zhi's unique action of opening the heart orifices and connecting the heart and kidney channels makes it particularly valuable when the spirit disturbance includes a dissociated or floating quality (anxiety without clear cause, restlessness without physical basis, night panting from spirit disturbance rather than respiratory cause), reflecting the classical TCVM understanding that the heart orifices must be open for the spirit to be properly anchored in the heart. The honey-fried processing (zhi) moderates Yuan Zhi's potentially harsh and irritating action on the stomach, which is particularly important in animals with the spleen qi vacuity component of the dual vacuity pattern.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQi movement through the tonifying herbs to prevent stagnation through Mu Xiang's activating and qi-circulating action as the essential counterbalance to the formula's heavy tonic nature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moves the qi and prevents the formula's heavy tonic herbs from generating qi stagnation and dampness accumulation through Mu Xiang (aucklandia root), the critical qi-activating counterbalance herb that ensures the concentrated qi and blood tonification of Ren Shen, Huang Qi, Bai Zhu, Long Yan Rou, and Dang Gui moves freely through the channels rather than accumulating in the middle jiao as stagnation. Without Mu Xiang, the combined tonic weight of the formula's principal herbs would risk creating the qi stagnation and digestive heaviness that frequently complicates heavy tonification formulas in animals with spleen qi vacuity, whose middle jiao transforming function is already insufficient. Mu Xiang's qi-moving action activates the spleen qi's movement and transportation, ensuring the tonification reaches the tissues and organs that need it rather than accumulating in the middle jiao.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTCVM Principles\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrimary action - heart and spleen dual vacuity treatment through the simultaneous spleen qi tonification and heart blood nourishment strategy reflecting the classical TCVM spleen-heart mutual relationship:\u003c\/strong\u003e Addresses the heart and spleen dual vacuity (xin pi liang xu) pattern through the classical TCVM principle that the spleen generates qi and blood from digested food (the post-heaven source of all qi and blood), and that spleen qi vacuity therefore creates downstream deficiency of both the qi and blood that the heart requires: the heart needs qi to drive the heartbeat and hold the spirit in place, and needs blood to anchor and nourish the spirit. When spleen qi vacuity fails to generate adequate qi and blood, the heart becomes qi- and blood-deficient, generating the cardiac and spirit-related signs of the dual vacuity pattern alongside the digestive signs of the spleen qi vacuity root. Gui Pi Tang addresses this spleen-heart relationship by tonifying spleen qi (to restore blood and qi production at the source) while nourishing heart blood and calming the spirit (to address the heart and spirit manifestations of the established blood and qi deficiency). The formula reflects the fundamental TCVM principle of treating both the root (ben, spleen qi vacuity) and the branch (biao, heart blood vacuity and spirit disturbance) in a single coordinated formula.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSecondary action - the Mu Xiang qi-moving counterbalance as the essential formulation strategy for preventing tonic stagnation in a heavy qi and blood tonification formula targeting the spleen-qi-deficient middle jiao:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gui Pi Tang's inclusion of Mu Xiang as the sole qi-moving herb among the formula's ten herbs reflects the classical TCVM formulation challenge of administering heavy tonification to a spleen that is already qi-deficient and therefore insufficiently capable of processing and distributing the tonic load. The classical principle is that heavy tonification without qi movement generates what is called \"tonic stagnation\" (bu er bu tong, tonifying without moving), where the tonic herbs accumulate in the middle jiao rather than being distributed through the channels, worsening the digestive burden on the weakened spleen and potentially generating dampness and qi stagnation as side effects of the very treatment intended to support the spleen. Mu Xiang's inclusion as a single qi-moving counterbalance reflects the precise classical formulation calculation that the formula needs enough qi movement to prevent tonic stagnation without so much moving action that the tonic herbs' effectiveness is dispersed before they can build the qi and blood. This Mu Xiang principle is one of the most instructive examples in the entire classical canon of the classical balance between tonification and movement in formulas treating vacuity patterns.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvailable Forms\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePowder - Canine Blend (for dogs and cats):\u003c\/strong\u003e Available in 75 g, 150 g, 500 g, 900 g, and 1200 g sizes; mix into food at the recommended dose for your pet's weight. Cats and dogs both use this blend.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePowder - Equine\/Horse Blend (for horses only):\u003c\/strong\u003e Available in 150 g, 500 g, 900 g, and 1200 g sizes; mix into grain at the recommended dose for your horse.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuggested Use\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor Dogs (Canine Blend Powder):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnder 30 lbs: ½ tsp twice daily, or as prescribed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e30-80 lbs: 1 tsp twice daily, or as prescribed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e80-120 lbs: 1½ tsp twice daily, or as prescribed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOver 120 lbs: 2 tsp twice daily, or as prescribed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor Cats (Canine Blend Powder):\u003c\/strong\u003e ¼ tsp twice daily, or as prescribed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor Horses (Equine\/Horse Blend, 1,000 lb horse):\u003c\/strong\u003e Two tablespoons twice daily for 20 days, then two tablespoons once daily in grain. If the horse initially refuses, start with a small amount mixed into grain and gradually increase until the horse is accustomed to the taste. Most horses will readily accept the herbs in their grain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIngredients\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eActive Ingredients:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng), Huang Qi (Radix Astragali Membranacei), Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), Fu Ling (Sclerotium Poriae Cocos), Suan Zao Ren (Semen Zizyphi Spinosae), Long Yan Rou (Arillus Euphoriae Longanae), Mu Xiang (Radix Aucklandiae Lappae), Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis), Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Zhi Yuan Zhi (Honey-fried Radix Polygalae Tenuifoliae)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInactive Ingredient:\u003c\/strong\u003e Flaxseed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tcvmpet.com\/pages\/get-an-authorization\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSubmit Your Authorization Request\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tcvmpet.com\/pages\/schedule-a-consultation\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRequest a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eActive Ingredient TCVM Actions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGui Pi Tang is a ten-herb formula organized into four functional groups: a principal qi-tonifying pair (Ren Shen, Huang Qi), a spleen-strengthening support pair (Bai Zhu, Fu Ling), a heart blood-nourishing and spirit-calming group (Suan Zao Ren, Long Yan Rou, Dang Gui, Zhi Yuan Zhi), and a qi-activating and harmonizing pair (Mu Xiang, Zhi Gan Cao):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRen Shen (Radix Ginseng) - Asian Ginseng Root \/ Chinese Ginseng:\u003c\/strong\u003e Strongly tonifies the yuan (source) qi, spleen qi, and heart qi, generates fluids, calms the spirit, and tonifies the lungs; the principal herb of the formula and the most potent qi tonification agent in the classical materia medica, providing comprehensive qi tonification that addresses both the spleen qi vacuity root (failure to generate qi and blood) and the heart qi vacuity branch (insufficient qi to drive the heart and anchor the spirit). Ren Shen's direct heart qi-tonifying and spirit-calming action makes it uniquely suited as the lead herb for the heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern: it addresses both post-heaven qi production failure at the spleen level and heart qi and spirit deficiency at the heart level. Ren Shen contains ginsenosides with well-characterized effects on multiple body systems, including potential interactions with warfarin, MAO inhibitors, and hypoglycemic medications; these interactions require veterinary review before use in animals on these medications.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHuang Qi (Radix Astragali Membranacei) - Astragalus Root \/ Milk Vetch Root:\u003c\/strong\u003e Strongly tonifies the spleen and wei (defensive) qi, consolidates the exterior, lifts the spleen qi, and promotes water metabolism; the second principal qi-tonifying herb and the primary wei qi-consolidating and spleen-lifting herb of the formula, providing the exterior consolidation and spleen qi-lifting action that complements Ren Shen's deep yuan qi tonification with Huang Qi's strong spleen-surface and wei qi-building action. Huang Qi's specific ability to lift the spleen qi (sheng yang, raising the clear yang of the spleen) is particularly important when heart-spleen dual vacuity presents with sinking qi signs such as prolapse, incontinence, or persistent fatigue that does not respond to rest alone. Huang Qi also has immunomodulatory properties that warrant monitoring in animals on immunosuppressive medications.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) - White Atractylodes Rhizome:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tonifies the spleen qi, dries dampness, stabilizes the exterior, and promotes water metabolism; the primary spleen qi-tonifying and dampness-drying complement to Ren Shen and Huang Qi, ensuring the spleen's transforming and transporting function is fully supported and that the formula's heavy tonics do not generate dampness accumulation in the middle jiao. Bai Zhu's drying action is the essential counterpart to the moistening nature of Long Yan Rou and Dang Gui, maintaining the middle jiao's balance between adequate moisture for blood production and freedom from pathological dampness that would obstruct the spleen's function.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFu Ling (Sclerotium Poriae Cocos) - Poria \/ Hoelen \/ Tuckahoe:\u003c\/strong\u003e Strengthens the spleen and stomach, transforms dampness, promotes water metabolism, and quiets the heart spirit; the second spleen-strengthening herb with the additional benefit of a direct spirit-quieting action through its heart-calming properties, providing both spleen support and a gentle secondary spirit-calming contribution alongside Suan Zao Ren, Long Yan Rou, and Zhi Yuan Zhi. Fu Ling's water-promoting action drains the dampness that would otherwise accumulate from the formula's concentrated tonic load, supporting Bai Zhu's dampness-drying action from a different mechanism.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuan Zao Ren (Semen Zizyphi Spinosae) - Sour Jujube Seed \/ Zizyphus Seed:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nourishes the heart blood and liver blood, calms the spirit, generates fluids, and stops sweating from deficiency; the primary spirit-calming through blood nourishment herb of the formula, providing the most targeted heart blood and liver blood-nourishing and spirit-quieting action for the insomnia, restlessness, and night disturbance that characterize heart blood vacuity. Suan Zao Ren's specific affinity for quieting the spirit by nourishing the blood that anchors the shen makes it the ideal lead herb of the blood-nourishing and spirit-calming group for a pattern in which spirit disturbance is rooted in heart blood vacuity rather than fire, phlegm, or other excess factors. Suan Zao Ren has mild sedative properties that may potentiate pharmaceutical sedatives, anxiolytics, and sleep medications; veterinary review is warranted before concurrent use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLong Yan Rou (Arillus Euphoriae Longanae) - Longan Fruit Flesh \/ Dragon Eye Fruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nourishes the heart blood and heart yin, calms the spirit, and tonifies the spleen qi; the gentle sweet blood-nourishing and spirit-quieting herb that gives Gui Pi Tang its particular character among blood-nourishing and spirit-calming formulas: Long Yan Rou's sweet nature nourishes without drying, calms the spirit through heart blood and yin nourishment with a gentleness particularly suited to the anxiety and restlessness of heart blood vacuity in animals, and simultaneously provides mild spleen qi tonification that reinforces Ren Shen, Huang Qi, and Bai Zhu's primary spleen support. Long Yan Rou's inclusion as both a heart blood nourisher and a mild spleen tonic reflects the formula's dual heart-spleen focus: every herb in Gui Pi Tang addresses at least one aspect of the heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern, and Long Yan Rou's cross-organ action exemplifies this dual targeting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMu Xiang (Radix Aucklandiae Lappae) - Aucklandia Root \/ Costus Root \/ Saussurea Root:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moves the qi, activates the spleen qi's movement and transportation, relieves the digestive stagnation and fullness from middle jiao qi accumulation, and prevents the formula's heavy tonics from generating qi stagnation; the essential qi-activating counterbalance of the formula that prevents tonic stagnation and ensures the concentrated tonic load of Ren Shen, Huang Qi, Bai Zhu, Long Yan Rou, and Dang Gui is distributed through the channels rather than accumulating in the middle jiao. Mu Xiang's qi-moving action is particularly important for animals with significant spleen qi vacuity whose middle jiao transforming function is already insufficient to process a heavy tonic load, and for animals presenting with notable digestive stagnation, abdominal fullness, or reduced appetite alongside the heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eZhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis) - Honey-fried Licorice Root:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tonifies the spleen qi, moderates and harmonizes the formula's herbs, moderates the potentially drying action of Bai Zhu and Mu Xiang, and prevents the harsh or strong actions of any individual herb from dominating the formula's overall balanced tonification strategy; the harmonizing herb that holds the formula's ten herbs together as a coordinated therapeutic whole. The honey-fried preparation (zhi) enhances Gan Cao's spleen qi-tonifying and moderating action over the raw form, ensuring meaningful spleen qi support alongside its harmonizing function. At sustained doses, Gan Cao may interact with corticosteroids, diuretics, and antihypertensive medications and warrant veterinary review.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) - Chinese Angelica Root \/ Dong Quai:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tonifies and invigorates the blood, nourishes the liver blood, regulates menstruation, and moistens the intestines; the blood-tonifying and blood-invigorating herb that provides the moving component to the formula's blood nourishment, ensuring the heart blood is being actively generated and moved rather than only passively nourished by Suan Zao Ren and Long Yan Rou. Dang Gui's inclusion as both a blood tonic and a mild blood activator reflects the classical TCVM principle that blood tonification is most effective when the blood is simultaneously nourished and gently moved, preventing the blood tonic herbs from creating blood stagnation as a side effect of heavy blood-building. Dang Gui has mild estrogenic and anticoagulant properties that warrant monitoring in animals on hormonal medications or anticoagulant therapy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eZhi Yuan Zhi (Honey-fried Radix Polygalae Tenuifoliae) - Honey-fried Polygala Root \/ Chinese Senega Root:\u003c\/strong\u003e Calms the spirit, opens the orifices of the heart, transforms phlegm from the heart, connects the heart and kidney channels, and addresses the anxiety and restlessness of heart spirit disturbance from heart blood vacuity; the herb with the most direct and specific spirit-calming and heart orifice-opening action in the formula, providing the focused spirit-settling and heart channel-opening coverage that Suan Zao Ren and Long Yan Rou's gentler blood-nourishing spirit-calming cannot fully address in animals with significant anxiety, night panting, or overt spirit disturbance. Yuan Zhi opens the heart orifices and connects the heart and kidney channels, addressing the dissociated quality of spirit disturbance, where the spirit is not merely deficient in blood nourishment but is actively displaced from its residence in the heart. The honey-fried processing (zhi) moderates Yuan Zhi's potentially harsh and stomach-irritating raw action, which is essential in a formula targeting spleen qi-deficient animals whose stomach qi is already compromised.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePotential Drug Interactions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGui Pi Tang contains Ren Shen (ginseng) with well-characterized interactions with warfarin and other anticoagulant medications (Ren Shen can either potentiate or antagonize anticoagulant effects depending on dose and formulation), MAO inhibitors (Ren Shen may cause manic-like effects in combination), and hypoglycemic medications (Ren Shen's blood glucose-lowering effects may potentiate insulin and oral hypoglycemics). Huang Qi has immunomodulatory properties that warrant monitoring in animals on cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and other immunosuppressive medications. Suan Zao Ren has mild sedative properties that may potentiate pharmaceutical sedatives, anxiolytics, benzodiazepines, phenobarbital, and other CNS depressant medications. Dang Gui has mild estrogenic properties and anticoagulant effects that compound Ren Shen's anticoagulant interaction profile and warrant caution in animals on hormonal medications. Zhi Yuan Zhi contains saponins and has mild sedative and CNS-active properties that may potentiate pharmaceutical sedatives and anxiolytics. Zhi Gan Cao at sustained doses may interact with corticosteroids, diuretics, and antihypertensive medications. The formula is a tonic formula appropriate for the heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern confirmed through tongue, pulse, and clinical assessment; it is not appropriate for excess patterns, fire or heat patterns, or presentations with significant dampness accumulation where the formula's blood-nourishing herbs would worsen the dampness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedication categories warranting extra caution include anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications (Ren Shen and Dang Gui), MAO inhibitors and psychoactive medications (Ren Shen, Suan Zao Ren, Zhi Yuan Zhi), hypoglycemic medications and insulin (Ren Shen), immunosuppressive medications (Huang Qi's immunomodulatory effects), pharmaceutical sedatives, anxiolytics, and anticonvulsants (Suan Zao Ren and Zhi Yuan Zhi's sedative properties), hormonal medications (Dang Gui's estrogenic properties), and corticosteroids and antihypertensives (Zhi Gan Cao at sustained doses). Your authorizing veterinarian will determine appropriateness based on your animal's condition, current medications, and confirmation of the heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern through tongue quality, pulse character, and clinical assessment of the qi vacuity, blood vacuity, and spirit disturbance presentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tcvmpet.com\/pages\/get-an-authorization\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSubmit Your Authorization Request\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tcvmpet.com\/pages\/schedule-a-consultation\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRequest a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat conditions is Gui Pi Tang used for in TCVM?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Gui Pi Tang is indicated for the heart and spleen dual vacuity (xin pi liang xu) pattern, where spleen qi vacuity fails to generate adequate qi and blood, creating downstream heart qi and blood deficiency that disturbs the heart spirit. The presenting signs span two organ systems: the spleen qi vacuity generates fatigue and reduced stamina, poor appetite and digestion, and loose stools; the heart qi and blood vacuity generates heart palpitations and irregular heartbeat from insufficient blood and qi to nourish and drive the heart; and the heart spirit disturbance from heart blood vacuity generates anxiety, restlessness, night panting (particularly in dogs), and disturbed sleep. Your authorizing veterinarian will confirm the heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern through tongue assessment (pale tongue with thin coating reflecting qi and blood vacuity), pulse character (thin, weak, possibly rapid pulse reflecting blood vacuity and spirit disturbance), and differentiation from patterns that require different formulas: spleen qi vacuity without heart involvement (Si Jun Zi Tang), heart blood vacuity without spleen involvement (Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan), yin vacuity heat generating spirit disturbance (Suan Zao Ren Tang), or anxiety from liver qi stagnation constraining the heart (different approach entirely).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow is Gui Pi Tang administered to dogs, cats, and horses?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMix the powder directly into food or grain at the dose recommended for your animal's species and body weight. Dogs and cats use the Canine Blend; horses use the Equine\/Horse Blend. Dogs and cats receive the formula twice daily; horses receive two tablespoons twice daily for the first 20 days, then once daily for maintenance. Because Gui Pi Tang contains Ren Shen with anticoagulant, MAO inhibitor, and hypoglycemic drug interaction potential, and Suan Zao Ren and Zhi Yuan Zhi with sedative-potentiating properties, your authorizing veterinarian must review all current medications before beginning use. Gui Pi Tang is a constitutional tonification formula intended for sustained use over weeks to months; the heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern is chronic and requires consistent tonification over a full treatment course to fully restore the spleen's blood production capacity and the heart's blood and qi sufficiency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow long does it take to see results with Gui Pi Tang?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a constitutional qi and blood tonification formula addressing a chronic heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern, Gui Pi Tang requires a sustained treatment course to produce full therapeutic results. Early improvement in the spirit disturbance signs (reduced anxiety, less night panting, improved sleep quality) is often seen within 2 to 4 weeks as the blood-nourishing and spirit-calming herbs (Suan Zao Ren, Long Yan Rou, Zhi Yuan Zhi) begin to nourish the heart blood and calm the spirit. Meaningful improvement in spleen qi vacuity signs (improved digestion, better appetite, improved stamina and energy) typically requires 6 to 12 weeks of consistent use, as qi tonification gradually restores the spleen's blood-production capacity. Full resolution of the heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern, including normalization of the pale tongue to a pink tongue with more substance and return of the thin weak pulse to a fuller quality, typically requires 3 to 6 months of sustained use. Your authorizing veterinarian will monitor tongue and pulse quality, energy and digestion, and spirit-related signs throughout the treatment course to confirm the pattern is resolving and adjust the formula as the qi and blood are progressively restored.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy do dogs with the heart-spleen dual vacuity pattern pant at night, and how does Gui Pi Tang address this?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, night panting in dogs is one of the most recognized clinical signs of heart blood vacuity with spirit disturbance, and its nocturnal character has a specific TCVM explanation. The heart spirit (shen) is anchored in the heart by the heart blood during the day; at night, when the yin is dominant and the yang qi retreats inward, the spirit should settle into the heart blood and rest. When heart blood is deficient, the spirit lacks the blood substrate needed to anchor it during the night's yin phase, and it becomes agitated and floats upward, generating the panting, restlessness, and inability to settle that owners recognize as night panting. The pattern is typically worse in the second half of the night (after midnight, when yin turns toward yang) and is often accompanied by the dog seeking human contact or pacing, reflecting the displaced spirit seeking grounding that deficient heart blood cannot provide. Gui Pi Tang addresses night panting by tonifying the spleen qi to restore blood production at the source, nourishing the heart blood through Suan Zao Ren, Long Yan Rou, and Dang Gui to rebuild the substrate the spirit requires for nighttime anchoring, and calming the spirit directly through Zhi Yuan Zhi's heart orifice-opening and spirit-settling action. As heart blood is progressively restored over the course of treatment, the spirit's nighttime anchoring capacity is rebuilt, and the night panting gradually resolves.\u003c\/p\u003e"}