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Recommended by holistic veterinarians, Herbsmith Rx Liu Jun Zi San supports digestive function and traditional Phlegm-Dampness balance in dogs, cats, and horses. Its six listed ingredients combine Spleen Qi nourishment with Dampness transformation, Qi regulation, and Stomach harmonization for a veterinarian-confirmed Spleen Qi deficiency pattern with Phlegm-Dampness. This approach may be selected when reduced appetite and digestive weakness occur alongside appropriate Phlegm signs, including respiratory signs assessed by the veterinarian. Available as 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; your authorizing veterinarian will provide specific guidance.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
What It Supports
- Digestive nourishment: Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, and Zhi Gan Cao contribute the traditional Spleen Qi-supporting foundation for digestive weakness and reduced appetite in the appropriate pattern.
- Phlegm-Dampness transformation: Ban Xia and Chen Pi complement the nourishing ingredients with traditional drying, transformation, and Qi movement.
- Stomach harmony: Ban Xia and Chen Pi traditionally descend rebellious Stomach Qi and support digestive comfort. Persistent nausea or vomiting needs clinical evaluation rather than waiting for the formula to act.
- Pattern-specific respiratory support: The existing formula description includes cough with thin white secretions in a Phlegm-Dampness pattern. Veterinary assessment is needed to distinguish airway disease, infection, heart disease, and other causes of cough.
TCVM Principles
- Primary action: Strengthen Spleen Qi, dry Dampness, transform Phlegm, regulate Qi, and harmonize the Stomach.
- Classical framework: The listed six-ingredient structure is the Si Jun Zi Tang foundation of Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, and Zhi Gan Cao with Ban Xia and Chen Pi added. It shares core Phlegm-transforming ingredients with Er Chen San; Er Chen San is not simply a two-herb formula.
- Pattern differentiation: Spleen Qi deficiency with Phlegm-Dampness is assessed from the complete presentation, including appetite, digestion, energy, tongue, pulse, and clinical diagnosis. Spleen here is a traditional functional term, not proof of anatomical spleen disease.
- Contraindications and cautions: The existing listing excludes predominant Heat, Yin-deficiency dryness, and excess patterns without the accompanying deficiency and Phlegm signs. Review pregnancy or nursing, hydration, cardiovascular or kidney conditions, electrolyte concerns, and all medications before starting.
- Urgent signs: Repeated vomiting, inability to retain water, blood in vomit or stool, marked weakness, or abdominal distension needs prompt care. A dog's swollen abdomen with unproductive retching is an emergency. Horses cannot normally vomit; colic signs, reduced manure, distension, or diarrhea require prompt assessment. Labored breathing, blue-gray gums, collapse, or a cat breathing with its mouth open requires emergency care. Do not force food or herbs during suspected obstruction or respiratory distress.
Available Forms
- Powder - Canine Blend (dogs and cats): Listed in 75 g, 150 g, 500 g, 900 g, and 1200 g sizes; mix into food using species- and weight-specific directions.
- Powder - Equine/Horse Blend: Listed in 150 g, 500 g, 900 g, and 1200 g sizes; mix into grain when your veterinarian advises oral administration. Do not substitute another manufacturer's preparation by volume alone.
Suggested Use
- Canine Blend Powder - Dogs under 30 lbs: ½ tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian.
- Canine Blend Powder - Dogs 30-80 lbs: 1 tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian.
- Canine Blend Powder - Dogs 80-120 lbs: 1½ tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian.
- Canine Blend Powder - Dogs over 120 lbs: 2 tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian.
- Canine Blend Powder - Cats: ¼ tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian.
- Equine/Horse Blend - 1,000 lb horse, initial dose: Two tablespoons twice daily in grain, or as directed by your veterinarian. Continue the initial schedule for 20 days, or as directed by your veterinarian.
- Equine/Horse Blend - 1,000 lb horse, subsequent dose: After the initial period, two tablespoons once daily in grain, or as directed by your veterinarian.
Mix the Canine Blend into food. If a horse initially refuses the Equine/Horse Blend, introduce a small amount in grain and gradually increase until accustomed to the taste, or as directed by your veterinarian. Confirm the dog dose at the overlapping 80 lb boundary. Numeric doses and the horse schedule are preserved from the existing listing, not independently manufacturer-verified. Continue only for the prescribed duration, or as directed by your veterinarian. The subsequent schedule is not a blanket recommendation for indefinite use. Veterinary authorization is required. Stop administration and contact your veterinarian for suspected adverse reactions, persistent digestive upset, or worsening signs. Oral irritation, drooling, swelling, or difficulty swallowing after administration requires prompt attention; breathing difficulty is an emergency.
Ingredients
Active Ingredients: Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng) - Ginseng root; Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) - White Atractylodes rhizome; Fu Ling (Sclerotium Poriae Cocos) - Poria sclerotium; Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis) - Honey-fried Licorice root; Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) - Tangerine peel; Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae Ternatae) - Pinellia rhizome.
Inactive Ingredient: Flaxseed.
Source and preparation details: The six ingredient designations are retained from the current listing. Confirm complete species, proportions, processing, and blend-specific composition against the manufacturer label. The listing identifies Ren Shen rather than Dang Shen; do not assume the two or differently branded Six Gentlemen preparations are equivalent. Zhi Gan Cao remains honey-fried as listed, but the actual processing has not been independently verified. Ban Xia requires appropriate processing; the supplied name does not document the method or testing, and raw Pinellia must not be substituted. Chen Pi's exact aging and preparation details are also unverified. Full species-level botanical documentation is not available for every ingredient in the supplied listing.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
Active Ingredient TCVM Actions
The six ingredients combine a four-ingredient Qi-supporting foundation with Phlegm transformation and Qi regulation, addressing the traditional deficiency root and accumulated Dampness branch together.
- Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng) - Ginseng Root: Traditionally tonifies Qi, supports Spleen and Lung functions, generates fluids, and calms the Spirit. It anchors the nourishing layer without implying a measured potency advantage over Codonopsis-containing products.
- Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) - White Atractylodes Rhizome: Traditionally strengthens Spleen Qi, dries Dampness, and stabilizes the Exterior, linking nourishment with Dampness management.
- Fu Ling (Sclerotium Poriae Cocos) - Poria Sclerotium: Traditionally supports the Spleen, drains Dampness, and calms the Spirit. In this formula it complements digestive support and Dampness transformation; its individual calming action is not a separate finished-product indication.
- Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis) - Honey-fried Licorice Root: Traditionally supports Middle Qi and harmonizes the formula. Honey preparation is part of the supplied designation, not proof that adverse effects or interactions are eliminated.
- Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) - Tangerine Peel: Traditionally regulates Qi, dries Dampness, transforms Phlegm, and harmonizes the Middle. The name does not establish a quantified aging-related increase in activity or protection from irritation.
- Ban Xia (Rhizoma Pinelliae Ternatae) - Pinellia Rhizome: Traditionally dries Dampness, transforms Phlegm, descends rebellious Qi, and harmonizes the Stomach. Appropriate processing and veterinary direction are essential; these actions do not establish immediate relief or guaranteed prevention of vomiting.
Potential Drug Interactions
Herbsmith Rx Liu Jun Zi San contains Ginseng, Licorice, drying and Dampness-draining herbs, and Pinellia requiring appropriate processing. Pets taking prescription medications should use the formula under veterinary supervision because herb-drug interaction research in dogs and cats is limited. Horses receiving prescriptions also require review. Constituent research and traditional Qi or Phlegm actions do not establish the direction or magnitude of an interaction for this finished preparation.
Medication categories warranting extra caution include anticoagulant and antiplatelet medicines, insulin and other antidiabetic medicines, stimulants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, corticosteroids, diuretics, cardiovascular medicines, digoxin, immunosuppressants, and multiple concurrent prescriptions. Your veterinarian may consider glucose, blood pressure, fluid balance, or electrolytes where clinically relevant. Stop administration and contact your veterinarian for suspected adverse reactions, persistent digestive upset, swelling, or worsening weakness; oral irritation or difficulty swallowing needs prompt attention, and breathing difficulty requires emergency care. Your veterinarian can determine appropriateness based on your animal's condition, medications, and laboratory results.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Liu Jun Zi San used for in TCVM?
It supports a veterinarian-confirmed Spleen Qi deficiency pattern with Phlegm-Dampness, often involving reduced appetite, digestive weakness, fatigue, and appropriate Phlegm signs. Its six listed ingredients combine Qi nourishment with Dampness transformation and Stomach harmonization. Tongue and pulse findings contribute to the assessment but do not replace evaluation of the underlying gastrointestinal or respiratory condition.
How is Liu Jun Zi San administered to dogs, cats, and horses?
Dogs and cats use the Canine Blend mixed into food. Dogs under 30 lbs receive ½ tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian. Dogs 30-80 lbs receive 1 tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian. Dogs 80-120 lbs receive 1½ tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian. Dogs over 120 lbs receive 2 tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian. Cats receive ¼ tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian. Confirm the dose at the overlapping 80 lb dog boundary.
For a 1,000 lb horse using the Equine/Horse Blend, give two tablespoons twice daily in grain, or as directed by your veterinarian. Continue the initial schedule for 20 days, or as directed by your veterinarian. Then give two tablespoons once daily in grain, or as directed by your veterinarian. If initially refused, introduce a small amount in grain and gradually increase until accustomed to the taste, or as directed by your veterinarian. Continue only for the prescribed duration, or as directed by your veterinarian. Do not wait until the course ends to seek care for persistent or worsening signs.
How should progress and safety be reassessed?
Your veterinarian reviews appetite, stool, vomiting where applicable, hydration, energy, body condition, respiratory signs, and tolerance alongside the clinical diagnosis and TCVM pattern. Fixed 1-to-2-week or 4-to-8-week improvement timelines are not established. Repeated vomiting, inability to retain water, or marked weakness needs prompt assessment; equine colic or diarrhea and any breathing difficulty require urgent attention. Processing details for Ban Xia and the complete medication list should be reviewed before use, not assumed from the formula name.
Why can digestive and respiratory signs appear in the same traditional pattern?
In TCVM, deficient Spleen transformation can contribute to Dampness and Phlegm patterns affecting either Stomach or Lung functions. Liu Jun Zi San therefore combines digestive Qi nourishment with Phlegm transformation rather than addressing only one traditional location. This framework does not prove a cough and digestive upset share the same medical cause. Animals may swallow respiratory secretions rather than visibly expectorating them, and cough or discharge needs clinical assessment. The current formula shares ingredients with Si Jun Zi Tang and Er Chen San, but products sold as Six Gentlemen Powder, Prosperous Farmer, or Six Gentle Pets require label and concentration comparison before any substitution.
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