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Herbsmith Rx Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is a classical Chinese herbal formula recommended by holistic veterinarians to tonify the qi of the middle burner and raise sunken yang in dogs, cats, and horses. Also known as Tonify the Middle and Augment the Qi Powder, Central Chi Teapills, Arouse Vigor, and Ginseng and Astragalus Formula, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is one of the most important and widely used formulas in all of classical TCVM for treating central qi weakness: the foundational pattern of spleen and stomach qi vacuity in which the middle burner's transforming and transporting function is compromised, and the central yang qi that should rise to hold the organs, tissues, and body fluids in their proper positions has become insufficient and begun to sink. The formula's eight herbs address the central qi weakness from three simultaneous directions: strongly tonifying the spleen and stomach qi (Huang Qi, Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, Zhi Gan Cao) so the middle burner can generate qi and blood from food and fluids; raising the sunken yang qi back to its proper ascending position (Sheng Ma, Chai Hu) so the middle burner's lifting function is restored; and supporting the blood nourishment, qi movement, and digestive rhythm needed to keep the restored qi flowing smoothly (Dang Gui, Chen Pi). Well suited for dogs, cats, and horses presenting with the central qi weakness and sinking pattern, characterized by chronic fatigue and general debility from qi vacuity failing to energize the body; poor digestion, reduced appetite, and loose or poorly formed stools from spleen qi vacuity failing to transform and transport food and fluids; prolapse or sagging of organs, tissues, or body structures from sinking yang qi failing to hold and lift; shortness of breath and a weak, low voice from qi vacuity failing to support the lung's dispersing and descending function; a pale tongue with a thin white coating and a deficient, weak, or soft pulse reflecting the qi and blood vacuity. Available as a concentrated powder mixed into food; dogs and cats 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.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
If the horse initially refuses, start with a small amount mixed into grain and gradually increase until the horse is accustomed to the taste, or as directed by your veterinarian. Most horses will readily accept the herbs in their grain.
Active Ingredients: Huang Qi (Radix Astragali Membranacei), Ren Shen (Radix Ginseng), Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis), Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae), Sheng Ma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae), Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri)
Inactive Ingredient: Flaxseed
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is an eight-herb formula organized around the three-part strategy of central qi tonification, sunken yang raising, and blood and qi support: Huang Qi as the chief herb tonifying and lifting the spleen qi; Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, and Zhi Gan Cao as the deputy tonifying herbs completing the middle burner qi restoration; Sheng Ma and Chai Hu as the yang-raising pair correcting the sinking direction; and Dang Gui and Chen Pi as the supporting herbs nourishing the blood and moving the qi:
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang contains qi-tonifying herbs, including Ren Shen and Huang Qi, blood-nourishing and blood-moving herbs such as Dang Gui, and honey-fried licorice root (Zhi Gan Cao), which warrant consideration when reviewing medications. Pets taking prescription medications should use this formula under veterinary supervision because herb-drug interaction research in dogs and cats is limited. Horses taking prescription medications should also have their veterinarian review the formula before use.
Medication categories warranting extra caution include immunosuppressive medications, anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, blood glucose-lowering medications and insulin, antihypertensive medications, stimulants, corticosteroids, diuretics, anti-inflammatory medications, and medications processed by the liver. The formula's warm, tonifying and lifting strategy is not appropriate for active excess heat, yin vacuity heat, excess dampness or phlegm, or ascendant liver yang hyperactivity. Your authorizing veterinarian can determine appropriateness based on your animal's condition, current medications, and laboratory results, together with confirmation of the central qi sinking pattern through tongue, pulse, digestive function, energy level, and organ position assessment.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is indicated for the central qi weakness and sunken middle qi pattern, where spleen and stomach qi vacuity compromises the middle burner's transforming and transporting function and the central yang qi that should rise to hold and lift the organs, tissues, and membranes in their proper positions becomes insufficient and begins to sink. The clinical presentation centers on the combination of chronic fatigue, general debility, and digestive weakness from qi vacuity failing to energize the body and generate adequate qi and blood from food; poor digestion, reduced appetite, and loose or poorly formed stools from spleen qi vacuity failing to transform and transport; prolapse or sagging of organs, tissues, or body structures from sinking yang qi failing to hold and lift; and a pale tongue with thin white coating and a deficient, weak, or soft pulse reflecting the qi and blood vacuity. Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is the foundational classical formula for this pattern and one of the most important formulas in all of TCVM for treating weakness of the central qi; its indication extends to any condition in which the central qi weakness and sinking is the primary or contributing TCVM pattern, from chronic digestive weakness to organ prolapse to chronic fatigue and immune vulnerability from qi vacuity. Your authorizing veterinarian will confirm the pattern through tongue and pulse examination and clinical assessment.
Mix the powder directly into food or grain. Dogs and cats use the Canine Blend. For dogs under 30 lbs, give ½ tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian. For dogs 30-80 lbs, give 1 tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian. For dogs 80-120 lbs, give 1½ tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian. For dogs over 120 lbs, give 2 tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian. For cats, give ¼ tsp twice daily, or as directed by your veterinarian.
Horses use the Equine/Horse Blend. For a 1,000 lb horse, give two tablespoons twice daily, 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 the horse initially refuses, start with a small amount mixed into grain and gradually increase until the horse is accustomed to the taste, or as directed by your veterinarian. Because Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang contains Ren Shen and Huang Qi, comprehensive veterinary review of current medications is required before use, particularly for animals taking immunosuppressants, anticoagulants, blood glucose-lowering medications, or antihypertensives. The formula's warm, lifting strategy is not appropriate for animals with active excess heat, yin vacuity heat, or ascendant liver yang; your authorizing veterinarian will confirm the central qi vacuity pattern before prescribing.
As a formula addressing a constitutional qi vacuity and sinking pattern, Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang requires a sustained treatment course to restore the middle burner's transforming and transporting function and re-establish the ascending direction of the central yang qi. Early improvement in the most acute signs of qi vacuity (reduced fatigue, improved appetite, firmer stools) is often seen within 2 to 4 weeks as the formula's powerful qi-tonifying herbs begin restoring the spleen and stomach qi. More substantial restoration of the middle burner function, reflected in sustained energy improvement, normalized digestion, and beginning resolution of prolapse or sagging signs from the restored yang qi's lifting action, typically requires 4 to 8 weeks or longer. Deeply established central qi vacuity from chronic illness, aging, or constitutional qi insufficiency may require 3 to 6 months of sustained treatment, or as directed by your veterinarian, before the lifting function is fully re-established. Your authorizing veterinarian will monitor tongue, pulse, and clinical function signs throughout the treatment course and adjust the formula or dosing as the pattern evolves.
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang differs from other qi-tonifying formulas by combining powerful middle burner qi tonification with specific yang-raising herbs (Sheng Ma and Chai Hu) that correct the sinking direction produced by qi vacuity. Formulas that tonify the qi without raising the yang (such as Si Jun Zi Tang, the Four Gentlemen Decoction) are appropriate for qi vacuity without significant sinking, where the primary presentation is digestive weakness and fatigue without organ prolapse or sagging signs; these formulas provide qi tonification without the ascending herbs that Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang includes for the sinking pattern. Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang's yang-raising component is not merely supplementary: the sinking direction of the compromised middle qi produces clinical signs (prolapse, organ sagging, chronic diarrhea from sinking that cannot be resolved by tonification alone) that require the ascending herbs to correct the direction of the qi movement, not just the quantity of the qi. Without Sheng Ma and Chai Hu, restoring the qi through tonification alone would add more qi to a system whose directional flow is still incorrect, and the prolapse and sinking signs would persist despite the improved energy. Your authorizing veterinarian will determine whether the full Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang formula, with its yang-raising strategy, or a simpler qi-tonifying formula is appropriate based on the clinical presentation and the degree of sinking in your animal's pattern.
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