liu jun zi tang

Liu Jun Zi Tang (六君子汤), also known as the "Six Gentlemen Decoction," is a classical Chinese herbal formula developed in 1107 and widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is designed to tonify Qi and strengthen the Spleen and Stomach while transforming phlegm and drying dampness. The formula consists of six main herbs—Ginseng (Ren Shen or its substitute Codonopsis/Dang Shen), Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu), Poria Mushroom (Fu Ling), Licorice Root (Zhi Gan Cao), Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi), and Pinellia Rhizome (Ban Xia)—and is based on the foundational Si Jun Zi Tang with added ingredients to address phlegm-dampness. Mechanistically, Liu Jun Zi Tang acts by invigorating Spleen Qi, promoting digestion, improving gastric motility, increasing appetite via ghrelin secretion modulation, resolving phlegm-damp obstruction in the digestive tract, and harmonizing gastrointestinal function. It is commonly indicated for conditions such as Spleen-Stomach Qi deficiency with symptoms like fatigue, poor appetite, loose stools or diarrhea; it also addresses nausea/vomiting due to damp-phlegm accumulation[1][2][3][4][6][8]. Modern research supports its use for antiemetic effects during chemotherapy and metabolic support in cases of obesity related to phlegm-dampness[8].

Other names

六君子汤Liujunzi TangSix Gentlemen DecoctionSix Major Herb CombinationThe Six Noble Ingredients Decoction