Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang

Functions

This formula nourishes qi and enriches the blood while nourishing the heart to help calm the mind. It is mainly used to improve qi and blood deficiencies, which are often due to stress and have symptoms such as sallow complexion, weight loss, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of hair, and dysmenorrhea, etc.

Dosage Info

Pill: 10g per pill, orally taken, 1 pill three times a day. Decoction: Boiled in water, divided into 6 portions given twice a day. Internal administration, 5:1 concentrated extract: 9 grams/day.

Ingredients

Precautions

This formula is warming and invigorating in nature, and it is not suitable for patients with upper-respiratory tract infections of either wind-heat or wind-cold type, or for those showing symptoms of indigestion or restlessness.

Pharmacology

Synergistic therapeutic effect in auto-immune MRL/1pr mice: Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang can remarkably prolong the subjects’ survival time when it is administered 5 times a week through an endogastric infusion in combination with dexamethathone on MRL/1pr mice aged 6 weeks or older. This same treatment can also reduce the levels of anti-ds-DNA autologous antibodies and circulatory immune complexes in the peripheral blood. A flow cytology analysis shows that this treatment can lower the count of abnormal B220+ T cells in lymphoid organs. (1)

Regulatory effect on hematopoietic function: Experiments show that Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang can stimulate the secretion of IL-1 and IL-6, promote bone marrow cell differentiation and proliferation, and raise white blood cell count, thus improving the hematopoietic function of the body in normal Balb/c mice. (2)

Antagonizing chemotherapy-induced injuries in mice: When administered prior to chemotherapy, Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang can lessen cyclophosphamide-induced damages to the immune system and hematopoietic function. (3)

Clinical Applications

Treating chronic fatigue syndrome:Gu et al. reviewed the results of treating chronic fatigue syndrome with Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang by Japanese practitioners of oriental medicine. The treatment is credited for enhancing cellular immunity and for relieving clinical symptoms. (4)

Treating micturition syncope: Xu treated 25 cases of micturition syncope with modified Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang. The formula consisted of Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Sheng Ma (Cimifuga), Fu Zi (processed Aconite), Bai Shao (White Peony Root), Ren Shen (Ginseng), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Chen Pi (Citrus), Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), Fu Ling (Poria), Dang Gui (Dang Gui), Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark), Shu Di Huang (prepared Rehmannia), Yuan Zhi (Polygala), Shi Chang Pu (Grassleaved Sweetflag Rhizome), Wu Wei Zi (Schizandra), Sheng Jiang (Ginger), Da Zao (Jujube), and Gan Cao (prepared Licorice). One dose of the formula in a water decoction was administered daily. The results showed that after taking 5 to 45 doses, 20 cases were resolved, 3 cases had greatly improved, 1 improved slightly, and the remaining 1 case did not respond to the treatment. (5)

Increasing the white blood cell count after chemotherapy or radiotherapy: Patients began taking a Ren Shen Yan Rong Tang decoction 2 days before chemotherapy/radiotherapy. The formula was taken twice a day for 10 consecutive days. Starting from the second day into the chemotherapy/radiotherapy, the white blood cell count was measured daily for four days. The results showed that the white blood cell count did not noticeably drop and the patients’ general condition was relatively good. The adverse reactions to the chemotherapy/radiation were mild with moderate nausea and vomiting. (6)

Treating Buerger’s disease: Gao treated 60 cases of Buerger’s disease due to qi and blood deficiencies with a modification of Ren Shen Yang Ying Tang. The modified formula consisted of Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Huang Qi (processed Astragalus Root), Shu Di Huang (prepared Rehmannia), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Bai Shao (White Peony Root), Fu Ling (Poria), Dang Gui (Dang Gui), Wu Wei Zi (Schizandra), Yuan Zhi (Polygala), Chen Pi (Citrus), Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark), Sheng Jiang (Ginger), and Da Zao (Jujube). One dose of the formula in a decoction was administered daily. The treatment was designed to warm the meridians and dispel cold pathogens, and to activate the blood and promote circulation. This formula achieved satisfactory results. (7)

Child rickets: Lee et al. believed that rickets in children were caused by under-nourishment of skeletons and muscles due to hypofunction of various internal organs, and by deficiencies in the lung, spleen, liver, and kidney. He believed that the treatment should start by remedying the spleen and stomach deficiencies. Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang is known for its effectiveness in enriching qi and enforcing spleen, nourishing liver and kidney, and promoting immune functions. Lee et al. randomly divided 135 child rickets cases into two groups: Group A had 70 patients and was treated with a daily dose of a Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang modification, which consisted of Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), Fu Ling (Poria), Bai Shao (White Peony Root), Wu Wei Zi (Schizandra), Long Gu (Dragon Bone), Mu Li (Oyster Shell), Ren Shen (Ginseng), Chen Pi (Citrus), Dang Gui (Dang Gui), Shu Di Huang (prepared Rehmannia), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twigs), and Gan Cao (Licorice). Group B had 65 cases and they were treated with calcium gluconate 0.5g twice a day and an injection of Vitamin D3 300,000 IU once a week. The results illustrated that, of Group A, 50 cases were resolved, and 20 improved; and of Group B, 47 cases were resolved, and 18 cases improved. After the treatment, patients in Group A who previously had recurrent respiratory tract infections now had a reduced infection occurrence rate, and those who suffered from diarrhea had the condition under control. (8)

References

  1. Zhou Nan Nan, et al. Synergistic effects of Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang with dexamethathone on autoimmunity in MRL/1pr mice. China Journal of Immunology. 1993;9(4):232-234.
  2. Wang Hai Yan, et al. Ren Sheng Yang Rong Tang’s regulatory effects on hematopoietic function in mice undergoing chemotherapy. China Journal of TCM Science and Technology. 1998;5(5):292-293.
  3. Wang Hai Yan, et al. Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang’s antagonistic effects on chemotherapy injuries in mice. Journal of Applied Integrated Medicine. 1998;11(10):866.
  4. Gu Hong Yan, et al. Clinical application of Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang in Japan. Journal of Chinese Materia Medica. 1997;28(2):121-122.
  5. Xu Zhen Hua, et al. Treating 25 cases of micturition syncope with Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang. Journal of Applied TCM. 1996;12(1):12-13.
  6. Luo Jing, et al. Ren Sheng Yang Rong Tang’s effect in raising white blood cell count after chemotherapy. China Journal of TCM Theories. 1999;5(suppl):115.
  7. Gao Jun. Treating 60 cases of thromboangiitis obliterans by differential analysis. Shaanxi Journal of TCM. 1999;20(8):366.
  8. Li Zong Wei, et al. Treating 70 cases of child rickets with modified Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang. Journal of Pharmacy. 1999;11(12):40.