A "tonify qi, strengthen the spleen, dry dampness, transform phlegm" formula from the Song dynasty, one of the most frequently prescribed "digestive tonic" formulas in TCM practice, especially for the post-illness or chronically weak patient.
Cultural reference - how this formula has been discussed in Chinese medical tradition. Not medical advice.
Background & origin
Finalized in the Song dynasty "Formulary of the Bureau of Medicine" (《太平惠民和剂局方》) as the foundational "qi-tonic with phlegm-draining" formula. In Japan, Rikkunshi-to (六君子湯) is one of the most commonly prescribed kampo formulas for "weak stomach", sold by every major manufacturer (Tsumura, Kracie, Kotaro) and widely used after surgery, during chemotherapy, and for functional dyspepsia. In Korea it appears as Yukgunja-hwan (육군자환) in the Hanpung hanbang line. It is, in short, the "gentle daily digestive tonic" of East Asian pharmacopeia.
From the source text
This page is cultural documentation, not medical advice.
From the source text · 《局方》卷三·治一切气·四君子汤（原方）+ 《医学正传》引（《局方》四君子汤化裁为"六君子汤"）
Classical text
《局方》四君子汤原方论："治荣卫气虚，脏腑怯弱，心腹胀满，全不思食，肠鸣泄泻，呕哕吐逆，大宜服之。" 后世《医学正传》于四君子汤基础上加半夏、陈皮,名"六君子汤",治气虚痰饮、脾虚湿盛。
Modern Chinese rendering
本方由《局方》四君子汤(人参、白术、茯苓、炙甘草)加半夏、陈皮而成,系"益气健脾、燥湿化痰"思路下"气虚痰湿"路径的经典条目。治荣卫气虚、脏腑怯弱所致的心腹胀满、不思饮食、肠鸣泄泻、呕哕吐逆,以及脾虚生湿、湿聚成痰的痰饮证候。这一段方论把六君子汤定位为"四君子汤加味、气虚痰湿双治"的代表方——补气以治本、化痰以治标,也是后世"香砂六君子丸"、"归芍六君子丸"、"陈夏六君子丸"等系列化裁方的母方。
Editorial translation
This formula is derived from the Formulary's Sì Jūn Zǐ Tāng (Four Gentlemen Decoction, Rén Shēn / Bái Zhú / Fú Líng / Zhì Gān Cǎo) with the addition of Bàn Xià and Chén Pí, the canonical entry for the "supplement qi and fortify the spleen, dry dampness and transform phlegm" approach in its "qi-deficiency with phlegm-damp" register. It is used for "constructive and defensive qi deficiency, zang-fu timidity and weakness": epigastric and abdominal fullness, no desire to eat, borborygmus with diarrhea, retching and counterflow vomiting, and the phlegm-rheum patterns of "spleen deficiency engendering dampness, dampness gathering into phlegm". This preface positions Liù Jūn Zǐ Tāng as the Formulary-derived "Sì Jūn Zǐ Tāng with additions, dual treatment of qi-deficiency and phlegm-damp" representative formula — tonifying qi to treat the root, transforming phlegm to treat the branch — and the parent formula for the later series of variations including Xiāng Shā Liù Jūn Zǐ Wán, Guī Sháo Liù Jūn Zǐ Wán, and Chén Xià Liù Jūn Zǐ Wán.
In tradition
In TCM tradition, associated with "spleen qi deficiency with phlegm-damp" patterns: poor appetite, abdominal fullness, loose stools, fatigue, a sensation of heaviness, and a tendency toward coughing up small amounts of thin phlegm. It is the formula of choice for the "weak stomach, weak digestion" patient who does not respond well to richer tonics, and is one of the most commonly prescribed formulas in pediatric and geriatric TCM practice.
Formula composition
Monarch1
- Ginseng (Rén Shēn / 人参)
Minister2
- White atractylodes (Bái Zhú / 白术)
- Poria (Fú Líng / 茯苓)
Assistant2
- Pinellia rhizome, processed (Bàn Xià / 半夏)
- Tangerine peel (Chén Pí / 陈皮)
Envoy1
- Licorice root, honey-fried (Zhì Gān Cǎo / 炙甘草)
International availability
Japan (Kampo)
- Tsumura & Co.ツムラOTC六君子湯Rikkunshi-tō
Korea (Hanbang)
- Kyungdong경동OTC육군자탕Yukgunja-tang
Taiwan & Hong Kong
- 順天堂OTC六君子丸Liu Jun Zi Wan
Cautions & context
- Considered a relatively safe daily-use formula in TCM framing, but not appropriate for active fever or acute infection.
- People with what TCM describes as "yin deficiency with fire" (dry mouth, night sweats, irritability) may find it too warming and drying.
- Long-term daily use should be monitored by a practitioner, even gentle tonics can shift the body's balance over months.
- Symptoms that worsen or do not improve within a few weeks of use should be reassessed by a clinician.
Related formulas
Other formulas from this text· "Formulary of the Bureau of Medicine"
Other formulas by this contributor· Imperial Medical Bureau (Song)
Related concerns
Concern · digestion
Digestion
Upper-abdominal heaviness, bloating, sour reflux, loose stools, traveler's stomach, and the aftermath of a meal that was richer, spicier, or larger than usual.
Editorial note
Compiled from "Formulary of the Bureau of Medicine" (1078).
Last reviewed: July 18, 2026
Three layers of evidence
Classical source
≈ 900 years · "Formulary of the Bureau of Medicine" (1078)
Pharmacopoeia indication
"Fortify the spleen and benefit qi, dry dampness and resolve phlegm. Used for spleen-stomach weakness: reduced food intake, qi deficiency with profuse phlegm, abdominal distension, and loose stools."
Modern research status
A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis (PMID 32767596) of Rikkunshito (the Japanese name for Liu Jun Zi Tang) for functional dyspepsia found modest improvements in meal-related upper abdominal fullness and overall symptom scores compared with prokinetics or placebo, though the authors cautioned that the included RCTs had small samples and heterogeneous designs; no high-quality Cochrane-style review was identified. [5]
References
References reviewed on July 18, 2026 · PubMed search on 2026-07-18
- 01ClassicalChen Shiwen (陈师文) et al. (eds.), 《太平惠民和剂局方》 (Tài Píng Huì Mín Hé Jì Jú Fāng / Formulary of the Bureau of Medicine), Song dynasty, compiled 1078, vol. 3, the "treating all qi" (治一切气) section, the entry for Sì Jūn Zǐ Tāng (四君子汤), the parent formula for the "tonify qi and fortify the spleen" approach; the Liù Jūn Zǐ Tāng variation (Sì Jūn Zǐ Tāng + Bàn Xià + Chén Pí) is a later development formally named in Yuán Tuan's (虞抟) 《医学正传》 (Míng dynasty) for the "qi-deficiency with phlegm-damp" register.
- 02TextbookDuan Fuqin (段富津) et al. (eds.), 《方剂学》 (Fāngjìxué / Science of Formulas), 2nd edition, Shanghai Scientific and Technical Publishers, 2011, the standard modern university-level formula textbook in mainland China, with Liù Jūn Zǐ Tāng analysed as the representative "supplement qi and fortify the spleen, dry dampness and transform phlegm" (益气健脾，燥湿化痰) formula, the parent of later series including Xiāng Shā Liù Jūn Zǐ Wán, Guī Sháo Liù Jūn Zǐ Wán, and Chén Xià Liù Jūn Zǐ Wán.
- 03TextbookTsumura & Co. (ツムラ), Rikkunshi-to (六君子湯) product documentation, Japan's leading Kampo manufacturer, the most commonly prescribed Japanese Kampo formula for "weak stomach" (胃弱), sold by every major manufacturer (Tsumura, Kracie, Kotaro), widely used after surgery, during chemotherapy, and for functional dyspepsia in Japanese clinical Kampo practice, listed in the Japanese Kampo formulary as a standard post-surgical and digestive tonic.
- 04PharmacopoeiaPharmacopoeia Commission of the PRC, 《中华人民共和国药典》 2020 edition, vol. 1 (Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Yàodiǎn, Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, 2020 ed., vol. 1), China Medical Science Press, 2020, the official national monograph for Liù Jūn Zǐ Wán, "functional indication" reads "supplement qi and fortify the spleen, dry dampness and transform phlegm, used for spleen-deficiency with phlegm-damp causing poor appetite, abdominal distention and fullness, loose stools, fatigue, and cough with thin white phlegm".
- 05