Ginseng and Astragalus Decoction

Samgi-tang

한글 삼기탕 · Pinyin Shen Qi Tang

參芪湯

Also recorded in the Hoechun under the name Samgi-tang (參芪湯); the Dongwon text names it Sam-chul-tang (參朮湯) — one formula, two banners.

Composition 構成

Hwanggi Huang Qi
黃芪 황기 · Astragalus

8 g
Chief 君
Changchul Cang Zhu
蒼朮 창출 · Black Atractylodes

4 g
Deputy 臣
Singok Shen Qu
神麴 신곡 · Medicated Leaven

2.8 g
Deputy 臣
Insam Ren Shen
人蔘 인삼 · Ginseng

2 g
Deputy 臣
Jinpi Chen Pi
陳皮 진피 · Aged Tangerine Peel

2 g
Assistant 佐
Cheongpi Qing Pi
靑皮 청피 · Green Tangerine Peel

2 g
Assistant 佐
Seungma Sheng Ma
升麻 승마 · Cimicifuga

1.2 g
Assistant 佐
Siho Chai Hu
柴胡 시호 · Bupleurum

1.2 g
Assistant 佐
Hwangbaek Huang Bai
黃柏 황백 · Phellodendron

1.2 g
Assistant 佐
Danggui Dang Gui
當歸 당귀 · Korean Angelica

1.2 g
Assistant 佐 body (身)
Gamcho Gan Cao
甘草 감초 · Licorice

2 g
Envoy 使

Total 27.6 g per packet (첩) · representative dosage — verify against source texts.

Received this formula from your practitioner? Amounts shown here are classical reference values — granule and prepared products differ. Always follow your prescribed dosage and directions.

Actions 效能

Lifts the origin Qi that cannot reach heart and lung after meals
Lightens the heavy limbs and clears the post-meal fog

Indications 主治

Pattern-based

Post-meal clouded oppression and sinking weariness (食後昏悶沈困)
Four limbs heavy with the origin Qi failing to nourish heart and lung
The classic food-coma pattern on a weak center

Biomedical correlates

Postprandial somnolence and brain fog
Fatigue with heaviness after eating
Functional postprandial hypotension-adjacent states

Source text 原文

Donguibogam 東醫寶鑑

治脾胃虛弱, 元氣不能榮於心肺, 四肢沈重, 食後昏悶沈困. 黃芪二錢, 蒼朮一錢, 神麴七分, 人參ㆍ陳皮ㆍ靑皮ㆍ甘草各五分, 升麻ㆍ柴胡ㆍ黃柏ㆍ當歸身各三分. 右剉, 作一貼, 水煎服. 《東垣》 ○一名參芪湯. 《回春》

Translation

Treats Spleen-Stomach vacuity weakness with the origin Qi unable to nourish heart and lung: the four limbs heavy and sunken, and after meals a clouded oppression and sinking weariness. Astragalus 2 don; atractylodes 1 don; medicated leaven 0.7 don; ginseng, tangerine peel, green tangerine peel, and licorice, 0.5 don each; cimicifuga, bupleurum, phellodendron, and angelica body, 0.3 don each. Cut the above, make one packet, decoct in water and take (Dongwon 東垣). — Also called Samgi-tang. (Hoechun 回春)

Clinical commentary 臨床

The lineage's answer to the food coma — Dongyuan explains the mechanism first (the meal sits to one side when you lie down, and the qi briefly eases: proof the rising Qi has stalled), then sends astragalus at quadruple rank to restart the lift. The nap diagnosed as a circulation failure of the clear. — Eui Young (Justin) Chung, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M.