12/08/2026
Always tired? The answer isn’t always “more energy.”
In my last post, I talked about something I see often in clinic: two people can both say “I’m exhausted” — and in Chinese medicine, they may have completely different patterns behind that fatigue.
One of those patterns is Spleen Qi deficiency.
When I see fatigue together with things like low appetite, feeling tired after eating, digestive weakness, loose stools, brain fog, or weakness in the limbs, I may consider whether Spleen and Stomach Qi need support.
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is a traditional Chinese herbal formula associated with this pattern. Its classical combination includes herbs such as Huang Qi (Astragalus), Ren Shen (Ginseng), Bai Zhu, Dang Gui, Chen Pi, Chai Hu, Sheng Ma and Zhi Gan Cao.
Traditionally, the formula is used to tonify Qi, support digestive function and address weakness associated with Qi deficiency.
I treat the pattern I see in the person in front of me.
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang can be a beautiful formula when it matches that pattern. When it doesn’t, another approach may be more appropriate.
Your fatigue is giving us information. The first step is learning how to listen to it.
— Juyon