Qi-Deficiency Constitution — TCM Food Therapy & Dietary Approach

The Qi-Deficiency Constitution usually arises from a weak prenatal endowment with insufficient original qi, compounded by inadequate postnatal nourishment.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Patterns

In TCM, this constitution is differentiated into several patterns, each with a classical herbal formula:

Spleen-Stomach Qi Deficiency

Formula: Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) (Formulary of the Bureau of the People's Welfare Pharmacies)

Ingredients: Ginseng (Renshen), Atractylodes (Baizhu), Poria (Fuling), honey-fried Licorice (Zhigancao)

Traditionally used to supplement qi and fortify the spleen; it is the foundational formula for Spleen-Stomach Qi Deficiency, and most later spleen-tonifying, qi-supplementing formulas are derived from it.

Spleen Deficiency with Qi Sinking (Middle Qi Sinking)

Formula: Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Tonify the Middle and Augment Qi Decoction) (Li Dongyuan's Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach)

Ingredients: Astragalus (Huangqi), Ginseng (Renshen), Atractylodes (Baizhu), honey-fried Licorice (Zhigancao), Tangerine Peel (Chenpi), Angelica (Danggui), Cimicifuga (Shengma), Bupleurum (Chaihu)

Traditionally used to tonify the middle, supplement qi, raise yang, and lift what has sunken; traditionally used for presentations of fatigue, poor appetite with abdominal distension, prolapse of internal organs, chronic diarrhea, and rectal prolapse.

Spleen Deficiency with Exuberant Dampness (Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Complicated by Dampness)

Formula: Shenling Baizhu San (Ginseng, Poria and Atractylodes Macrocephala Powder) (Formulary of the Bureau of the People's Welfare Pharmacies)

Ingredients: Ginseng (Renshen), Poria (Fuling), Atractylodes (Baizhu), Chinese Yam (Shanyao), Lotus Seed (Lianzi), White Hyacinth Bean (Baibiandou), Coix Seed (Yiyiren), Amomum (Sharen), Platycodon (Jiegeng), Licorice (Gancao)

Traditionally used to supplement qi, fortify the spleen, percolate dampness, and stop diarrhea; traditionally used for Spleen-Stomach Deficiency with poor appetite, loose stools, shortness of breath, and fatigue.

These formulas are for reference under TCM constitution differentiation and should only be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.

Food Therapy & Diet

Dietary Therapy Recipes

Astragalus Stewed Chicken (Astragalus Steamed Chicken): Take one young chicken, remove the innards and rinse it; place about 30 g of raw Astragalus (Huangqi), rinsed, into the cavity, add ginger slices and scallion sections, and steam or simmer gently until tender. Eat the chicken and drink the broth. Traditionally used to supplement qi and relieve deficiency, fortify the spleen and raise yang, suitable for those with qi-deficiency fatigue who easily catch cold.
Chinese Yam Congee: Peel fresh Chinese yam (Huai Shanyao), slice it thin or grind it fine, and cook it with rice and water into a congee; when soft and done, sweeten with sugar. Traditionally used to supplement the middle, replenish qi, and strengthen the spleen and stomach.
Codonopsis and Astragalus Congee: 10 g Codonopsis (Dangshen), 20 g Astragalus (Huangqi), 100 g rice. First decoct the Codonopsis and Astragalus, strain out the dregs, and use the resulting liquid to cook the rice into congee; take it warm on an empty stomach in the morning. Traditionally used to supplement qi and fortify the spleen, improving shortness of breath and fatigue.
Ginseng and Jujube Congee: 6 g ginseng, 5 jujubes, 60 g rice. Pit the jujubes and cook them together with the ginseng and rice in water into a congee. Traditionally used to supplement the middle and replenish qi, suitable for those with spleen-stomach weakness, poor appetite, and fatigue.
Chinese Yam and Longan Congee: Peel and slice 100 g Chinese yam, and cook it with longan flesh, lychee flesh, and Schisandra (Wuweizi) into a congee; sweeten with sugar when done. Traditionally used to supplement the middle, replenish qi, benefit the lung, and consolidate essence.

Dietary Principles

Favor qi-supplementing, spleen-fortifying, sweet-warm and gently tonifying foods: Chinese yam, lotus seed, jujube, longan, rice, millet, glutinous rice, soybean, white hyacinth bean, shiitake mushroom, honey, beef, chicken, egg, and silver carp.
Avoid qi-consuming, cold-natured, raw and cool foods such as water spinach, raw radish, bitter gourd, winter melon, and crab, so as not to damage spleen qi.
Qi-tonifying herbs may be used in cooking in moderation: Astragalus, Codonopsis, Pseudostellaria (Taizishen), Polygonatum (Huangjing), and Ganoderma (Lingzhi) may be used in stews, congees, or teas; amounts should not be excessive, and supplementation should be gradual.
Eat regularly and in moderation, avoid alternating hunger and fullness, choose easily digestible food, and do not overindulge in rich, greasy foods that hinder spleen qi transformation.

Understanding the Constitution

The Qi-Deficiency Constitution usually arises from a weak prenatal endowment with insufficient original qi, compounded by inadequate postnatal nourishment. The postnatal factors mainly include long-term dietary irregularities (irregular hunger and fullness, inadequate nutrition), overexertion and fatigue ("overexertion consumes qi"), emotional frustration, qi damage from prolonged illness, qi damage from prolonged lying, and aging with bodily decline — all of which weaken the spleen and stomach's transportation and transformation, leaving qi insufficiently generated. The spleen and stomach are the root of the acquired constitution and the source of qi and blood production; when spleen qi is weak, the source of qi and blood generation is deficient. The lung governs the qi of the whole body and the kidney stores original qi; lung-spleen qi deficiency leaves the defensive exterior insecure and the consolidating function impaired, giving rise to shortness of breath, reluctance to speak, a weak voice, fatigue, spontaneous sweating, susceptibility to colds, and slow recovery after illness.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.