When everyday energy runs short
Tiredness that sets in, lack of drive from the morning on, a voice that grows weak by the end of the day, breath that runs short at the slightest effort, a modest appetite, sweating easily… In TCM, these signs may be associated with Spleen and Lung Qi deficiency. The Spleen draws Qi from food, the Lung draws it from the air and spreads it throughout the body: when either one weakens, the energy of the whole body drops.
Shen Qi Wan takes its name from its two herbs: shen (参) for codonopsis (Dang Shen), qi (芪) for astragalus (Huang Qi). It is a preparation from the Chinese pharmacopoeia reduced to the essentials: a pair of herbs found at the heart of Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, where codonopsis can take the place of ginseng. Not to be confused with Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (肾气丸), whose name is pronounced almost the same way, but which is aimed at the Kidney.
One produces, the other distributes
Tradition makes codonopsis and astragalus the reference Qi pair. Codonopsis, sweet and neutral, generates Qi in the centre, in the Spleen and Stomach; astragalus, slightly warm, increases it and lifts it upwards and to the surface. The Ben Cao Cong Xin sums up the former in a few words: supplementing the Centre, boosting the Qi, harmonising the Spleen and Stomach (补中，益气，和脾胃).
Tonifies the Qi: Codonopsis and astragalus are among the great Qi tonic herbs of the Chinese pharmacopoeia; in equal parts, neither takes precedence over the other.
Nourishes the Spleen and Lungs: Both enter the Spleen and Lung meridians, the two organs which, in TCM, produce Qi from food and air.
Supports you through periods of fatigue: Codonopsis works gently and astragalus provides the momentum: together, they accompany the gradual return of energy after a demanding period.
Gives tone to the body: According to tradition, astragalus “raises the Yang”: it lifts the Qi of the centre when it sinks, to regain drive and vitality.
