Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan (simplified Chinese: 补中益气丸; traditional Chinese: 補中益氣丸; pinyin: bǔ zhōng yì qì wán) is a Chinese classic herbal formula. In Japanese kampo, it is known as "Hochū-ekki-tō" (補中益気湯 ほちゅうえっきとう) (it is also known as Kampo #41). It is commonly made into Chinese patent medicine.
Variations
The formula was created by Lǐ Dōng-yuán (T: 李東垣, S: 李东垣). It was published in "Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach" (Pí Wèi Lùn, T: 脾胃論, S: 脾胃论) in 1249.
There are many variations of the formula proportions. Each maker of Chinese patent medicine changes the proportions of the herbs slightly. The proportions are standardized in the Japanese kampo formula, however. Some herbs may be changed also. For example, rén shēn (ginseng root) may be replaced with dǎng shēn ("poor man's ginseng").
The formula was also changed slightly when it was borrowed as a Japanese kampo formula. Some Chinese species of herbs were replaced with herbs found in Japan. For example, bái zhú (Atractylodes macrocephala) was replaced with cāng zhú (Atractylodes lancea).