Qi Fu Tang: Astragalus and Aconite Decoction for Spontaneous Sweating due to Yang Deficiency

Qi Fu Tang (Astragalus-Aconite Decoction) comes from Wei's Family-Secret Formulas (Wei Shi Jia Cang Fang). It consists of Fuzi (processed aconite) 2 qian (6 g, fired, peel removed) and Huangqi (astragalus) 1 qian (3 g, honey-fried or processed with brine). Grind the aconite and astragalus into a coarse powder. Use 200 ml of water, add 3 slices of fresh ginger and 1 jujube, and decoct to 150 ml; strain and take warm before meals, twice daily. This formula supplements qi and warms yang; it treats yang deficiency with weak qi, spontaneous sweating, and night sweating.

Qi Fu Tang has a very simple composition. It combines aconite, the foremost yang-supporting medicinal, with astragalus, the foremost qi-supplementing medicinal, so its rationale is easy to grasp: it supports yang and supplements qi to secure the exterior. Two other famous formulas treat spontaneous sweating: Guizhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) and Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Windscreen Powder).

TCM holds that spontaneous sweating and night sweating mostly arise from deficiency and insecurity of the exterior, so formulas for these conditions emphasize securing the exterior. Guizhi Tang, Qi Fu Tang, and Yu Ping Feng San all follow this principle, with slight differences among the three.

The spontaneous sweating treated by Guizhi Tang arises from Taiyang wind-strike; such patients usually also have fever with aversion to cold and a floating, moderate pulse. Yu Ping Feng Sang is made of astragalus, baizhu (atractylodes), and fangfeng (saposhnikovia), and treats spontaneous sweating due to exterior deficiency and insecurity; such patients commonly also show aversion to wind, shortness of breath, fatigue, a pale tongue, and a weak pulse. Yu Ping Feng San and Qi Fu Tang are similar in rationale, but Qi Fu Tang leans more toward yang deficiency with weak qi, in which patients often have aversion to cold and cold limbs.