What are the differences between Si Wu Tang, Ba Zhen Tang, and Shi Quan Da Bu Tang? | Bai Zi Gui

In Malaysia, during the rainy season or colder weather, various medicinal soups have become a favorite among the population. Many people add pork ribs or chicken to the soup, creating a pot of delicious medicinal soup with a strong aroma. Si Wu Tang, Eight Treasures Soup/Ba Zhen Tang, and Ten Essence Herbal Soup / Shi Quan Da Bu Tang all hold significant positions in traditional Chinese medicine, each with its unique traditional uses.

However, do you understand the ingredients of Ten Complete Supplement Soup? How does it differ from Four Substances Soup and Eight Treasures Soup?

Eight Treasures Soup/Ba Zhen Tang: A Double Supplement of Qi and Blood, Ten Essence Herbal Soup / Shi Quan Da Bu Tang is even more nourishing

Si Wu Tang contains four medicinal ingredients: Angelica Sinensis, Ligusticum Chuanxiong, White Peony Root, and Rehmannia (raw or cooked), combined with four additional medicinal ingredients - Ginseng, Atractylodes Macrocephala, Poria Cocos, and Licorice that form Si Jun Zi Tang, resulting in Eight Treasures Soup.

Eight Treasures Soup/Ba Zhen Tang is already a good formula for nourishing both Qi and blood. If Huang Qi (Astragalus) and Rou Gui (Cinnamon) are added, it becomes the well-known Ten Complete Supplement Soup. Not only does it nourish Qi and blood, but it also warms the body, making it more effective than Eight Treasures Soup/Ba Zhen Tang and can be considered a super tonic. However, what are the differences between these formulas?

Si Wu Tang: A Classic Formula for Nourishing and Invigorating Blood

The main function of Four Substances Soup is to nourish and invigorate blood, suitable for regulating menstruation and alleviating pain, especially effective for women with irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, and insufficient menstrual flow. Additionally, Four Substances Soup also has the effect of nourishing the skin and improving skin condition with long-term consumption. It is suitable for women with irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, light or dark menstrual flow, as well as postpartum recovery.

It contains the following four medicinal ingredients:

Angelica Sinensis: Nourishes and activates blood circulation

Ligusticum Chuanxiong: Promotes Qi circulation and blood circulation

White Peony Root: Soothes the liver and relieves pain

Rehmannia (raw or cooked): Nourishes Yin and invigorates blood

Si Wu Tang can nourish the blood, resulting in a rosy complexion and moisturized skin, and can alleviate the discomfort of cold hands and feet. However, due to its drying nature, it is not suitable for people with a hot constitution. In addition, the cooked Rehmannia in Four Substances Soup is not easily absorbed, White Peony Root may harm the stomach, and Angelica Sinensis has a lubricating effect on the intestines, making it unsuitable for those with gastrointestinal disorders.

Eight Treasures Soup/Ba Zhen Tang: A Good Formula for Nourishing Qi and Blood

Eight Treasures Soup/Ba Zhen Tang is a combination of Four Substances Soup/ Si Wu Tang and Four Gentlemen Soup/Si Jun Zi Tang (Ginseng, Atractylodes Macrocephala, Poria Cocos, Licorice), which not only nourishes the blood but also nourishes Qi, suitable for people with both Qi and blood deficiency, pale complexion, and fatigue. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine to promote blood circulation, enhance physical strength, and immunity.

Four Substances Soup/ Si Wu Tang: Nourishes blood

Four Gentlemen Soup/Si Jun Zi Tang: Nourishes Qi

Eight Treasures Soup is commonly used for post-illness recuperation to promote body recovery. However, it is not suitable for consumption during menstruation or colds, and those with a weak spleen and stomach need to be treated by a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner first.

Ten Essence Herbal Soup / Shi Quan Da Bu Tang: A Good Choice for Dispelling Cold and Nourishing

Ten Essence Herbal Soup / Shi Quan Da Bu Tang is based on Eight Treasures Soup/Ba Zhen Tang, with the addition of Huang Qi (Astragalus) and Rou Gui (Cinnamon), enhancing its effect of nourishing Qi and blood and dispelling cold. Its main functions are to nourish Qi and blood, dispel cold, suitable for people with a weak constitution, prone to catching colds, and feeling cold, as well as those needing to enhance their constitution.

Eight Treasures Soup: Nourishes Qi and blood

Huang Qi: Supplements Qi and lifts Yang

Rou Gui: Warms the middle and supplements Yang

Due to its outstanding nourishing effect, Ten Essence Herbal Soup / Shi Quan Da Bu Tang is beneficial for post-operative and post-illness weakness, especially suitable for the elderly and those with long-term fatigue and weakness. It is also a popular choice for dispelling cold during Malaysia's rainy season. Not only does it nourish Qi and blood, but it also warms the body, making it more effective than Eight Treasures Soup.

Common Questions and Answers

Are Four Substances Soup/ Si Wu Tang, Eight Treasures Soup/Ba Zhen Tang, and Ten Essence Herbal Soup / Shi Quan Da Bu Tang suitable for pregnant women?

Four Substances Soup/ Si Wu Tang, Eight Treasures Soup/Ba Zhen Tang, and Ten Essence Herbal Soup / Shi Quan Da Bu Tang contain some blood-invigorating ingredients or warm-tonifying herbs, which may have adverse effects on pregnant women, especially those in early pregnancy. Therefore, these three soups are generally not suitable for pregnant women. Pregnant women requiring physical conditioning should choose appropriate medications and dietary therapies under the guidance of a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner or obstetrician-gynecologist to ensure the safety of both mother and baby.

Can these soups be consumed together with other medications?

Four Substances Soup, Eight Treasures Soup/Ba Zhen Tang, and Ten Complete Supplement Soup can generally be consumed together with other medications, but caution is advised. When using other medications concurrently, avoid adverse interactions between drugs, pay attention to drug compatibility, follow medical advice, monitor bodily reactions, and ensure safe and effective treatment.

How can one determine if they are suitable for using these soups?

Determining whether these soups are suitable for use requires comprehensive consideration of individual health conditions, symptoms, and medical advice. Firstly, understand whether there are issues such as blood deficiency, Qi deficiency, or physical weakness, and whether there are symptoms such as fatigue, pale complexion, irregular menstruation, etc. Then, consult a doctor or traditional Chinese medicine practitioner to determine whether these soups are suitable for use based on individual circumstances, and follow medical advice to ensure treatment efficacy and safety.

In conclusion, Four Substances Soup, Eight Treasures Soup/Ba Zhen Tang, and Ten Essence Herbal Soup / Shi Quan Da Bu Tang are commonly seen medicinal soups in traditional Chinese medicine, especially popular during Malaysia's rainy season or colder weather. They have unique effects in nourishing Qi and blood, dispelling cold, and promoting warmth. Four Substances Soup mainly focuses on nourishing and invigorating blood, suitable for regulating menstruation, alleviating pain, and improving skin condition. Eight Treasures Soup nourishes Qi and blood, suitable for those with Qi and blood deficiency and fatigue. Ten Complete Supplement Soup, based on nourishing Qi and blood, enhances its effect in dispelling cold and promoting warmth, suitable for those with a weak constitution and cold intolerance. When choosing to use them, it's essential to consider individual health conditions, symptoms, and medical advice to ensure safety and effectiveness.