Bai Hu Jia Ren Shen Tang — White Tiger plus Ginseng Decoction

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

Bai Hu Jia Ren Shen Tang — “White Tiger plus Ginseng Decoction” — is from Zhang Zhongjing’s Shang Han Lun. It adds Ren Shen to Bai Hu Tang for the clinical picture where intense Heat has already damaged Qi and fluids: the patient has the Bai Hu Tang signs of high fever, severe thirst and sweating, but is now noticeably exhausted, with a weak pulse beneath the surging quality. Plain Bai Hu Tang would not address the depletion; Ren Shen tonifies Qi and generates fluids so the cooling action can succeed without further injuring the patient.

I prescribe Bai Hu Jia Ren Shen Tang as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Bai Hu Jia Ren Shen Tang is prescribed for intense Heat that has damaged Qi and fluids:

• High fever, profuse sweating, severe thirst
• Marked exhaustion, fatigue, breathlessness
• Drinking constantly without relieving thirst
• Dry mouth, tongue and skin
• Possible delirium from fluid exhaustion
• Tongue — dry, red, possibly with peeled coat
• Pulse — surging but empty, or thin and rapid

Key herbs

1. Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum, 30–100g) — chief; clears intense Qi-level Heat
2. Zhi Mu (Rx. Anemarrhenae, 6–15g) — nourishes Yin; clears Heat
3. Geng Mi (rice, 9–15g) — protects Stomach Qi
4. Zhi Gan Cao (Rx. Glycyrrhizae Preparata, 3–6g) — harmonises
5. Ren Shen (Rx. Ginseng, 3–9g) — tonifies Qi; generates fluids; addresses the depletion

Formula actions

1. Clears intense Qi-level Heat
2. Tonifies Qi and generates fluids
3. Addresses simultaneous Heat-excess and Qi-fluid deficiency

Conditions treated

1. Severe acute febrile illness with exhaustion and severe thirst
2. Heatstroke recovery phase with depleted Qi and fluids
3. Diabetic-type thirst (Xiao Ke) with intense thirst and emaciation
4. Severe acute hyperthyroid crisis with high fever and exhaustion (alongside conventional care)
5. Severe acute infections in depleted patients with Bai Hu Tang signs plus exhaustion

Cautions

Use Ren Shen at appropriate dose — in acute febrile use, a stronger dose than usual is needed.

Severe heatstroke, hyperthyroid crisis or any severe acute febrile illness requires hospital care.

Not appropriate for early-stage Bai Hu Tang patterns without depletion — use plain Bai Hu Tang.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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