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Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) harmonizes and benefits Ying (Nutritive Qi) and Wei (Defensive Qi), nourishing Qi and Blood. It treats irregular menstruation due to disharmony of the Chong (Penetrating Vessel) and Ren (Conception Vessel), pain in the umbilical and abdominal regions, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis (heavy or prolonged uterine bleeding outside of regular periods), fetal restlessness due to improper management, postpartum conditions where deficiency allows Wind-Cold to invade internally causing lochia stasis, hardness and pain in the lower abdomen, and alternating chills and fever; it is also suitable for men suffering from fever due to deficiency of Essence and Blood. Generally speaking, women take Blood as their foundation, while Qi serves as the root of Blood; when Qi flows smoothly, Blood circulates freely, but when Qi stagnates, Blood becomes stagnant and lifeless. Therefore, to treat Blood disorders, one must first regulate Qi. Men take Essence as their foundation, while Blood serves as the root of Essence; when Blood is abundant, Essence is strong, but when Blood is depleted, Essence becomes exhausted. Therefore, to tonify Essence, one must first tonify Blood. Thus, these two formulas are applicable to both men and women.

Baishao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) 2.5 qian: soothes tension and breaks blood stasis; abdominal pain cannot be relieved without it. It enters the Heart Meridian and should be doubled in summer. Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) 2 qian: moistens the Middle Jiao and harmonizes Blood; stabbing pain like a knife cannot be relieved without it. It enters the Kidney Meridian and should be doubled in winter. Shudihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Preparata) 2.5 qian: nourishes Yin and generates Blood; umbilical pain cannot be relieved without it. It enters the Lung Meridian and is best doubled in autumn; this is added for men. Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong) 2 qian: clears Yang, harmonizes Blood, and promotes Blood circulation; headache cannot be relieved without it. It enters the Liver Meridian and should be doubled in spring; women should also double the dose. Decoct with water and take warm. Regular use helps adapt to the seasonal Qi. If symptoms persist despite correct indication, it is due to a lack of auxiliary herbs. For Wind, add Qianghuo (Radix Notopterygii) and Fangfeng (Radix Saposhnikoviae); for Heat, add Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae); for Dryness, add Tianmendong (Herba Asparagi); for Cold, add Guixin (Cortex Cinnamomi); for Yin deficiency with Fire hyperactivity, add Zhimu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae) and Huangbai (Cortex Phellodendri); for cough, add a small amount of Erchen Tang (Two Aged Decoction); for elderly persons with irritable temper and fatigue causing leg pain, add Taoren (Semen Persicae), Chenpi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae), Niuxi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae), and Sheng Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata), grind with Shengjiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens) to dissipate heat secretly; three to four doses bring relief. For poor, overworked individuals in late autumn with whole-body fever and limb pain resembling needle pricks, lighter by day and heavier by night, double Chuanxiong and Baishao, add Renshen (Radix Ginseng) and Wuweizi (Fructus Schisandrae). If wheezing occurs with persistent limb pain, add Niuxi, Renshen, Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), Taoren, Chenpi, Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae), Binglang (Semen Arecae), and Shengjiang; fifty doses bring relief. For irritable individuals consuming rich flavors who regularly take hot and drying herbs, if red spots appear on the left hypochondrium with pain indicating internal abscess, add Jiegeng (Radix Platycodonis), Xiangfu (Rhizoma Cyperi), and Shengjiang; decoct and take ten to twelve doses until swelling at the painful site appears, then lance to drain pus, followed by several doses for regulation and recovery. For poor women with irritable temper and profuse bleeding leading to extreme fatigue, add Xiangfu and Ce Bai Ye (Cacumen Platycladi); after four doses, thirst may occur, but continuing alone for ten to twelve doses brings relief. For pregnant women experiencing aphonia (loss of voice), add Xiaoshi (Natrii Sulfas) and Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei) each 1 qian, with a little honey; sip cold occasionally to descend Heart Fire, thereby clearing Lung Metal, restoring speech. Other modifications follow herb properties and reference the Women's Department. Furthermore, Xijiao Dihuang Tang (Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia Decoction) and Danggui Hexue San (Angelica Blood-Harmonizing Powder), all methods of tonifying, warming, generating, cooling, stopping, moving, breaking, and resolving accumulated Blood, evolve from this formula.

Bawu Tang (Eight Substances Decoction) treats combined deficiency of Qi and Blood and is generally used for various ailments in men and women, as well as for childhood exanthems and smallpox. It combines Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) and Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction), decocted with water and taken warm. Modifications are the same as above. If phlegm is present, combine with Erchen Tang (Two Aged Decoction), named Bawu Erchen Tang (Eight Substances Two Aged Decoction). Formulas such as Renshen Yangrong Tang (Ginseng Nourishing Nutritive Qi Decoction), Shiquan Dabu Tang (Ten Complete Great Tonifying Decoction), and Zhengqi Buxu Tang (Upright Qi Tonifying Deficiency Decoction) all evolve from this formula.