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Treats conditions of extreme deficiency of Yuan Qi (Original Qi), syncope, and a pulse that is faint and nearly imperceptible. It also treats women suffering from metrorrhagia or postpartum hemorrhage leading to blood-loss syncope.
Use Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix). The dosage should be adjusted according to the patient's constitution and syndrome. One must select high-quality, raw-dried Rhizoma Ginseng, decoct it strongly, and administer it in one dose. Once the Yuan Qi gradually recovers, modify the prescription according to the specific syndrome.

[Collected Annotations] Ke Qin stated: When the safety of a generation rests on one person, one must grant them significant authority and rely on them exclusively; when a single herb determines life and death for an individual, one should increase its dosage and use it alone. Therefore, in critical syndromes where Qi is about to cease and Blood is about to collapse, using two liang of Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) alone, decocted strongly and administered in one dose, can rescue life within moments. No other herb can replace it. Practitioners today often fear that tonification might trap pathogenic factors, so they test it with small doses or add draining herbs to restrain it. This dilutes its authority and focus; how can patients survive relying on such weak measures? Ancient formulas like Pili San (Thunderbolt Powder) and Dabu Wan (Great Tonifying Pill) both utilize the strength of a single herb to achieve rapid effects. What doubt remains regarding Dushen Tang (Single Ginseng Decoction)?

[Commentary] If the illness involves additional etiologies, one must adapt flexibly. In Dushen Tang (Single Ginseng Decoction), one may add Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Lateral Root) to warm Yang and reverse cold extremities, or add Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root) to cool Yin and stop hematemesis and epistaxis, or add Huang Qi (Astragalus Root) to consolidate the exterior and stop sweating, or add Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root) to rescue from blood collapse, or add Jiang Zhi (Ginger Juice) to eliminate vomiting, or add Tong Bian (Child's Urine) to stop yin-deficiency vexation, or add Fu Ling (Poria) to promote water metabolism and generate fluids to treat polydipsia and diarrhea, or add Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome) to descend rebellious fire to treat dysentery with inability to swallow. These are complementary and mutually enhancing methods; how does this hinder its designation as "single" (Du)? For instance, Xue Ji treated stroke by adding approximately one liang of Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) to Sansheng Yin (Three Lives Decoction) to control the pathogen. This is truly a masterful use of Dushen Tang (Single Ginseng Decoction).

Treats syndromes of sudden collapse of Yin, Yang, Qi, and Blood.
Use Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) and Zhi Fu Zi (Prepared Aconite Lateral Root). Decoct in water and take orally.

[Annotation] That which exists prior to the body is called Xiantian (Pre-heaven/Innate); that which arises after the body is formed is called Houtian (Post-heaven/Acquired). Xiantian Qi resides in the Kidney and is endowed by parents; Houtian Qi resides in the Spleen and is transformed from food and drink. Xiantian Qi is the substance of Qi; substance is characterized by stillness. Thus, while in the womb, the fetus relies on maternal respiration to nourish its vital Qi, resulting in stored spirit and quiet mechanisms. Houtian Qi is the function of Qi; function is characterized by movement. Thus, after form is developed, it relies on food and drink to sustain the body, resulting in active spirit and movement. Heaven and Earth act in harmony, and the two Qi interact. Therefore, when Houtian Qi receives support from Xiantian Qi, life continues unceasingly; when Xiantian Qi receives nourishment from Houtian Qi, transformation becomes infinite. Negligence in daily routine injures the Kidney, causing deficiency of Xiantian Qi. Unclean diet injures the Spleen, causing deficiency of Houtian Qi. To tonify Houtian Qi, nothing surpasses Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix); to tonify Xiantian Qi, nothing surpasses Fu Zi (Prepared Aconite Lateral Root). This is the rationale for establishing Shenfu Tang (Ginseng and Aconite Decoction). Based on the severity of deficiency in these two organs, Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) and Fu Zi (Prepared Aconite Lateral Root) serve as the sovereign herbs. These two herbs complement each other; when used appropriately, they can instantaneously generate Qi from non-existence and rapidly produce Yang within the Mingmen (Gate of Life). This is the most swift and effective formula. If there is spontaneous sweating due to exterior deficiency, substitute Fu Zi (Prepared Aconite Lateral Root) with Huang Qi (Astragalus Root) to create Renshen Huangqi Tang (Ginseng and Astragalus Decoction), which tonifies Qi and stops sweating. If Yin collapses due to blood loss, substitute Fu Zi (Prepared Aconite Lateral Root) with Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root) to create Renshen Shengdi Huang Tang (Ginseng and Rehmannia Decoction), which consolidates Qi and rescues Yin. If cold-dampness causes cold extremities and sweating, substitute Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) with Bai Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome) to create Zhufu Tang (Atractylodes and Aconite Decoction), which drains dampness and warms the interior. If Qi deficiency causes cold extremities and sweating, substitute Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) with Huang Qi (Astragalus Root) to create Qifu Tang (Astragalus and Aconite Decoction), which tonifies Yang and consolidates the exterior. These are all variations of Shenfu Tang (Ginseng and Aconite Decoction). Physicians who expand upon these principles cannot fully describe their subtleties.