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Treats conditions where heat pathogen damages the primordial Qi (Yuan Qi, 原气), presenting with shortness of breath, fatigue and lassitude, thirst, and sweating.
Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus) are decocted in water and taken orally.

[Annotation] The *Classic of Difficult Issues* states: "The Great Qi accumulates in the chest, and it is governed by the Lung." Heat and summer-heat pathogens injure the Lung; when the Lung is injured, its Qi is also damaged. Therefore, there is shortness of breath, fatigue and lassitude, and wheezing with cough. The Lung governs the skin and hair; when the Lung is injured, it loses its protective function over the exterior, resulting in sweating. Heat damages the primordial Qi; when Qi is damaged, it cannot generate body fluids, leading to thirst. In this formula, Ren Shen serves as the Sovereign herb to tonify Qi, which effectively tonifies Lung Qi. Mai Men Dong serves as the Minister herb to clear heat, which effectively clears Lung heat. Wu Wei Zi serves as the Assistant herb to astringe dissipating Qi, which effectively astringes Lung Qi. Wu Kun stated: "One tonifies, one clears, one astringes; the method of nourishing Qi is complete." It is named "Sheng Mai Yin" (Pulse-Generating Decoction) because the pulse becomes full and robust when supported by Qi, and weak when Qi is lost. Li Gao said: "Taking Sheng Mai Yin monthly, added with Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) and Gan Cao (Licorice Radix), is called 'Sheng Mai Bao Yuan Tang' (Pulse-Generating and Primordial-Preserving Decoction), which causes physical strength to surge forth; adding Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) and Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba) makes it 'Ren Shen Yin Zi' (Ginseng Drink), used to treat asthma and cough due to Qi deficiency, hematemesis, and epistaxis. This is also an example where deficient fire can be treated by tonification."

This is a general formula for treating Qi deficiency in both men and women. It is most suitable for infants suffering from fright and timidity, and for patients with smallpox who have a deficient constitution.
Huang Qi three qian, Ren Shen two qian, Gan Cao one qian, Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark) two or three fen in spring and summer, six or seven fen in autumn and winter. The above four herbs are decocted in water and taken orally.

[Collected Annotations] Ke Qin stated: "In the past, Li Dongyuan believed that these three herbs [referring to Ginseng, Atractylodes, and Licorice in the context of Si Jun Zi Tang, though here applied differently] could purge fire, tonify Metal (Lung), and cultivate Earth (Spleen). They are holy medicines for eliminating vexation and heat, capable of calming infantile fright, with efficacy as immediate as striking a drum." Wei Guiyan utilized this approach to treat smallpox cases characterized by Yang deficiency leading to sunken pustule tops, Blood deficiency leading to thin pus, thin skin with itching, and difficulty in filling and healing. He consistently used this formula throughout the course of treatment. He believed that when Blood is depleted, Qi must be tonified; when Yang generates, Yin grows. It possesses the power to revive the dying, hence the name 'Bao Yuan' (Preserving Primordial Qi). Slightly assisted by Rou Gui, the dosage is adjusted according to the seasonal Qi. It is said that Cinnamon can regulate Blood to push out toxins, support Yang, and benefit Qi to reach the whole body. If Blood stagnates internally, guiding it to the exterior allows Qi to support from within; if Blood scatters externally, guiding it back to its root allows Qi to protect from without. Ren Shen and Huang Qi cannot achieve their effects independently without the guidance of Rou Gui. Rou Gui cannot organize its properties without Gan Cao to harmonize Qi and Blood. This is certainly not something that those with shallow knowledge can glimpse even a fraction of. In Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction), Bai Zhu is omitted to avoid dryness; Fu Ling is omitted to prevent excessive draining. Rou Gui is used instead of Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction) because Chuan Xiong is acrid and dispersing, Dang Gui is moistening, Bai Shao is sour and cold, and Di Huang is cloying and stagnant. If lifting is needed, add Sheng Ma and Chai Hu; if drying is needed, add Fu Ling and Bai Zhu; if moistening is needed, add Dang Gui; if moving Qi is needed, add Chen Pi; if astringing is needed, add Bai Shao; if dispersing is needed, add Chuan Xiong. Furthermore, if the Exterior is excess, remove Huang Qi; if the Interior is excess, remove Ren Shen; if there is fullness in the Middle Jiao, avoid sweet herbs; if there is internal heat, remove Rou Gui. These points require careful understanding.

[Commentary] Primordial Qi (Yuan Qi) is the Qi of the Great Void. Humans receive it, and it resides in the Kidney, serving as Pre-heaven Qi. It is what is referred to as the "Source of Life," specifically the Moving Qi between the Kidneys. Post-heaven Qi is generated by the Spleen. It refers to the essence derived from food and drink entering the Stomach: its Nutritive Qi (Ying Qi) circulates within the vessels to provide nourishment, and its Defensive Qi (Wei Qi) circulates outside the vessels. When combining Pre-heaven and Post-heaven, it refers to the Zong Qi (Gathering Qi) that accumulates in the chest, governs respiration, connects the interior and exterior, circulates throughout the body without interruption. In summary, various types of Qi are named according to their location, but they are essentially one Primordial Qi. "Bao Yuan" means preserving this Primordial Qi. This formula uses Huang Qi to preserve all Qi on the exterior, Gan Cao to preserve all Qi in the Middle Jiao, and Ren Shen to preserve all Qi in the Upper, Middle, Lower, Interior, and Exterior. When all Qi is regulated, Primordial Qi becomes sufficient. However, while this decoction is abundant in supplementing Post-heaven Qi from food and drink, it is insufficient in generating Pre-heaven Qi from the Gate of Vitality (Ming Men). Adding Rou Gui to stimulate the Moving Qi between the Kidneys makes it complete.