Which herbs comprise Si Jun Zi Tang?

• A. Ren Shen 3-9, Bai Zhu 6-9, Fu Ling 6-9, Zhi Gan Cao 3-6
• B. Ren Shen 3-9, Bai Zhu 3-6, Fu Ling 6-9, Zhi Gan Cao 6-9
• C. Ren Shen 3-9, Bai Zhu 6-9, Fu Ling 3-6, Zhi Gan Cao 3-6
• D. Ren Shen 6-12, Bai Zhu 6-9, Fu Ling 6-9, Zhi Gan Cao 3-6

Answer: (D)

Si Jun Zi Tang is the Four Gentlemen, a foundational formula that tonifies qi and strengthens the spleen. The main idea is to lift the patient’s deficient qi and support digestive function through a balanced pairing of herbs: Ren Shen provides the primary qi-boosting force; Bai Zhu nourishes and stabilizes the spleen, helping to transform dampness and improve appetite; Fu Ling drains dampness and further supports the spleen’s function; Gan Cao harmonizes the formula and moderates the effects of the other herbs so the blend works smoothly together.

The dosing pattern that matches this concept uses Ren Shen in a higher range to provide solid qi tonification, with Bai Zhu and Fu Ling in mid-to-high ranges to reinforce spleen function and dampness resolution, and Gan Cao in a lower range to harmonize without overpowering. Therefore Ren Shen 6-12 g, Bai Zhu 6-9 g, Fu Ling 6-9 g, and Gan Cao 3-6 g fits this approach best, making it the most appropriate choice. Other dosing patterns either reduce Ren Shen or underrepresent Bai Zhu and Fu Ling, which weakens the formula’s qi-raising and damp-resolving effects.