Activation of the spleen is a therapeutic method of regulating the spleen and stomach and promoting transformation and transportation to restore the normal physiological functions of the spleen. This therapeutic method is of ten used to treat syndrome due to dysfunction of the spleen. It has the characteristics of tonifying without stagnating and impairing healthy qi. 

Activation of the spleen and reinforcement of the spleen (reinforcing the spleen qi, nourishing spleen blood, nourishing spleen yin and warming spleen yang) are relative, the former can be categorized into activating the spleen to resolve dampness, activating the spleen to promote appetite, regulating qi to promote transformation, and warming and activating the spleen yang. 

Clinically these therapeutic methods are used in coordination with other methods, such as nourishing the spleen and promoting digestion to remove stagnation. Activation of the spleen can be used extensively to treat disorders of the spleen and stomach, such as infantile anorexia, diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting and malnutrition. The compatibility of drugs in the application of this method is modified according to the pathological conditions of the patients.

(1) Activate Spleen to Resolve Dampness  

This method is used to treat the syndrome due to encumbering of the spleen by dampness marked by chest distress, anorexia, epigastric fullness, abdominal distension,greasy taste in the mouth without thirst, scanty urine and diarrhea as well as thick and greasy tongue fur. Cangzhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis) is the main drug used to activate the spleen by eliminating dampness and dispersing yang to remove turbidity because it tends to migrate. 

Other commonly used medicinal herbs are Huoxiang (Herba Agastachis), Peilan (Herba Eupatorii), Baidoukou (Semen Amomi Cardamoni), Banxia (Rhizoma pineltiae), Houpohua (Flos Magnoliae Officinalis), Dadouhuangjuan (Doujuan), Biandou (Semen Dotichoris) and Cheqianzi (Semen Plantaginis), etc. The commonly used prescription is Buhuanjin Zhengqi Powder.

(2) Activate Spleen to Promote Appetite  

This method is used to treat retention of food marked by abdominal distension, belching with putrid odor, nausea, anorexia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, foul stool with indigested material, restless sleep and dirty greasy tongue fur as well as improper feeding before the onset of the disease. 

The commonly-used medicinal herbs are Cangzhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis), Jiaoshanzha(carbonized Fructus Crataegi), Jineijin(Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli), Shenqu (Massa Fermentata Medicinalis), Guya (Fructus Oryzae Germinatus) and Maiya (Fructus hordei Germinatus), etc.. The commonly used prescriptions are Baohe Pill (Lenitive Pill) and Xiaoru Pill (Pill for Promoting Digestion of Milk).

(3) Regulate Qi to for Transformation

This method is used to treat the syndrome due to disorder of qi activity marked by retention of food, abdominal distension like tympanites, belching, abdominal pain which alleviate after defecation and breaking wind, thin whitish tongue. 

The commonly used medicinal herbs are Chenpi (Pericarpium Citri Reticutatae),  Muxiang (Radix Aucklandiae), Zhike ( Fructus Aurantii ), Binglang ( Semen Arecae ), Dafupi (Pericarpium Arecae), Dingxiang (Flos Caryophylli) and Laifuzi (Semen Raphani), etc..  The prescription used is Muxiang Binglang Pill (Pill of Aucklandia and Areca Seed).

(4) Warm and activate Spleen Yang  

This method is used to treat inactivation of spleen yang marked by sallow complexion, dispiritedness, aversion to cold, fatigue, cold abdominal pain, poor appetite, postcibal distention, drooling, loose stool, clear profuse urine, pale tongue, and thin whitish tongue fur. 

The commonly used medicinal herbs are Paojiang (baked ginger), Cangzhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis), Roudoukou(Semen Myristicae), Caodoukou (Semen Alpiniae Katsumadai), Sharen (Fructus Amomi), Yizhiren (Fructus Alpiniae Oxyphyllae), etc.. The prescription used is Fuzi Lizhong Pill (Pill of Aconit Root for Regulating Middle Energizer).

(5) Invigorate Qi for Transformation 

This method is used to treat failure of the spleen in transportation and transformation due to asthenia marked by lusterless complexion, emaciation, lusterless hair, dispiritedness, lassitude, susceptibility to sweating, anorexia, loose stool, liability to diarrhea after meal, pale tongue and thin whitish fur. 

The commonly used medicinal herbs are Dangshen (Radix Codonopsis Pilosulae ), Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae ), Shanyao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae ), Cangzhu(Rhizoma Atractylodis), Fuling (Poria), Chenpi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae), Jiaoshanzha (carbonized Fructus Crataegi) and Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae), etc.. The prescriptions used are yigong Powder (Powder with Marvelous Effect) and Zisheng Jianpi Pill.

(6) Nourish Stomach for Transformation 

This method is used to treat insufficiency of stomach yin marked by retention of food, dry mouth, preference for drinking water, disturbed sleep, retention of dry feces, scanty brownish urine, feverish palms and soles, dry lips, reddish tongue with deficient moist, scanty or patched tongue fur. 

The commonly used medicinal herbs are Maimengdong (Radix Ophiopogonis), Shashen (Radix Glehniae), Biandou (Semen Dolichoris), Baishaoyao (Radix Paeonia Alba), Wumei(Fructus Mume), Shihu(Herba Dendrobii), Fuling (Poria),  Xiangyuanpi (Cortex Citri), Guya (Fructus Oryzae Germinatus) and Jineijin (Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli), etc.. The prescription used is Yangwei Zengye Decoction (Decoction for Nourishing the Stomach to Promote the Production of Body Fluid).