From the perspective of methods, tonifying can be divided into spiritual tonifying, dietary tonifying, medicinal tonifying, massage tonifying, and moxibustion tonifying.
In terms of qi and blood, yin and yang, there are different types of deficiency patterns such as qi deficiency, blood deficiency, qi and blood deficiency, yin deficiency, yang deficiency, and yin-yang deficiency.
In terms of organs, there are also different types. Based on the different effects of tonifying deficiency patterns, it can be divided into tonifying yang (also known as strengthening yang), tonifying yin (also known as nourishing yin), dual tonifying of yin and yang, tonifying qi (also known as benefiting qi), tonifying blood (also known as nourishing blood), and dual tonifying of qi and blood. Based on different deficiency patterns of organs, there are tonifying kidney, invigorating spleen, tonifying lungs, nourishing heart, and nourishing liver. In practical application, since deficiency patterns often manifest as more than one pattern and can influence and transform each other, the tonifying methods may not be exactly the same, but they still revolve around tonifying qi and blood, yin and yang, and organs.
In terms of medicinal and dietary tonifying, based on the nature of food and medicine, it can be classified as warm tonifying, clear tonifying, and neutral tonifying. Based on the strength and intensity of the tonifying effect, it can be classified as strong tonifying and gentle tonifying. Generally, dietary tonifying is more gentle and requires a longer time to see results, while medicinal tonifying has a stronger effect and faster results but is more difficult to control. Generally, dietary tonifying is preferred as it can achieve good results. Foods used for neutral and clear tonifying include grains, legumes, fish, vegetables, and fruits.
In terms of the form of medicinal and dietary tonifying, it can be divided into single ingredient tonifying, such as taking sliced ginseng, powdered Cordyceps, and brewing Eucommia ulmoides tea.
Some tonifying methods involve using multiple ingredients, such as tonifying formulas like Shengmai Yin, which is designed for heart qi deficiency and heart yin deficiency; Si Jun Zi Tang, which can tonify the spleen and qi; and Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, which has a good effect on kidney yin deficiency. In addition to the compatibility of medicines, some tonifying methods also combine food and medicine, such as Cordyceps stewed with duck and Angelica and Rehmannia lamb soup.
Medicinal tonifying can be made into various dosage forms, such as brewing tea, decoction, and making pills and ointments. Dietary tonifying can be made into various medicinal diets, with the most common being various medicinal porridges.
