Chronic fatigue can be treated with 'Ssang Hwa-Tang'

Long-term use helps with the production of immune substances and prevention of infectious diseases.

Derived from ‘Ssanghwa (쌍화, 雙和, shuāng hé),’ meaning the harmony of yin and yang.

In an age overflowing with modern cafés, I’m reminded of the old teahouses where you’d warm your hands by the stove while waiting for someone you missed. Back then, you’d casually order a morning coffee with a raw egg floating on top, or a cup of Ssanghwa-cha. Ssanghwa-tang has already become common knowledge as a popular remedy for fatigue.

Despite its significant value as a medicinal formula, it is still treated merely as a tea—something worth reconsidering. Moreover, one has to wonder how much pure herbal medicine actually goes into the Ssanghwa-tang sold like an energy drink at pharmacies, the Ssanghwa-cha served in teahouses, or even the medicinal herbs freely added to food. Do people really know their efficacy or what they are consuming?

The term Ssanghwa originates from the idea that the qualities of yin and yang are equally combined to achieve harmony, and it also conveys the meaning of harmonizing vital energy (qi) and blood circulation. Its primary effect is to support liver function and overcome fatigue, while also promoting blood production and circulation. Composed of nine medicinal herbs—including those that protect the body and restore vitality, nourish the stomach, and neutralize medicinal toxicity—it helps the body readily produce bioactive substances, thereby actively stimulating metabolism.

In addition, it alleviates fatigue and lower back pain caused by excessive sexual activity and helps stop cold sweats. It is also effective in cases of overwork or intense exam preparation, when one suffers from body aches, feels chills, and experiences heavy, lethargic limbs despite not having a high fever.

Although its diaphoretic and antipyretic effects are mild, it strongly warms and protects the body while boosting physical strength. When taken over a long period by people who tire easily or frequently catch colds, it stimulates the body to produce immune-enhancing substances, providing strong defense against infectious diseases invading from outside.

However, it may aggravate heat in those who already have excessive internal heat, and in people with weak digestion it can slow digestion and cause a feeling of fullness, so it should be consumed selectively. Even a good medicine can be harmful if it does not suit one’s constitution and symptoms.

Ssanghwa-tang: A Renowned Remedy for Managing Chronic Fatigue.

Ssanghwa-tang is also a well-known remedy for chronic fatigue. It is effective even for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), in which extreme exhaustion makes it difficult to manage not only work but also daily life. CFS was first reported in the United States and was initially treated almost exclusively as a case of the common cold, as symptoms resemble those of a cold, such as fever or body swelling.

Over time, fatigue gradually accumulates throughout the body, accompanied by headaches and pain in lymph nodes and muscles. In more severe cases, even 30 minutes of work can lead to a level of fatigue that feels as if one has been working all day. Eventually, sleep disturbances develop, memory declines, and the person remains in a constant state of low motivation and lethargy.

Of course, not all fatigue qualifies as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). According to Japan’s Ministry of Health, CFS is considered when severe fatigue—so intense that one cannot manage household chores even after taking a few days off—persists or recurs for more than six months.

Although no clear cause has been identified, it is believed that various viruses normally present in the body can trigger the syndrome when the body is weakened and resistance or immunity drops. The U.S. National Institute of Mental Health has also suggested that hormones released in response to stress may play a role, though this is not definitive.

Since the causes are diverse, treatment methods vary, but traditional herbal medicines, including Ssanghwa-tang, are considered representative therapeutic options.

The remarkable therapeutic effects of Ssanghwa-tang stem from the synergistic effects of two fundamental herbal formulas: Hwang gi Geonjung-tang and Samul-tang.

Hwang gi Geonjung-tang (황기건중탕, 黃耆建中湯, Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang): This formula focuses on replenishing Qi (vital energy) and strengthening the middle burner (digestive system). It enhances the body's metabolic functions, generating vitality and helping to overcome physical fatigue.

Samul-tang (사물탕, 四物湯, Si Wu Tang): Known as the "standard prescription for blood deficiency," this formula supplies essential nutrients to the body, nourishes the organs, and improves blood circulation.

Synergistic effect: In traditional Korean medicine, it is said that "Qi governs blood, and blood is the source of Qi." By combining these two formulas, Ssanghwa-tang simultaneously replenishes both energy and nutrients, restoring balance to a body exhausted by chronic fatigue and overwork.

"In addition to Ssanghwa-tang, another major formula for treating Qi and Blood Deficiency is Pal Mul Tang (Eight-Substance Decoction, 팔물탕, Ba Wu Tang). It combines Si Wu Tang, the representative formula for nourishing blood, with Si Jun Zi Tang (사군자탕, 四君子湯), the representative formula for tonifying qi. As the name suggests, it contains eight precious herbs that serve as fundamental treasures for the human body.

Bawu-tang is the quintessential formula for the dual deficiency of Qi and Blood. By boosting metabolic function and nourishing the blood, it provides a comprehensive solution for patients suffering from general debility, a pale complexion, and loss of appetite.

Photo by Sehoon Ye on Unsplash