Prescriptions for Replenishing Yin
Liuwei Dihuang Wan: Classic TCM Formula
Name
Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Pills of Six Ingredients with Chinese Foxglove Root)
Source
The book Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue
Ingredients
- Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Preparata) 24 g
- Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni) 12 g
- Shan Yao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae) 12 g
- Ze Xie (Rhizoma Alismatis) 9 g
- Fu Ling (Poria) 9 g
- Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan) 9 g
Explanation
- Shu Di is the principal drug. It nourishes the kidney and replenishes essence.
- Shan Zhu Yu warms and tonifies the kidney and liver and arrests seminal emission.
- Shan Yao reinforces the kidney and benefits the spleen. Together with Shu Di and Shan Zhu Yu it enriches all three of the yin.
- Ze Xie purges fire from the kidney and prevents Shu Di from causing stagnation of qi through its tonic and sticky nature.
- Dan Pi clears away pathogenic fire in the liver and restrains the warm nature of Shan Zhu Yu.
- Fu Ling induces diuresis and co-benefits the spleen, assisting Shan Yao in strengthening it.
Nature and action
It nourishes and tonifies the liver and kidney.
Indications
Yin deficiency marked by weakness and soreness of the loins and knees, dizziness and vertigo, tinnitus and deafness, night sweating and seminal emission, or hectic fever due to bone-steaming, a feverish sensation in the palms and soles, a reddened tongue with little coating, and a thready, rapid pulse. It is also applied in diseases carrying these signs and symptoms, such as pulmonary tuberculosis, renal tuberculosis, chronic pyelonephritis, hypertension and menopausal syndrome.
Dosage and administration
All the ingredients are ground into a fine powder and made into boluses with honey, each weighing 15 g. An adult takes one bolus three times daily. This formula may also be used as a decoction, with the quantities of the ingredients reduced in proportion to the same ratio.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
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