Traditional Chinese Medicine Healing Herbs(TCMHH)
Ask us

Prescriptions for Replenishing Yin

Zuo Gui Wan (左归丸): Classic TCM Formula

左归丸 Zuogui Wan
By the TCMHH editorial team Not medically reviewed How we work Updated 6 Oct 2026
Advertisement

Name

Bolus for Reinforcing the Kidney-Yin

The Prescription of 左归丸

Source

The book Jing Yue Quan Shu

Ingredients

Shu Di (Radix Rehmanniae Preparata) 240 g,Shan Yao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae) 120 g,Gou Qi (Fructus Lycii) 120 g,Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni) 120 g,Chuan Niu Xi (Radix Cyathulae) 90 g,Tu Si Zi (Semen Cuscutae) 120 g,Lu Jiao (Colla Cornus Cervi) 120 g,Gui Jiao (Colla Carapacis et Plastri Testudinis) 120 g.

Explanation

Shu Di: The principal drug, nourishing the kidney and supplementing essence.

Shan Zhu Yu, Gou Qi Zi, and Tu Si Zi: Tonifying the liver and kidney.

Shan Yao: Benefiting both the spleen and the kidney.

Gui Ban Jiao and Lu Jiao Jiao: Drastically tonifying blood and kidney-essence with

Lu Jiao Jiao's another action of warming Yang to generate Yin.

Niu Xi: Strengthening the muscles and bones.

The Effect of 左归丸

Effect

Nourishing and tonifying the kidney-Yin.

Indications

Syndrome due to deficiency of the kidney-Yin, marked by dizziness, vertigo, soreness and weakness of the loins and knees, spontaneous sweat and night sweat, dry mouth and throat, reddened tongue with little coating, and thready or rapid pulse; including such diseases with the above symptoms as chronic nephritis, renal tuberculosis and menopausal syndrome.

Administrations

All the ingredients are ground into powder and made with honey into boluses, each of which weighing 15 g. 1 bolus is taken each time on an empty stomach, twice daily in the morning andevening.

Prolonged taking of this bolus tends to cause the Qi or the spleen and stomach to be stagnated, for the prescription is mainly composed of Yin-soft natured drugs with the action of nourishing Yin. As a result, drugs with the action of promoting the flow of Qi and enlivening the spleen such as Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) and Sha Ren (Fructus Amomi) should be added when long-term use of it is needed.

Advertisement

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.

Spotted an error or a better source? Tell us — corrections are logged on our editorial policy page.

Did this article help you?

Your answer shapes what gets rewritten next.

👍 Yes, this helped 👎 No, something is missing

Keep readingRelated entries

Bushen Guchi Wan: Classic TCM Formula The Prescription of Bushen Guchi Wan Source Pharmacopoeia of China Ingredients Shu Di HuangSheng DiJi Xue TengZi He CheGu Sui BuLou LuDan ShenWu Wei ZiShan Ya Mingmu Dihuang Wan: Classic TCM Formula The Prescription of Mingmu Dihuang Wan Ingredients Shu Di Huang 160 g,Shan Zhu Yu 80 g,Mu Dan Pi 60 g,Gou Qi 60 g,Shan Yao 80 g,Fu Ling 60 g,Ze Xie 60 g,Ju Hu Da Bu Yin Wan (大补阴丸): Classic TCM Formula Bolus for Replenishing Vital Essence The Prescription of 大补阴丸 Source The book Dan Xi Xin Fa Ingredients Huang Bai (Cortex Phellodendri) 120 g,Zhi Mu (Rhizoma Yiguan Jian: Classic TCM Formula An Ever Effective Decoction for Nourishing the Liver and Kidney The Prescription of Yiguan Jian Source The book Liu Zhou Yi Hua Ingredients Bei Sha Shen (Radi

Something this article did not cover?

Ask us directly. We reply within two days, and good questions become public articles.

Ask a question →