Properties: Sweet, salty, warm
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Kidney and Large Intestine
Extraordinary Vessels: Chong, Du
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Tonifies the Kidneys, strengthens Yang, benefits Jing and marrow and warms the Womb
Kidney Yang Deficiency with impotence, spermatorrhea, urinary incontinence, post-urinary dripping and Cold pain in the lower back and knees
Cold from Deficiency of the Womb with infertility, excessive uterine bleeding or vaginal discharge
- Moistens the Intestines and facilitates the passage of stool
Constipation due to dry Intestines from inadequate fluids in elderly or debilitated people or people with Deficient Qi or Blood (with a large dosage, it can be used as a stand-alone herb)
- Aids fasting
Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the middle class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, make the body light. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生).
Suggested Daily Dosage: 6-21g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with effulgent fire, stagnation of excess heat, and loose stool because it can tonify yang and smooth stool.
Interactions:
- Sympathomimetics, MAOIs, SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants: Increases the activities of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin in the hypothalamus and so may have additive effect.
Notable Constituents: Taken from
Li et al (2016):
- Acteoside
Glycoside that functions as a neuroprotective agent, an antileishmanial agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, a plant metabolite and an antibacterial agent.
- Echinacoside
Typically known as the main phenolic component in the roots of Echinacea angustifolia, widely used for its immunoregulation properties, but also demonstrates protection against neuronal apoptosis.
Notes:
In addition Li et al (2016) reviewed material that said unidentified constituents could increase sex hormone levels by inducing testicular steroidogenic enzymes, prevent adrenal cortical atrophy and prevent bone loss caused by ovarian hormone deficiency.
Appears in 24 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
Bu Shen Huo Xue Tang (Tonify the Kidney and Invigorate Blood Decocotion)
From: The Great Compendium of Traumatology by Zhao Lian (1891)
Bu Shen Zhi Chan Tang (Tonify the Kidneys to Stop Tremors Decoction)
From: Encephalopathy Department, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine by Wentao Li
Bu Yi Jiu (Supplementing and Boosting Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Cong Rong Qiang Zhuang Jiu (Cistanches Strengthening Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Da Zao Wan (Great Creation Pill)
From: Collected Treatises of Jing-Yue by Zhang Jie Bin / Zhang Jing Yue (1624)
Di Huang Yin Zi (Rehmannia Drink)
From: Comprehensive Recording of Sagely Beneficence from the Zhenghe Era (1117) by Song Imperial Court
Er Dong Er Di Jiu (Two Winters Two Earths Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Fu Ling Ju Hua Jiu (Poria and Chrysanthemum Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Huan Shao Dan (Rejuvenation Special Pill)
From: Hong's Collection of Experimental Formulas (1170)
Huang Qi Du Zhong Jiu (Astragalus and Eucommia Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Ji Chuan Jian (Benefit the Flow Decoction)
From: Collected Treatises of Jing-Yue by Zhang Jie Bin / Zhang Jing Yue (1624)
Ju Qi Tiao Yuan Jiu (Chrysanthemum and Lycium Regulate the Primal Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Kang Zhuang Jiu (Robust Health Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Niu Xi Ren Shen Jiu (Achyranthes and Ginseng Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Pi Shen Liang Zhu Jiu (Spleen and Kidney Dual Assisting Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Shan Zhu Cong Rong Jiu (Dioscorea, Cornus and Cistanches Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Shi Hu Ye Guang Wan (Dendrobium Pill for Night Vision)
From: Experiental Formulas from the Auspicious Balmboo Hall (1326)
Wu Bi Shan Yao Wan (Incomparable Discorea Pill)
From: Important Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces by Sun Si Miao (650)
Wu Zi Tang (Five Seed Decoction)
From: Therapeutic Experiences of Pu Fu-Zhou (1976) by Pu Fu-Zhou
Xuan Fei Run Chang Tang (Disseminate the Lung and Moisten the Intestines Decoction)
From: Case Histories of Cheng Men-Xue (2002) by Cheng Men-Xue
Yi Shen Ming Mu Jiu (Boost the Kidneys and Brighten the Eyes Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Yi Shou Jiu (Boosting Longevity Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Zan Yu Dan (Special Pill to Aid Fertility)
From: Collected Treatises of Jing-Yue by Zhang Jie Bin / Zhang Jing Yue (1624)
Zhu Jing Wan (Preserve the Vision Pill)
From: Essential Subtleties on the Silver Sea by Unknown, attributed to Sun Si Miao (Maybe composed in the Song - Ming Dynasty, published ~1579)
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, has been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
