Properties: Sweet, slightly cold
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Stomach and Kidney
Extraordinary Vessels: Dai
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Nourishes Yin, clears Heat and generates fluids
Parched mouth, severe thirst or intractable fever associated with Yin Deficiency, most commonly when the Fluids are injured during a warm pathogen disease
- Enriches Kidney Yin and reduces Heat from Deficiency
Yin Deficiency Heat and depleted Fluids with a recalcitrant low-grade fever, dry and painful throat and a red tongue with no coat
- Tonifies the Kidneys, augments Jing, brightens the eyes, strengthens the tendons and bones and strengthens the low back
Dull vision, dizziness and low back weakness and pain associated with Kidney and Liver Deficiency
- Nourishes Stomach and Lung Yin
Stomach and Lung Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire Rising
- Aids fasting
Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, fortifty the Stomach and Intestines, make the body light and prolong life. 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: 10-15g in decoction, double if fresh.
Appears in 19 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
Bu Jing Yi Lao Jiu (Supplement the Essence and Strengthen the Elderly Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Chu Shi Zhu Yang Jiu (Mulberry Reinforcing Yang Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Cong Zi Jiu (Onion Seed Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Dan Shen Shi Hu Jiu (Salvia and Dendrobium Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Di Huang Yin Zi (Rehmannia Drink)
From: A Simple Book of Formulas (1191) by Wang Shuo
Di Huang Yin Zi (Rehmannia Drink)
From: Comprehensive Recording of Sagely Beneficence from the Zhenghe Era (1117) by Song Imperial Court
Fu Ling Ju Hua Jiu (Poria and Chrysanthemum Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Gan Lu Yin (Sweet Dew Drink)
From: Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People of the Taiping Era by Tai Yi Ju (Imperial Medical Bureau) (1107)
Gu Chi Wan (Firm the Teeth Pills)
From: Combined gu chi wan and spiramycin in the treatment of periodontal disease by Zhang JZ, Yang XX & Tong YH (1992)
Huang Qi Du Zhong Jiu (Astragalus and Eucommia Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Huang Qi Shi Hu Jiu (Astragalus and Dendrobium Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Ning Sou San (Calm Coughing Pill)
From: Revised Popular Guide to the Discussion of Cold Damage by Yu Gen-Chu, Revised by He Bing-Yuan (Qing dynasty)
Niu Xi Dan Shen Jiu (Achyranthes and Salvia Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Niu Xi Rou Gui Jiu (Achyranthes and Cinnamon Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Niu Xi Shi Hu Jiu (Achyranthes and Dendrobium Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Niu Xi Yu Mi Jiu (Achyranthes Jade Rice Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang (Clear Summerheat and Augment the Qi Decoction)
From: Warp and Weft of Warm Diseases by Wang Shi-Xiong / Wang Meng-Ying (1852)
Shi Hu Ye Guang Wan (Dendrobium Pill for Night Vision)
From: Experiental Formulas from the Auspicious Balmboo Hall (1326)
Tong Sai Pian (Unblock Obstruction Pill)
From: Journal of the Nanking College of Chinese Medicine (1984)
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.
