Tradition:

TCM

Source / Author:

Essential of the Golden Cabinet, c. 220

Preparation:

Powder and form small pills with Honey. It can be prepared as a decoction using half or one-third of the above doses.

Function:

Strengthen Kidney Yang

Use:

In all cases, there will be a pale, swollen, tooth-marked Tongue with moist or white coating; pulse is slow, deep and empty, with signs of coldness.
1. Lower back pain, knee weakness, Arthritis, Sciatica
2. Coldness in the lower body, cold extremities
3. Difficult or frequent urination; nocturnal urination
4. Edema, fluid retention, especially in the lower body
5. Chronic Urinary diseases: chronic UTI, chronic glomerulonephritis, chronic nephritis
6. Hyperthyroidism, Diabetes, Addison’s disease
7. Menopausal Night sweats, Hot Flushes
8. Infertility, Impotence, Poor Sperm motility

Dose:

9 grams of the pills, three times daily

Cautions:

Not used for Yin deficiency with dry mouth, with a red and dry tongue coat.

Modifications:

1. For more severe Kidney Yang deficiency, substitute Cinnamon bark Rou Gui for Cinnamon twig Ghi Zhi. The twig is better to use in arthritic conditions and poor peripheral circulation. The bark is stronger to warm deeper in the body and helps bring Yang Qi back to the lower abdomen.
2. Night urination, add Schisandra Wu Wei Zi
3. Impotence, add Cistanche Rou Cong Rong, Morinda Ba Ji Tian, Cynomorium Suo Yang
4. Dizziness, Vertigo, or Eye weakness with redness, add Chrysanthemum Ju Hua and Lycium Gou Qi Zi.
5. Back pain and knee weakness, add Achyranthes Niu Xi and Eucommia Du Zhong.

Comment:

This is the foundation formula for Yang deficiency in TCM. It is Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Rehmannia Six Pills), which is the primary Yin tonic, to which Aconite and Cinnamon are added to form the primary Yang tonic. This shows the importance of nourishing Yin to enable Yang, much like refilling the oil in an oil lamp to enable the flame to burn longer and brighter.

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