Shu Di Huang Radix Rehmanniae glutinosae praeparata 24 g
Shan Zhu Yu Fructus Corni officinalis 12 g
Shan Yao Radix Dioscoreae oppositae 12 g
Ze Xie Rhizoma Alismatis orientalis 9 g
Mu Dan Pi Cortex Moutan radicis 9 g
Fu Ling Sclerotium Poriae cocos 9 g
Du Huo Radix Angelicae pubescentis 4 g
Sang Ji Sheng Ramus Loranthi 6 g
Ji Xue Teng Caulis Millettiae seu Caulis Spatholobi 6 g
Wu Jia Pi Cortex Acanthopanacis radicis 6 g
Du Zhong Cortex Eucommiae ulmoidis 4.5 g
Explanation
- The formula Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (first six herbs) nourishes Kidney- and Liver-Yin.
- Du Huo expels Wind-Damp from the channels of the Lower Burner and invigorates the
Connecting channels. - Sang Ji Sheng nourishes Liver-Blood and the tendons.
- Ji Xue Teng and Wu Jia Pi invigorate the Connecting channels, move Blood and
strengthen tendons and bones. - Du Zhong may be added in a small dose, even though it is a Yang tonic, to tonify the
lower back and legs and strengthen the spine. The emphasis of the formula as a whole is
to nourish Yin, so it is good to include a Yang tonic as Yang corresponds to movement.
Variations
- If there is stasis of Blood evidenced by pain in the limbs add Hong Hua Flos Carthami
tinctorii, Tao Ren Semen Persicae and Niu Xi Radix Achyranthis bidentatae seu
Cyathulae. - If there are spasms, add Jiang Can Bombyx batryticatus and Di Long Pheretima
aspergillum. - If, in a very chronic case, there is a deficiency of both Yin and Yang of the Kidneys
(deficiency of Yang appearing later while the tongue is still Red), add Lu Jiao Cornu
Cervi to tonify Kidney-Yang and strengthen the spine.