- Gui Ban and Shu Di nourish the Directing and Governing Vessels and strengthen the
Kidneys. They also nourish the Kidney-Essence which is the substantial foundation of
Kidney-Yang. - Rou Cong Rong, Bu Gu Zhi and Lu Jiao Jiao tonify Kidney-Yang and strengthen the
Lung and Kidney's Defensive-Qi systems. Lu Jiao Jiao also strengthens the Governing
Vessel. - Wu Wei Zi nourishes the Essence and strengthens the Lungs.
- Zhi Mu and Huang Bo are included to prevent any excessive Heat which might derive
from tonification of Yang by the other herbs.
Variations
- If there are pronounced symptoms of Cold and deficiency of Kidney-Yang add Rou Gui
Cortex Cinnamomi cassiae. - If there is a propensity to catching colds add Huang Qi Radix Astragali membranacei,
Bai Zhu Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephalae and Fang Feng Radix Ledebouriellae
sesloidis. - If there is a nasal discharge and a sticky tongue coating add Bai Zhu Rhizoma
Atractylodis macrocephalae, Ban Xia Rhizoma Pinelliae ternatae and Fu Ling
Sclerotium Poriae cocos.
The above formula is particularly suited to allergic rhinitis as it tonifies the Lung and Kidney's
defensive-Qi systems, strengthens the Governing Vessel and nourishes the Essence. However,
any Kidney-Yang-tonifying formula may be used modified with the addition of the following
ingredients:
(a) Herbs which strengthen the Governing Vessel, such as Lu Rong Cornu Cervi
parvum, Lu Jiao Cornu Cervi or Lu Jiao Jiao Colla Cornu Cervi in women.(b) Herbs which nourish the Essence and Marrow such as Gui Ban Plastrum
Testudinis, Tu Si Zi Semen Cuscutae, Gou Qi Zi Fructus Lycii chinensis, Placenta
Placenta hominis or Wu Wei Zi Fructus Schisandrae chinensis.(c) Herbs to tonify the Lung's Defensive-Qi system such as Huang Qi Radix
Astragali membranacei, Mai Men Dong Tuber Ophiopogonis japonici and Bei
Sha Shen Radix Glehniae littoralis.(d) If necessary, add one or two herbs, in small doses, to prevent over-heating from