Chinese: 大补元煎
Pinyin: Dà Bǔ Yuán Jiān
Other names: Great Tonifying the Original (Qi) Decoction, Great Tonify the Primal Decoction
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify
Mother formula: Zuo Gui Wan
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: Uterine prolapseLate menstruation
- Tonifies Yin and Blood
- Nourishes Qi and Yang
Source date: 1624 AD
Source book: Collected Treatises of [Zhang] Jing-Yue
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Da Bu Yuan Jian is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 1624 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish Yin and tonify. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies Yin and Blood and 2) nourishes Qi and Yang.
In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.
In this case Da Bu Yuan Jian is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Blood Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as late menstruation or uterine prolapse for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the eight ingredients in Da Bu Yuan Jian, we review the patterns and conditions that Da Bu Yuan Jian helps treat.
The eight ingredients in Da Bu Yuan Jian
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Da Bu Yuan Jian. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang)
Part used: Prepared dried root tuber
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Shu Di huang tonifies the true Yin of the five Yin Organs. It is necessary to use Shu Di huang to treat Yin Deficiency of the 12 Meridians. When the Yin is Deficient and fire ascends, it cannot be directed downward sufficiently without the heaviness of Shu Di huang. Due to Yin deficiency, restless movement cannot be sedated sufficiently without the stillness of Shu Di huang. And hardness and tension due to Yin Deficiency cannot be relaxed sufficiently without the sweetness of Shu Di huang.
2. Ginseng (Ren Shen)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Ren Shen's main actions are as follows: "Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit)."
In the context of Da Bu Yuan Jian, it is used because it tonifies Qi in general and the Original Qi in particular.
3. Yam (Shan Yao)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLungSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Shan Yao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing."
In the context of Da Bu Yuan Jian, it is used because it benefits the Yin and tonifies the Spleen which is the source of the postnatal constitution.
4. Dong Quai (Dang Gui)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Dang Gui's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation."
In the context of Da Bu Yuan Jian, it is used because it nourishes Blood.
5. Eucommia Bark (Du Zhong)
Part used: Dried stem bark
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency
In general Du Zhong's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys. Calms ascendant Liver Yang (hypertension/high blood pressure). Calms a restless fetus."
In the context of Da Bu Yuan Jian, it is used because it tonifies Kidney Yang and strengthen the back.
6. Cornelian Cherries (Shan Zhu Yu)
Part used: Dried ripe sarcocarp
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sour
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that stabilize and bind
Shan Zhu Yu nourishes Yin, Blood and Essence and strengthen Liver and Kidneys. Here it works synergistically with the chief herb Prepared rehmannia.
7. Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
Gou Qi Zi nourishes Yin, Blood and Essence and strengthen Liver and Kidneys. Here it works synergistically with the chief herb Prepared rehmannia.
8. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."
In the context of Da Bu Yuan Jian, it is used because it harmonizes all ingredients.
Da Bu Yuan Jian is used to treat Blood Deficiency
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Da Bu Yuan Jian is mostly used to treat the pattern "Blood Deficiency" which we describe below.
But before we delve into Blood Deficiency here is an overview of the Western conditions it is commonly associated with:
Late menstruation Uterine prolapse
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Da Bu Yuan Jian treats late menstruation" for instance. Rather, Da Bu Yuan Jian is used to treat Blood Deficiency, which is sometimes the root cause behind late menstruation.
Now let's look at Blood Deficiency, a pattern that TCM practitioners commonly treat with Da Bu Yuan Jian.
Blood (Xue) is one of Chinese Medicine's vital subtances. Learn more about Blood in Chinese Medicine
Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
Symptoms: Insomnia Tingling Dry skin Dry hair Dry lips Dizziness Pale lips Thin body Pale face Amenorrhea Depression Poor memory Late period Palpitations Scanty periods Blurred vision Pale complexion Slightly anxiety Tingling of limbs Pale menstrual blood Lower abdominal pain Numbness in the limbs Dull white shallow face Feeling of bearing down Withered and brittle nails
Da Bu Yuan Jian is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Blood Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as dizziness, scanty periods, amenorrhea and dull white shallow face. Patients with Blood Deficiency typically exhibit choppy (Se) or fine (Xi) pulses as well as Pale, thin and slightly tongue .
A Deficiency of Blood occurs when their entire body, a part of body or a particular Organ is insufficiently nourished by Blood. This can be caused by a loss of blood, insufficient Spleen Qi to produce Blood or congealed Blood which prevents new Blood from forming.
The Organs most likely to be... read more about Blood Deficiency
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