Chinese: 赞育丹
Pinyin: Zàn Yù Dān
Other names: Special Pill to Aid Fertility
Number of ingredients: 14 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that warm Yang and tonify
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: Infertility in maleErectile dysfunctionInfertility in female
Main actions: Warms and tonifies the Kidneys
Source date: 1624 AD
Source book: Collected Treatises of [Zhang} ling-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.
Zan Yu Dan is a 14-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui), Desert-Living Cistanches (Rou Cong Rong), Morinda Roots (Ba Ji Tian), Epimedium Herbs (Yin Yang Huo), Cnidium Seeds (She Chuang Zi), Garlic Chive Seeds (Jiu Cai Zi), Curculigo Rhizomes (Xian Mao), Cornelian Cherries (Shan Zhu Yu) and Eucommia Bark (Du Zhong) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 1624 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm Yang and tonify. Its main action is that it warms and tonifies the Kidneys.
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.
From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as erectile dysfunction, infertility in male or infertility in female for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the fourteen ingredients in Zan Yu Dan, we review the patterns and conditions that Zan Yu Dan helps treat.
The fourteen ingredients in Zan Yu Dan
Zhi Fu Zi is a king ingredient in Zan Yu Dan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi)
In general Zhi Fu Zi's main actions are as follows: "Raises the collapse of Yang. Warms the meridians and relieves pain caused by Cold. Reduces Damp caused by Deficiency in Yang."
In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it tonify the Kidneys and strengthen the Kidney Yang.
Rou Gui is a king ingredient in Zan Yu Dan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui)
In general Rou Gui's main actions are as follows: "Warms the Spleen and Kidneys and tonifies the Yang. Expels Cold, Warms the meridians, promotes circulation of Qi and Blood and relieves pain. Used with tonics to assist in the generation of Qi and Blood."
In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it tonify the Kidneys and strengthen the Kidney Yang.
Rou Cong Rong is a king ingredient in Zan Yu Dan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
3. Desert-Living Cistanches (Rou Cong Rong)
Part used: Dried stem
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: KidneyLarge intestine
Category: Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency
In general Rou Cong Rong's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies Kidney Yang, Restores Essence and Blood. Induces laxation."
In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it tonify the Kidneys and strengthen the Kidney Yang.
Ba Ji Tian is a king ingredient in Zan Yu Dan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
4. Morinda Roots (Ba Ji Tian)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency
In general Ba Ji Tian's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Kidney Yang. Expels Wind-Damp-Cold painful obstruction (Bi Pain)."
In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it tonify the Kidneys and strengthen the Kidney Yang.
Yin Yang Huo is a king ingredient in Zan Yu Dan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
5. Epimedium Herbs (Yin Yang Huo)
Part used: Dried aerial part
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency
In general Yin Yang Huo's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Kidney Yang. Expels Wind-Damp-Cold Bi Pain. Strengthens Lung Qi and assists in expectoration."
In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it tonify the Kidneys and strengthen the Kidney Yang.
She Chuang Zi is a king ingredient in Zan Yu Dan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
6. Cnidium Seeds (She Chuang Zi)
Part used: Seeds
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenKidney
Category: Herbs for external application
In general She Chuang Zi's main actions are as follows: "Applied topically it clears Damp-Heat on the skin and kills parasites. Tonifies Kidney Yang. Warms and dries Wind-Damp-Cold. "
In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it tonify the Kidneys and strengthen the Kidney Yang.
Jiu Cai Zi is a king ingredient in Zan Yu Dan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
7. Garlic Chive Seeds (Jiu Cai Zi)
Part used: Dried ripe seeds
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency
In general Jiu Cai Zi's main actions are as follows: "Warms and tonifies both Kidney and Liver. Invigorates the Yang and retains body Fluids."
In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it tonify the Kidneys and strengthen the Kidney Yang.
Xian Mao is a king ingredient in Zan Yu Dan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
8. Curculigo Rhizomes (Xian Mao)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Hot
Taste(s): Pungent
Meridian affinity: SpleenKidneyLiver
Category: Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency
In general Xian Mao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies Kidney Yang and treats Kidney Yang Deficiency patterns. Strengthens the bones and sinews. Clears Cold and Dampness."
In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it tonify the Kidneys and strengthen the Kidney Yang.
Shan Zhu Yu is a king ingredient in Zan Yu Dan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
9. Cornelian Cherries (Shan Zhu Yu)
Part used: Dried ripe sarcocarp
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sour
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that stabilize and bind
In general Shan Zhu Yu's main actions are as follows: "Preserves and tonifies the Kidney, Liver and Essence. Stops sweating and benefits the Yang and Qi. Assists menstruation and stops bleeding."
In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it tonify the Kidneys and strengthen the Kidney Yang.
Du Zhong is a king ingredient in Zan Yu Dan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
10. 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 Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it tonify the Kidneys and strengthen the Kidney Yang.
Shu Di huang is a deputy ingredient in Zan Yu Dan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
11. 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
In general Shu Di huang's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys."
In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it is combined with the key ingredients to tonify the Yin and replenish the Essence.
Dang Gui is a deputy ingredient in Zan Yu Dan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
12. 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 Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it is combined with the key ingredients to tonify the Yin and replenish the Essence.
Gou Qi Zi is a deputy ingredient in Zan Yu Dan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
13. Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
In general Gou Qi Zi's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Yin of the Liver and Yin of the Kidneys. Brightens the eyes. Moistens the Lungs."
In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it is combined with the key ingredients to tonify the Yin and replenish the Essence.
Bai Zhu is an assistant ingredient in Zan Yu Dan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
14. Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Bai Zhu strengthens the Spleen and eliminate Dampness. It not only strengthen the transportive function of the Spleen and Stomach, it also transforms and transports the Essence to a slight extent, thereby assisting the formula in tonifying and replenishing the Kidney Essence.
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