Use of Shu Di huang (prepared rehmannia) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: The roots are steamed and dried in the sun 9 times before being dried for a final time.
Dosage: 9 - 30 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which Shu Di huang may be prescribed by TCM doctors*:
Night sweats
Anemia
Palpitations
Abnormal uterine bleeding
Tinnitus
Premature graying
Contraindications*: This herb should be used with caution by those with weak digestion and Spleen Qi. It should be avoided by those with Stagnation of Qi or Phlegm.
Common TCM formulas in which Shu Di huang is used*
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Si Wu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Si Wu Tang, Shu Di huang has a very strong tonifying effect on the Liver and Kidneys and is said to nourish the Yin of the Blood.
Read more about Si Wu Tang
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Liu Wei Di Huang Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, Shu Di huang strongly enriches the Kidney Yin and Essence.
Read more about Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Ba Wei Di Huang Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, Shu Di huang strongly enriches the Kidney Yin and Essence.
Read more about Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Qi Ju Di Huang Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, Shu Di huang strongly enriches the Kidney Yin and Essence.
Read more about Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang, Shu Di huang nourishes the Blood
Read more about Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Gui Shao Di Huang Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Gui Shao Di Huang Tang, Shu Di huang nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin
Read more about Gui Shao Di Huang Tang
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.
In Da Bu Yuan Jian, 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.
Read more about Da Bu Yuan Jian
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Da Ying Jian. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Da Ying Jian, Shu Di huang nourishes Blood
Read more about Da Ying Jian
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Dang Gui Di Huang Yin. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Dang Gui Di Huang Yin, Shu Di huang strongly enriches the Kidney Yin and Essence.
Read more about Dang Gui Di Huang Yin
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Zuo Gui Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Zuo Gui Wan, Shu Di huang tonifies the true Yin of the five Yin Organs. In case of Yin Deficiency and Empty Fire arises, the heaviness of Shu Di huang can direct it downward sufficiently. It can also be used for settling down restless movement and hard tension.
Read more about Zuo Gui Wan
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Zuo Gui Yin. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Zuo Gui Yin, Shu Di huang tonifies the true Yin of the five Yin Organs. In case of Yin Deficiency that causes Empty Fire to rise, the heaviness of Shu Di huang can direct it downward sufficiently. It can also be used for settling down restless movement and hard tension.
Read more about Zuo Gui Yin
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Ba Zhen Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Ba Zhen Tang, Shu Di huang nourishes the Blood.
Read more about Ba Zhen Tang
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan, Shu Di huang strongly enriches the Kidney Yin and Essence.
Read more about Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Shen Qi Si Wu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Shen Qi Si Wu Tang, Shu Di huang has a very strong tonifying effect on the Liver and Kidneys and is said to nourish the Yin of the Blood.
Read more about Shen Qi Si Wu Tang
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan, Shu Di huang strongly enriches the Kidney Yin and Essence.
Read more about Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Da Bu Yin Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Da Bu Yin Wan, Shu Di huang is a very effective herb for enriching and tonifying the Liver and Kidneys
Read more about Da Bu Yin Wan
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Bu Gan Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Bu Gan Tang, Shu Di huang has a very strong tonifying effect on the Liver and Kidneys and is said to nourish the Yin of the Blood.
Read more about Bu Gan Tang
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Yu Nu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Yu Nu Tang, Shu Di huang nourishes Kidney water insufficiency, which enables water to restrain Fire.
Read more about Yu Nu Tang
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang, Shu Di huang enriches and nourishes the Yin Fluids, Blood, and Essence. The combination of prepare and unprepared Rehmannia nourishes water, which enables it to control the Fire.
Read more about Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Guo Qi Yin. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Guo Qi Yin, Shu Di huang nourishes and tonifies the Blood, replenishes the Essence, and tonify the body.
Read more about Guo Qi Yin
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Ming Mu Di Huang Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Ming Mu Di Huang Wan, Shu Di huang strongly enriches the Kidney Yin and Essence.
Read more about Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
Shu Di huang is a deputy ingredient in You Gui Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In You Gui Wan, Shu Di huang work together with the other deputies (Shan Zhu Yu, Shan Yao, Gou Qi Zi, Tu Si Zi and Du Zhong) to nourish the Yin to benefit the Kidneys, nourish the Liver, and tonify the Spleen.
Tonifying the Spleen is especially important in this formula as it helps to indirectly tonify and supplement Essence and Blood.
Read more about You Gui Wan
Shu Di huang is a deputy ingredient in Tao Hong Si Wu Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Tao Hong Si Wu Tang, Shu Di huang has a very strong tonifying effect on the Liver and Kidneys and is said to nourish the Yin of the Blood.
Read more about Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Shu Di huang is a deputy ingredient in Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang, Shu Di huang supports White peony root in nourishing the Blood.
Read more about Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
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.
In Zan Yu Dan, Shu Di huang is combined with the key ingredients to tonify the Yin and replenish the Essence.
Read more about Zan Yu Dan
Shu Di huang is a deputy ingredient in An Tai Zhu Gao. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In An Tai Zhu Gao, Shu Di huang tonifies the Blood and the Kidney Yin.
Read more about An Tai Zhu Gao
Shu Di huang is a deputy ingredient in Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang, Shu Di huang Tonifies the Blood and tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Read more about Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang
Shu Di huang is a deputy ingredient in Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan, Shu Di huang is sweet and cooling. It enriches the Yin and generates Body Fluids. It also tonifies the Kidneys and replenishing the Yin, It also strongly enriches the Kidney Essence.
Read more about Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan
Shu Di huang is an assistant ingredient in Da Fang Feng Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Da Fang Feng Tang, Shu Di huang warms and tonifies the Liver as well as the Kidneys. It strengthens the Channels, bones and tendons. It also invigorates and tonifies Blood at the same time. It is one of the four ingredients for the formula Si Wu Tang which is commonly use for Blood tonifying and invigorating purpose.
Read more about Da Fang Feng Tang
Shu Di huang is an assistant ingredient in Zhen Zhu Mu Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Zhen Zhu Mu Wan, Shu Di huang iis sweet, rich, and slightly warming.
It tonifies the Qi, nourish the Blood, and enrich the Yin. Thus it assists the key herbs in anchoring the Yang, while providing the Mind with an abode.
Read more about Zhen Zhu Mu Wan
Shu Di huang is an assistant ingredient in Bu Fei Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Bu Fei Tang, Shu Di huang tonifies the Essence and the lower and basal aspects of the body.
Read more about Bu Fei Tang
In Shen Qi Wan, Shu Di huang is sweet and cooling. It enriches the Yin and generates Body Fluids. Its large dosage relative to the other ingredients reflects the importance of tonifying the Kidneys and replenishing the Yin, It also strongly enriches the Kidney Essence.
Read more about Shen Qi Wan
Key TCM concepts behind Shu Di huang's properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shu Di huang belongs to the 'Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency' category. Tonic herbs are used for patterns of Deficiency, when one lacks one of the 'Four Treasures' (Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang). Blood tonics tend to be bitter-sweet with either a Warm or neutral nature. Because the Liver stores Blood, all Blood tonics enter that Organ's Channel.
As suggested by its category Shu Di huang is Warm in nature. This means that Shu Di huang tends to help people who have too much 'Cold' in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Hot in nature. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Cold in their body are said to either have a Yin Excess (because Yin is Cold in nature) or a Yang Deficiency (Yang is Hot in Nature). Depending on your condition Shu Di huang can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Shu Di huang also tastes Sweet. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Sweet ingredients like Shu Di huang tends to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and Blood.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Shu Di huang is thought to target the Kidney and the Liver. According to TCM, the Kidneys do not only regulate the urinary system but also play a key role in the reproductive system and the growth and aging process of the body. The Liver on the other hand is often referred as the body's "general" because it is in charge of regulating the movements of Qi and the Body Fluids. It also takes a leading role in balancing our emotions.
Research on Shu Di huang
Bushen Qiangdu Recipe (consisting of prepared rehmannia root) showed significant effect in treatment of ankylosing spondylitis.1
Dandi Tablet (consisting of prepared Rehmannia Root) has the effect of elevating levels of estrogen and improving blood lipid metabolism, therefore shows a coronary heart disease preventive effect in women of postmenopausal stage.2
Runmushu Oral Liquid (consisting of prepared rehmannia root) with artificial-tears can alleviate the eye symptoms, promote the secretion of tears in treating postmenopausal women xerophthalmia. 3
Sources:
1. Wang H, Yan XP, Kong WP. (2011). Effect of bushen qiangdu recipe on osteoporosis and bone loss of patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. , 31(4):471-5.
2. Liang R, Chen MR, Xu X. (2003). Effect of dandi tablet on blood lipids and sex hormones in women of postmenopausal stage. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. , 23(8):593-5.
3. Wei D, Li YH, Zhou WY. (2009). Observation on therapeutic effect of runmushu oral liquid in treating xerophthalmia in postmenopausal women. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. , 29(7):646-9.
