Formula Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify

Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan

八仙長壽丸

Also known as:

Eight Immortals Longevity Pill

Formula Composition

Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang
Shan Zhu Yu
Shan Zhu Yu
Shan Yao
Shan Yao
Mai Dong
Mai Dong
Wu Wei Zi
Wu Wei Zi
Ze Xie
Ze Xie
Mu Dan Pi
Mu Dan Pi
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Treats Yin Deficiency of the Lungs and Kidneys

Patterns Treated

Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency

Historical Origin

Achieving Longevity by Guarding the Source (1615 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan

Main Actions

Treats Yin Deficiency of the Lungs and Kidneys

Key TCM Concepts

Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1615 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish Yin and tonify. Its main action is that it treats Yin Deficiency of the Lungs and Kidneys.

 

On this page, after a detailed description of each of the eight ingredients in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan, we review the patterns and conditions that Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan helps treat.

 

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.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency

Ingredients in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang

Prepared rehmannia

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Prepared dried root tuber
Role in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan
In general Shu Di huang's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys."

In the context of Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan, it is used because it strongly enriches the Kidney Yin and Essence.
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Shan Zhu Yu
Shan Zhu Yu

Cornelian cherries

Temperature Warm
Taste Sour
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried ripe sarcocarp
Role in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan
Shan Zhu Yu nourishes the Liver and restrains the leakage of Essence. It performs the latter function by inhibiting the improper dispersion and drainage through the Liver, thereby enabling the Essence to build up in the Kidneys. For this to occur, a substance with the strong, Essence building properties of the key herb (Prepared rehmannia) is also required.
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Shan Yao
Shan Yao

Yam

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan
Shan Yao stabilizes the Essence by tonifying the Spleen. Indeed, to reinforce Essence and improve its function, the Spleen (the source of postnatal Essence) must function properly.
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Mai Dong
Mai Dong

Dwarf lilyturf roots

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried root tuber
Role in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan
In general Mai Dong's main actions are as follows: "Replenishes Yin Essence and promotes secretions. Lubricates and nourishes the Stomach. Soothes the Lung. Nourishes the Heart."
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Wu Wei Zi
Wu Wei Zi

Schisandra berries

Temperature Warm
Taste Sour, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs
Parts Used Dried ripe fruits
Role in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan
In general Wu Wei Zi's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Kidneys and preserves the Essence. Astringes the Lung Qi and stops coughing. Retains Bodily Fluids and encourages their production. Tonifies the Heart and calms the spirit (Shen)."
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Ze Xie
Ze Xie

Water plantain

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried tuber
Role in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan
Ze Xie clears and drains the overabundance of Kidney Fire. It is used here to prevent the rich, cloying properties of the key herb (Prepared rehmannia) from congesting the mechanisms of the Kidneys, which would induce even more Heat from Deficiency.
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Mu Dan Pi
Mu Dan Pi

Mudan peony bark

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Root barks
Role in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan
Mu Dan Pi clears and drains Liver Fire and is used here to counterbalance the warm properties of Cornelian cherries (Shan Zhu Yu).
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Fu Ling
Fu Ling

Poria-cocos mushrooms

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried sclerotium
Role in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan
Fu Ling is a bland herb that leaches out Dampness from the Spleen. It notably helps Yam (Shan Yao) strengthen the transportive functions of the Spleen. This prevents the formula from clogging up the digestive process and reinforces the Spleen's function of nourishing the body. Poria-cocos mushrooms also works together with the Water plantain (Ze Xie) to improve the metabolism of Fluids and promote urination, thereby preventing a buildup of stagnant Fluids.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any TCM herbal formula.

Contraindications

Contraindicated for patients with weak digestion or Yang Deficiency.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.