Formula Formulas that tonify Yin and Yang

He Che Da Zao Wan

河车大造丸

Also known as:

Placenta Great Fortifying Pill

Formula Composition

Zi He Che
Zi He Che
Gui Ban
Gui Ban
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Sha Ren
Sha Ren
Huang Bo
Huang Bo
Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang
Dang Shen
Dang Shen
Du Zhong
Du Zhong
Niu Xi
Niu Xi
Tian Men Dong
Tian Men Dong
Mai Dong
Mai Dong
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Tonifies the Kidneys
  2. Strengthens the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
  3. Regulates the periods

Patterns Treated

Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency, Kidney-Deficiency, Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency

Historical Origin

Grain Qi derived from the Spleen. In terms of Five Elements, the Kidneys nourish the Liver.

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of He Che Da Zao Wan

Main Actions

Tonifies the Kidneys
Strengthens the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
Regulates the periods

Key TCM Concepts

He Che Da Zao Wan is a 11-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Human Placentas (Zi He Che) as a principal ingredient.

 

It belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Yin and Yang. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies the Kidneys and 2) strengthens the Directing and Penetrating Vessels.

 

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 He Che Da Zao Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency or Kidney-Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as absence of menstruation, early menstruation or scanty menstruation for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
  • Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency
  • Kidney-Deficiency
  • Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency

Common Applications

Absence of menstruation Early menstruation Scanty menstruation

Ingredients in He Che Da Zao Wan

Detailed information about each herb in He Che Da Zao Wan and their roles

Kings
Zi He Che
Zi He Che

Human placentas

Temperature Warm
Taste Salty, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried placenta of a healthy women
Role in He Che Da Zao Wan
In general Zi He Che's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys and assists the Essence. Tonifies the Qi and Blood."

In the context of He Che Da Zao Wan, it is used because it nourishes the Directing and Penetrating Vessels.
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Gui Ban
Gui Ban

Tortoise plastrons

Temperature Cool
Taste Salty, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Carapace and plastron
Role in He Che Da Zao Wan
In general Gui Ban's main actions are as follows: "Nourishes the Yin and holds down the Yang. Strengthens the Kidneys and strengthens the bones. Cools the Blood, stops uterine bleeding. Nourishes the Heart. Promotes Healing."

In the context of He Che Da Zao Wan, it is used because it nourishes the Directing and Penetrating Vessels.
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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 He Che Da Zao Wan
In general Fu Ling's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit."

In the context of He Che Da Zao Wan, it is used because it resolves Dampness.
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Sha Ren
Sha Ren

Amomum fruits

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in He Che Da Zao Wan
In general Sha Ren's main actions are as follows: "Warms the Spleen and transforms Dampness. Promotes the movement of Qi for Damp and Stagnant conditions of the Stomach and Spleen. Settles a restless fetus and stops morning sickness. Prevents cloying and Stagnation sometimes caused by tonifying herbs."

In the context of He Che Da Zao Wan, it is used because it resolves Dampness.
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Huang Bo
Huang Bo

Phellodendron bark

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys, Large Intestine
Parts Used Dried bark
Role in He Che Da Zao Wan
In general Huang Bo's main actions are as follows: "Expels Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner. Clears Kidney Yin Deficient Heat. Applied externally or toxic Fire, especially associated with Dampness."

In the context of He Che Da Zao Wan, it is used because it resolves Dampness.
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Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang

Prepared rehmannia

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Prepared dried root tuber
Role in He Che Da Zao Wan
In general Shu Di huang's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys."
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Dang Shen
Dang Shen

Codonopsis roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in He Che Da Zao Wan
In general Dang Shen's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen and Lung Qi. Assists in the secretion of Bodily Fluids."
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Du Zhong
Du Zhong

Eucommia bark

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried stem bark
Role in He Che Da Zao Wan
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."
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Niu Xi
Niu Xi

Achyranthes roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sour
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried root
Role in He Che Da Zao Wan
In general Niu Xi's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood and relieves pain in the raw state. Tonic to the Liver and Kidneys and strengthens the bones and sinews. Reduces Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner. Regulates the flow of reckless Blood caused by either ascendant Liver Yang or Yin Deficient Fire."
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Tian Men Dong
Tian Men Dong

Chinese asparagus tubers

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Lungs
Parts Used The dry tuber
Role in He Che Da Zao Wan
In general Tian Men Dong's main actions are as follows: "Nourishes Yin of the Lungs and Kidneys. Expectorates Phlegm."
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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 He Che Da Zao 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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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for He Che Da Zao Wan

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

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, He Che Da Zao 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.