Formula Formulas that warm Yang and tonify

Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan

济生肾气丸

Also known as:

Golden Chest Kidney-Qi Pill，Kidney Qi Pill , Eight-Ingredient Kidney Qi Pill , Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan , Ba Wei Shen Qi Wan

Formula Composition

Zhi Fu Zi
Zhi Fu Zi
Rou Gui
Rou Gui
Chuan Niu Xi
Chuan Niu Xi
Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang
Shan Zhu Yu
Shan Zhu Yu
Shan Yao
Shan Yao
Ze Xie
Ze Xie
Mu Dan Pi
Mu Dan Pi
Fu Ling
Fu Ling
Che Qian Zi
Che Qian Zi
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Tonifies the Kidneys
  2. Warms Yang
  3. Promotes water transformation
  4. Reduces water retention

Patterns Treated

Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing, Kidney Yang Deficiency

Historical Origin

Zhang Shi Yi Tong (1695 AD )

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan

Main Actions

Tonifies the Kidneys
Warms Yang
Promotes water transformation
Reduces water retention

Key TCM Concepts

Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui) and Cyathula Roots (Chuan Niu Xi) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1695 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm Yang and tonify. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies the Kidneys and 2) warms 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 Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing or Kidney Yang Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as edema, heavy back or heavy knees for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing
  • Kidney Yang Deficiency

Common Applications

Edema Heavy back Heavy knees Knee weakness Weak back Urinary difficulties Coughing Phlegm Wheezing

Ingredients in Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Zhi Fu Zi
Zhi Fu Zi

Prepared aconite

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Spleen
Parts Used Processed daughter root
Role in Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan
Zhi Fu Zi is acrid and strongly warming. It tonifies the Fire of Gate, dispels Cold, and eliminates Dampness. It also strongly promotes movement and reaches down to the source to warm chronic Cold. Together, Zhi Fu Zi and Rou Gui not only assist the Yang and enhance the metabolism of water, but also promote the unhindered dispersion of Yang throughout the body.
View herb details
Rou Gui
Rou Gui

Cinnamon bark

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried stem bark
Role in Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan
Rou Gui is sweet, and warm. It tonifies Yang, expels Cold and strengthens the Fire of the Gate of Life. It benefits the joints, warms the channels, and unblocks the vessels.
View herb details
Chuan Niu Xi
Chuan Niu Xi

Cyathula roots

Temperature Neutral
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan
Chuan Niu Xi is sour, sweet and neutral in taste. It descends and encourage urination. It also tonics the Liver and Kidney as well as strengthens the back and knees.
View herb details
Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang

Prepared rehmannia

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Prepared dried root tuber
Role 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.
View herb details
Shan Zhu Yu
Shan Zhu Yu

Cornelian cherries

Temperature Warm
Taste Sour
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried ripe sarcocarp
Role in Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan
Shan Zhu Yu is sour and slightly sweet. It tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, thereby helping to preserve the essential Qi while nourishing the Yin and reinforcing the Blood. Strengthening the Kidney Qi is beneficial to its role as repository of the body's Yin and Yang. It also ensures that nourishment will be supplied to the Liver, which derives its Essence from the Kidneys. The supply of Yin and Essence to the Liver serves to facilitate the free and smooth operation of its spreading function. It also restrains the leakage of Essence. It performs this function by inhibiting the improper dispersion and drainage through the Liver, thereby enabling the Essence to build up in the Kidneys.
View herb details
Shan Yao
Shan Yao

Yam

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan
Shan Yao is sweet and bland. It stabilizes the Essence by tonifying the Spleen. To reinforce the Essence and improve its function, the Spleen which is the source of postnatal Essence, must function properly. It is effective in treating Deficiency and various consumptive patterns.
View herb details
Ze Xie
Ze Xie

Water plantain

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried tuber
Role in Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan
Ze Xie clears and drains the overabundance of Kidney fire. It is used here to prevent the rich, cloying properties of the chief herb Prepared rehmannia from congesting the mechanisms of the Kidneys, which will induce even more fire from Deficiency.
View herb details
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 Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan
Mu Dan Pi clears and drains Liver Fire and is used here to counterbalance the warm properties of Prepared aconite.
View herb details
Fu Ling
Fu Ling

Poria-cocos mushrooms

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried sclerotium
Role in Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan
Fu Ling leaches out Dampness from the Spleen. It is paired with Yam to 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. Fu Ling and Water plantain work together to improve the metabolism of Body Fluids an promote urination, thereby preventing a buildup of Stagnant Fluids.
View herb details
Che Qian Zi
Che Qian Zi

Plantain seeds

Temperature Cool
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver, Lungs, Small Intestine
Parts Used Dried ripe seeds
Role in Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan
In general Che Qian Zi's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and clears Heat. Stops diarrhea by expelling water through urination. Brightens the eyes, used in combination either for Deficiency or Heat. Reduces inflammation of infections. Arrests cough and expectorates Phlegm."

In the context of Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan, it is used because it is sweet and cool. It clears Heat, encourages urination and removes Phlegm.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan

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

Contraindications

Pregnant women, those with Damp-Heat accumulation, and those with edema due to Wind-water overflow should use with caution. Due to its content of aconite, which is highly heated and poisonous, it should not be taken excessively or for a prolonged period. During medication, a light diet is advisable, with a preference for low-salt foods. Also, because it contains a high amount of potassium, caution should be exercised to prevent hyperkalemia when used in combination with potassium-sparing diuretics like Antaishutong and Amiloride. Avoid concurrent use with sulfonamide drugs.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Ji Sheng Shen Qi 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.