Formula Formulas that warm Yang and tonify

Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan

金匮肾气丸

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
Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi
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
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Tonifies and warms Kidney Yang

Patterns Treated

Damp-Phlegm, Oedema, Kidney Yang Deficiency

Historical Origin

Essentials from the Golden Cabinet (220 AD )

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan

Main Actions

Tonifies and warms Kidney Yang

Key TCM Concepts

Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) and Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm Yang and tonify. Its main action is that it tonifies and warms Kidney 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 Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Damp-Phlegm, Oedema or Kidney Yang Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as late menstruation, diabetes mellitus or hyperaldosteronism for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Damp-Phlegm
  • Oedema
  • Kidney Yang Deficiency

Common Applications

Late menstruation Diabetes mellitus Hyperaldosteronism Hypothyroidism Addison's disease Chronic glomerular Pyelonephritis Renal tuberculosis Nephritis Renal stones Cystitis Chronic urethritis Benign prostatic hypertrophy Paralysis of the detrusor muscle Urinary retention Vitreous opacity Chronic rhinitis Chronic tonsillitis Neurogenic tinnitus Periodontal disease Premature ejaculation Emphysema Chronic bronchitis Bronchial asthma Cataract Glaucoma

Ingredients in Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan and their roles

Kings
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 Jin Gui 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 Cinnamon twigs not only assist the Yang and enhance the metabolism of water, but also promote the unhindered dispersion of Yang throughout the body. The relatively small dosage of these ingredients suggests that they are intended only to slightly generate Yang in order to strengthen the Kidney Qi.
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Gui Zhi
Gui Zhi

Cinnamon twigs

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried young branches
Role in Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan
Gui Zhi is acrid, 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. It also promotes Qi transformation in the Bladder. Some sources have Rou Gui (Cinnamon bark) instead of Gui Zhi.
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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 Jin Gui 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.
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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 Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan
Shan Zhu Yu 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.
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Shan Yao
Shan Yao

Yam

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Jin Gui 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.
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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 Jin Gui 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 induceeven more fire 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 Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan
Mu Dan Pi clears and drains Liver Fire and is used here to counterbalance the warm properties of Prepared aconite.
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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 Jin Gui 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.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated for Yin Deficiency pattern with a dry mouth and throat as well as a red tongue with little coating.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Jin Gui 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.