Formula Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify

Qi Ju Di Huang Wan

杞菊地黄丸

Also known as:

Lycium Fruit Chrysanthemum and Rehmannia Pill , Rehmannia Six Combination with Lycii berries and Chrysanthemum

Formula Composition

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
Gou Qi Zi
Gou Qi Zi
Ju Hua
Ju Hua
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King
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
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From $23.00

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin
  2. Improves vision

Patterns Treated

Liver Yang Rising, Interior Wind, Liver Yin Deficiency, Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising, Kidney Yin Deficiency, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency

Historical Origin

Complete Treatise on Measles (1350 AD)

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Qi Ju Di Huang Wan

Main Actions

Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin
Improves vision

Key TCM Concepts

Qi Ju Di Huang Wan is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1350 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish Yin and tonify. Its main actions are: 1) nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin and 2) improves vision.

 

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 Qi Ju Di Huang Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Liver Yang Rising, Interior Wind or Liver Yin Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as menopausal syndrome, diabetes mellitus or diabetes insipidus for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Liver Yang Rising
  • Interior Wind
  • Liver Yin Deficiency
  • Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
  • Kidney Yin Deficiency
  • Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency

Common Applications

Menopausal syndrome Diabetes mellitus Diabetes insipidus Cataract Glaucoma Central retinopathy Optic nerve atrophy Optic neuritis Diabetes Ophthalmalgia Photophobia

Ingredients in Qi Ju Di Huang Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Qi Ju Di Huang 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 Qi Ju Di Huang 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 Qi Ju Di Huang 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 Qi Ju Di Huang 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 Qi Ju Di Huang 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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Ze Xie
Ze Xie

Water plantain

Temperature Cold
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried tuber
Role in Qi Ju Di Huang 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 Qi Ju Di Huang 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 Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Fu Ling is a bland herb that leaches out Dampness from the Spleen. Here 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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Gou Qi Zi
Gou Qi Zi

Goji berries

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
In general Gou Qi Zi's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Yin of the Liver and Yin of the Kidneys. Brightens the eyes. Moistens the Lungs."
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Ju Hua
Ju Hua

Chrysanthemum flowers

Temperature Cool
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Liver, Lungs
Parts Used Dried capitulum
Role in Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
In general Ju Hua's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and clears Heat. Relieves Wind-Heat from the Liver channel and clears the eyes. Cools Heat of the Liver and Kidney due to Yin Deficiency. Relieves patterns of Liver Yang rising."
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Qi Ju Di Huang Wan

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

Contraindications

Not for a person with weak digestion or a lack of Yang

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, Qi Ju Di Huang 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.