Formula Formulas that warm Yang and tonify

Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan

五子衍宗丸

Also known as:

Five-Seed Developing Ancestors Pill

Formula Composition

Tu Si Zi
Tu Si Zi
Wu Wei Zi
Wu Wei Zi
Gou Qi Zi
Gou Qi Zi
Fu Pen Zi
Fu Pen Zi
Che Qian Zi
Che Qian Zi
View detailed herb information
King
Main ingredient

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Tonifies Kidney Yang
  2. Strengthens the Essence

Patterns Treated

Kidney Essence Deficiency, Kidney Yang Deficiency

Historical Origin

Multitude of Marvelous Formulas for Sustaining Life (1550 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan

Main Actions

Tonifies Kidney Yang
Strengthens the Essence

Key TCM Concepts

Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Cuscuta Seeds (Tu Si Zi) as a principal ingredient.

 

Invented in 1550 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm Yang and tonify. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies Kidney Yang and 2) strengthens the Essence.

 

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 Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Kidney Essence Deficiency or Kidney Yang Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as abnormal vaginal discharge for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Kidney Essence Deficiency
  • Kidney Yang Deficiency

Ingredients in Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan and their roles

Kings
Tu Si Zi
Tu Si Zi

Cuscuta seeds

Temperature Warm
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried ripe seeds
Role in Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan
In general Tu Si Zi's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies Kidney Yang and Essence. Nourishes the Liver."

In the context of Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan, it is used because it tonifies Kidney Yang and strengthen the Essence.
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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 Wu Zi Yan Zong 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)."

In the context of Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan, it is used because it nourishes and strengthen the Essence thanks to its astringent nature.
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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 Wu Zi Yan Zong 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."

In the context of Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan, it is used because it tonifies the Kidneys and the Essence.
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Fu Pen Zi
Fu Pen Zi

Palmleaf raspberries

Temperature Warm
Taste Sour, Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys
Parts Used Dried fruit
Role in Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan
In general Fu Pen Zi's main actions are as follows: "Augments the Kidneys, restrains Essence. Stops leakage of Bodily Fluids."

In the context of Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan, it is used because it it tonifies Kidney Yang and stops discharges.
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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 Wu Zi Yan Zong 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 Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan, it is used because it clear any Heat that can be risen from the tonification of Yang.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Wu Zi Yan Zong 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, Wu Zi Yan Zong 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.