Formula Formulas that warm Yang and tonify

You Gui Wan

右归丸

Also known as:

Restore the Right [Kidney] Pill

Formula Composition

Zhi Fu Zi
Zhi Fu Zi
Rou Gui
Rou Gui
Lu Jiao Jiao
Lu Jiao Jiao
Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang
Shan Zhu Yu
Shan Zhu Yu
Shan Yao
Shan Yao
Gou Qi Zi
Gou Qi Zi
Tu Si Zi
Tu Si Zi
Du Zhong
Du Zhong
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistant
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang
  2. Replenishes the Essence
  3. Tonifies the Blood

Patterns Treated

Kidney Qi not Firm, Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang, Kidneys failing to receive Qi, Kidney Yang Deficiency, Kidney-Deficiency

Historical Origin

Collected Treatises of [Zhang] ling-Yue (1624 AD)

Explore More About This Formula

TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of You Gui Wan

Main Actions

Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang
Replenishes the Essence
Tonifies the Blood

Key TCM Concepts

You Gui Wan is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui) and Deer Antler Glue (Lu Jiao Jiao) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1624 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm Yang and tonify. Its main actions are: 1) warms and tonifies Kidney Yang and 2) replenishes 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 You Gui Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Kidney Qi not Firm, Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang or Kidneys failing to receive Qi. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as menopausal syndrome, abnormal uterine bleeding or nephrotic syndrome for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Kidney Qi not Firm
  • Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang
  • Kidneys failing to receive Qi
  • Kidney Yang Deficiency
  • Kidney-Deficiency

Common Applications

Menopausal syndrome Abnormal uterine bleeding Nephrotic syndrome Osteoporosis Infertility Anemia Leukopenia Asthma

Ingredients in You Gui Wan

Detailed information about each herb in You Gui 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 You Gui Wan
Zhi Fu Zi works together with Cinnamon bark (Rou Gui) and Deer antlers glue (Lu Jiao Jiao) to warm and fortify the source Yang.
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Rou Gui
Rou Gui

Cinnamon bark

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried stem bark
Role in You Gui Wan
In general Rou Gui's main actions are as follows: "Warms the Spleen and Kidneys and tonifies the Yang. Expels Cold, Warms the meridians, promotes circulation of Qi and Blood and relieves pain. Used with tonics to assist in the generation of Qi and Blood."
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Lu Jiao Jiao
Lu Jiao Jiao

Deer antler glue

Temperature Warm
Taste Salty, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used The horn (antlers) of the animal
Role in You Gui Wan
In general Lu Jiao Jiao's main actions are as follows: "Yang tonification of the Kidneys and Liver, and to nourish vital Essence and Blood"

In the context of You Gui Wan, it is used because it replenishes the Essence and tonifies the marrow on top of warming and fortifying the source Yang.
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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 You Gui Wan
Shu Di huang work together with the other deputies (Shan Zhu Yu, Shan Yao, Gou Qi Zi, Tu Si Zi and Du Zhong) to nourish the Yin to benefit the Kidneys, nourish the Liver, and tonify the Spleen. Tonifying the Spleen is especially important in this formula as it helps to indirectly tonify and supplement Essence and Blood.
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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 You Gui Wan
In general Shan Zhu Yu's main actions are as follows: "Preserves and tonifies the Kidney, Liver and Essence. Stops sweating and benefits the Yang and Qi. Assists menstruation and stops bleeding."
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Shan Yao
Shan Yao

Yam

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in You Gui Wan
In general Shan Yao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing."
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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 You Gui 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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Tu Si Zi
Tu Si Zi

Cuscuta seeds

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

Dong quai

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Liver, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root
Role in You Gui Wan
In general Dang Gui's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation."

In the context of You Gui Wan, it is used because it tonifies the Blood and nourishes the Liver.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for You Gui Wan

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

Contraindications

Contraindicated when Kidney Deficiency is accompanied by Dampness or turbidity, as this formula tonifies without draining.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many TCM formulas, You Gui 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.