Formula Formulas that warm Yang and tonify

Zan Yu Dan

赞育丹

Also known as:

Special Pill to Aid Fertility

Formula Composition

Zhi Fu Zi
Zhi Fu Zi
Rou Gui
Rou Gui
Rou Cong Rong
Rou Cong Rong
Ba Ji Tian
Ba Ji Tian
Yin Yang Huo
Yin Yang Huo
She Chuang Zi
She Chuang Zi
Jiu Cai Zi
Jiu Cai Zi
Xian Mao
Xian Mao
Shan Zhu Yu
Shan Zhu Yu
Du Zhong
Du Zhong
Shu Di huang
Shu Di huang
Dang Gui
Dang Gui
Gou Qi Zi
Gou Qi Zi
Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistant
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Warms and tonifies the Kidneys

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 Zan Yu Dan

Main Actions

Warms and tonifies the Kidneys

Key TCM Concepts

Zan Yu Dan is a 14-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui), Desert-Living Cistanches (Rou Cong Rong), Morinda Roots (Ba Ji Tian), Epimedium Herbs (Yin Yang Huo), Cnidium Seeds (She Chuang Zi), Garlic Chive Seeds (Jiu Cai Zi), Curculigo Rhizomes (Xian Mao), Cornelian Cherries (Shan Zhu Yu) and Eucommia Bark (Du Zhong) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1624 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm Yang and tonify. Its main action is that it warms and tonifies the Kidneys.

 

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.

 

From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as erectile dysfunction, infertility in male or infertility in female for instance.

Ingredients in Zan Yu Dan

Detailed information about each herb in Zan Yu Dan 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 Zan Yu Dan
In general Zhi Fu Zi's main actions are as follows: "Raises the collapse of Yang. Warms the meridians and relieves pain caused by Cold. Reduces Damp caused by Deficiency in Yang."

In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it tonify the Kidneys and strengthen the Kidney 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 Zan Yu Dan
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."

In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it tonify the Kidneys and strengthen the Kidney Yang.
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Rou Cong Rong
Rou Cong Rong

Desert-living cistanches

Temperature Warm
Taste Salty, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Large Intestine
Parts Used Dried stem
Role in Zan Yu Dan
In general Rou Cong Rong's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies Kidney Yang, Restores Essence and Blood. Induces laxation."

In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it tonify the Kidneys and strengthen the Kidney Yang.
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Ba Ji Tian
Ba Ji Tian

Morinda roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried root
Role in Zan Yu Dan
In general Ba Ji Tian's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Kidney Yang. Expels Wind-Damp-Cold painful obstruction (Bi Pain)."

In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it tonify the Kidneys and strengthen the Kidney Yang.
View herb details
Yin Yang Huo
Yin Yang Huo

Epimedium herbs

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried aerial part
Role in Zan Yu Dan
In general Yin Yang Huo's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Kidney Yang. Expels Wind-Damp-Cold Bi Pain. Strengthens Lung Qi and assists in expectoration."

In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it tonify the Kidneys and strengthen the Kidney Yang.
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She Chuang Zi
She Chuang Zi

Cnidium Seeds

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Kidneys
Parts Used Seeds
Role in Zan Yu Dan
In general She Chuang Zi's main actions are as follows: "Applied topically it clears Damp-Heat on the skin and kills parasites. Tonifies Kidney Yang. Warms and dries Wind-Damp-Cold. "

In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it tonify the Kidneys and strengthen the Kidney Yang.
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Jiu Cai Zi
Jiu Cai Zi

Garlic chive seeds

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried ripe seeds
Role in Zan Yu Dan
In general Jiu Cai Zi's main actions are as follows: "Warms and tonifies both Kidney and Liver. Invigorates the Yang and retains body Fluids."

In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it tonify the Kidneys and strengthen the Kidney Yang.
View herb details
Xian Mao
Xian Mao

Curculigo rhizomes

Temperature Hot
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Spleen, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Zan Yu Dan
In general Xian Mao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies Kidney Yang and treats Kidney Yang Deficiency patterns. Strengthens the bones and sinews. Clears Cold and Dampness."

In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it tonify the Kidneys and strengthen the Kidney Yang.
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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 Zan Yu Dan
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."

In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it tonify the Kidneys and strengthen the Kidney Yang.
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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 Zan Yu Dan
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."

In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it tonify the Kidneys and strengthen the Kidney 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 Zan Yu Dan
In general Shu Di huang's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys."

In the context of Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it is combined with the key ingredients to tonify the Yin and replenish the Essence.
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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 Zan Yu Dan
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 Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it is combined with the key ingredients to tonify the Yin and replenish the Essence.
View herb details
Gou Qi Zi
Gou Qi Zi

Goji berries

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Zan Yu Dan
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 Zan Yu Dan, it is used because it is combined with the key ingredients to tonify the Yin and replenish the Essence.
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Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu

Atractylodes rhizomes

Temperature Warm
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Spleen, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Zan Yu Dan
Bai Zhu strengthens the Spleen and eliminate Dampness. It not only strengthen the transportive function of the Spleen and Stomach, it also transforms and transports the Essence to a slight extent, thereby assisting the formula in tonifying and replenishing the Kidney Essence.
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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Zan Yu Dan

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, Zan Yu Dan may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.