Formula Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify

Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan

知柏地黄丸

Also known as:

Anemarrhena Phellodendron and Rehmannia Pill

Formula Composition

Zhi Mu
Zhi Mu
Huang Bo
Huang Bo
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
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports

Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Tonifies Yin
  2. Drains Fire

Patterns Treated

Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing, Kidney Yin Deficiency, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency

Historical Origin

Investigations of Medical Formulas (1584 AD)

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TCM Actions & Uses Formula Ingredients Contraindications

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan

Main Actions

Tonifies Yin
Drains Fire

Key TCM Concepts

Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Anemarrhena Rhizomes (Zhi Mu), Phellodendron Bark (Huang Bo) and Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1584 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish Yin and tonify. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies Yin and 2) drains Fire.

 

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 Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing, Kidney Yin Deficiency or Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as vaginal itching for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing
  • Kidney Yin Deficiency
  • Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency

Ingredients in Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Zhi Mu
Zhi Mu

Anemarrhena rhizomes

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Lungs, Stomach
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan
In general Zhi Mu's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and Fire from the Qi level. Clears Heat and Fire from the Lung and Stomach. Clears Heat and tonifies the Yin."

In the context of Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan, it is used because it is bitter and cooling. It removes excess Heat from the body.
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Huang Bo
Huang Bo

Phellodendron bark

Temperature Cold
Taste Bitter
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys, Large Intestine
Parts Used Dried bark
Role in Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan
In general Huang Bo's main actions are as follows: "Expels Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner. Clears Kidney Yin Deficient Heat. Applied externally or toxic Fire, especially associated with Dampness."

In the context of Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan, it is used because it is bitter and cooling. It removes excess Heat from the body.
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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 Zhi Bo 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 Zhi Bo 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 Zhi Bo 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 (Shu Di Huang) 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 Zhi Bo 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 Zhi Bo 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 (Shu Di Huang) 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 Zhi Bo 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 Zhi Bo 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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Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Zhi Bo Di Huang 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, Zhi Bo 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.