Chinese: 二至丸
Pinyin: Èr Zhì Wán
Other names: Two Solstice Pill,
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: InsomniaHemorrhageProlonged periods and three other conditions
- Nourishes Liver Yin
- Nourishes Kidney Yin
Contraindications: Contraindicated for people with weak digestive systems, because the two herbs... Contraindicated for people with weak digestive systems, because the two herbs in this formula are cooling. see more
Source date: 1534 AD
Source book: Essential Formulas to Support Longevity
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Er Zhi Wan is a 2-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Glossy Privet Fruits (Nu Zhen Zi) and Eclipta Herbs (Mo han lian) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 1534 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish Yin and tonify. Its main actions are: 1) nourishes Liver Yin and 2) nourishes Kidney Yin.
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 Er Zhi Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Kidney Yin Deficiency, Kidney-Deficiency or Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as prolonged periods, abnormal uterine bleeding or intermenstrual bleeding for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the two ingredients in Er Zhi Wan, we review the patterns and conditions that Er Zhi Wan helps treat.
The two ingredients in Er Zhi Wan
Nu Zhen Zi is a king ingredient in Er Zhi Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Glossy Privet Fruits (Nu Zhen Zi)
Part used: Dried fruit
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
Nu Zhen Zi is sweet, bitter, and cool. It enriches the Kidneys and nourishes the Liver. Together with Mo han lian it nourishes the Yin aspects of the Liver and Kidneys, without being cloying.
Mo han lian is a king ingredient in Er Zhi Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. Eclipta Herbs (Mo han lian)
Part used: Dried aerial part
Nature: Cold
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
Mo han lian is sweet, sour, and cold. It supplies the Essence, nourishes the Yin and cools the Blood to stop bleeding. Together with Nu Zhen Zi it nourishes the Yin aspects of the Liver and the Kidneys, without being cloying.
Conditions and patterns for which Er Zhi Wan may be prescribed
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Er Zhi Wan is used by TCM practitioners to treat five different patterns which we describe below.
But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:
Prolonged periods Abnormal uterine bleeding Intermenstrual bleeding Menopausal syndrome Insomnia Hemorrhage
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Er Zhi Wan treats prolonged periods" for instance. Rather, Er Zhi Wan is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind prolonged periods.
Now let's look at the five patterns commonly treated with Er Zhi Wan.
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Tongue shape: Cracked
Symptoms: Anxiety Vertigo Itching Sweating Tinnitus Insomnia Dry hair Dry skin Back pain Tiredness Lassitude Dizziness Bone ache Sore back Dry mouth Depression Sore knees Weak knees Dry throat Dry tongue Dry stools Limbs pain Infertility Malar flush Poor memory Constipation Night sweats Little sperm Irritability Restlnessness Five palm heat Scanty periods Blurred vision Lower back pain Evening anxiety Weak lower back Feeling of heat Poor constitution Diminished hearing Nocturnal emissions Hot palms and soles Scanty dark urination Premature ejaculation Menopausal hot flushes Excessive sexual desire White vaginal discharge Dry mouth and throat at night Feeling of heat in the evening Low-grade fever in the afternoon Thirst with desire to drink in small sips
Er Zhi Wan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Kidney Yin Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as sweating, back pain, diminished hearing and dry mouth and throat at night. Patients with Kidney Yin Deficiency typically exhibit rapid (Shu), empty (Xu) or floating (Fu) pulses as well as Red tongue without coating, cracked in severe cases.
This pattern often accompanies Kidney Essence Deficiency, as Kidney Yin includes Essence. When both element are depleted in the Kidneys, not enough Marrow is generated to fill the Brain, thus the symptoms of dizziness, tinnitus, vertigo and poor memory. The dizziness is mild and the tinnitus is... read more about Kidney Yin Deficiency
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney-Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Symptoms: Tinnitus Back pain Knee pain Dizziness Sore back Pale face Cold limbs Weak knees Amenorrhea Late period Malar flush Night sweats Restlessness Scanty periods Feeling of cold Frequent urination Pale menstrual blood Thin and watery periods Feeling of heat in the evening
Er Zhi Wan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Kidney-Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as scanty periods, pale menstrual blood, back pain and knee pain. Patients with Kidney-Deficiency typically exhibit deep (Chen) or weak (Ruo) pulses as well as a pale tongue.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Fine (Xi), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Symptoms: Tinnitus Dizziness Back pain Dark Urine Night sweats
Er Zhi Wan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood. This pattern leads to symptoms such as dizziness, tinnitus, night sweats and back pain. Patients with Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood typically exhibit rapid (Shu), empty (Xu), fine (Xi) or floating (Fu) pulses as well as a red tongue with complete absence of coating.
Learn more about Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency causing Heat in the Blood
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
Symptoms: Chills Fatigue Sweating Tinnitus Lassitude Back pain Dizziness Depression Dry throat Hot flushes Hypertension Irritability Palpitations Night sweats Frequent urination Menopausal symptoms Cold hands and feet Sore and weak limbs Irregular menstruation
Er Zhi Wan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang. This pattern leads to symptoms such as menopausal symptoms, hypertension, irregular menstruation and hot flushes.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Deficiency of the Liver and Kidney Yin
Tongue color: Red
Symptoms: Insomnia Dry mouth Dizziness Hair loss Sore knees Weak knees Dry tongue Hair Graying Blurred vision Dream disturbed sleep Spontaneous and nocturnal emissions Soreness and weakness in the lower back
Er Zhi Wan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Deficiency of the Liver and Kidney Yin. This pattern leads to symptoms such as sore knees, soreness and weakness in the lower back, weak knees and dry mouth. Patients with Deficiency of the Liver and Kidney Yin typically exhibit a red tongue
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