Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Chinese: 杞菊地黄丸
Pinyin: Qǐ Jú Dì Huáng Wán
Other names: Lycium Fruit Chrysanthemum and Rehmannia Pill, Rehmannia Six Combination with Lycii berries and Chrysanthemum
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify
Mother formula: Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: CataractGlaucomaDiabetes and eight other conditions
- Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin
- Improves vision
Contraindications: Not for a person with weak digestion or a lack of Yang
Source date: 1350 AD
Source book: Complete Treatise on Measles
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.
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 1350 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish Yin and tonify. Its main actions are: 1) nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin and 2) improves vision.
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 Qi Ju Di Huang Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Liver Yang Rising, Liver Yin Deficiency or Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as menopausal syndrome, diabetes mellitus or diabetes insipidus for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the eight ingredients in Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, we review the patterns and conditions that Qi Ju Di Huang Wan helps treat.
The eight ingredients in Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Qi Ju Di Huang Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang)
Part used: Prepared dried root tuber
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Shu Di huang's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys."
In the context of Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, it is used because it strongly enriches the Kidney Yin and Essence.
Shan Zhu Yu is a deputy ingredient in Qi Ju Di Huang Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. Cornelian Cherries (Shan Zhu Yu)
Part used: Dried ripe sarcocarp
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sour
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that stabilize and bind
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 (Prepared rehmannia) is also required.
Shan Yao is a deputy ingredient in Qi Ju Di Huang Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Yam (Shan Yao)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: SpleenKidneyLung
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
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.
Ze Xie is an assistant ingredient in Qi Ju Di Huang Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
4. Water Plantain (Ze Xie)
Part used: Dried tuber
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: BladderKidney
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
Ze Xie clears and drains the overabundance of Kidney Fire. It is used here to prevent the rich, cloying properties of the key herb (Prepared rehmannia) from congesting the mechanisms of the Kidneys, which would induce even more Heat from Deficiency.
Mu Dan Pi is an assistant ingredient in Qi Ju Di Huang Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
5. Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi)
Part used: Root barks
Nature: Cool
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
Mu Dan Pi clears and drains Liver Fire and is used here to counterbalance the warm properties of Cornelian cherries (Shan Zhu Yu).
Fu Ling is an assistant ingredient in Qi Ju Di Huang Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
Part used: Dried sclerotium
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: SpleenHeartKidneyLung
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
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.
7. Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi)
Part used: Dried ripe fruit
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
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."
8. Chrysanthemum Flowers (Ju Hua)
Part used: Dried capitulum
Nature: Cool
In general Ju Hua's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and clears Heat. Relieves Wind-Heat from the Liver channel and clears the eyes. Cools Heat of the Liver and Kidney due to Yin Deficiency. Relieves patterns of Liver Yang rising."
Conditions and patterns for which Qi Ju Di Huang 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 Qi Ju Di Huang 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:
Menopausal syndrome Diabetes mellitus Diabetes insipidus Cataract Glaucoma Central retinopathy Optic nerve atrophy Optic neuritis Diabetes Ophthalmalgia Photophobia
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Qi Ju Di Huang Wan treats menopausal syndrome" for instance. Rather, Qi Ju Di Huang Wan is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind menopausal syndrome.
Now let's look at the five patterns commonly treated with Qi Ju Di Huang Wan.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Yang Rising
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Red
Symptoms: Anger Tinnitus Deafness Insomnia Headaches Dizziness Dry mouth Dry throat Dry stools Irritability Blurred vision Soreness and weakness of the knees Soreness and weakness in the lower back Stiffness in the neck shoulder and upper back
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Liver Yang Rising. This pattern leads to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, tinnitus and deafness. Patients with Liver Yang Rising typically exhibit wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a red tongue.
Long term Deficiency of Liver Yin, Liver Blood or Kidney Yin can cause Liver Yang rising upwards. This pattern is also called "Arrogant Liver Yang". If left unchecked it can also lead to Liver Wind Agitating Internally.
The symptoms mentioned here are fairly similar to these of Stagnant Liver Qi... read more about Liver Yang Rising
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Wiry (Xian), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red points on the sides
Symptoms: Cramps Insomnia Dry hair Dry skin Dry eyes Dizziness Dry throat Menopausal Amenorrhea Depression Malar flush Blurred vision Scanty periods Muscle weakness Floaters in eyes Numbness in the limbs Dream disturbed sleep Feeling of aimlessness Diminished night vision Hot sensation in the palms Withered and brittle nails Dull-pale complexion without lustre but with red cheekbones
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Liver Yin Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as dry throat, blurred vision, scanty periods and dizziness. Patients with Liver Yin Deficiency typically exhibit rapid (Shu), empty (Xu), wiry (Xian) or floating (Fu) pulses as well as a red points on the sides tongue with complete absence of coating.
This is a type of Empty-Heat pattern arising out of Liver Blood Deficiency or Kidney Yin Deficiency. It shares similar symptoms as Liver Blood Deficiency, but with extra signs of Dryness and Yin-Deficient Heat.
When Liver Yin Deficiency is quite developed as a pattern, it causes Empty-Heat. The read more about Liver Yin Deficiency
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Wiry (Xian), Fine (Xi), Floating (Fu)
Tongue color: Red
Symptoms: Coma Tremor Vertigo Tinnitus Dry eyes Insomnia Dizziness Headaches Back pain Dry throat Facial tic Convulsions Poor memory Hypertension Night sweats Blurred vision Numbness in the limbs Scanty and dark urine Dream disturbed sleep Spasms in the extremities Numbness in the extremities Twitching in the extremities Feeling of heat rushing to the head
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising. This pattern leads to symptoms such as coma, convulsions, dizziness and tremor. Patients with Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising typically exhibit rapid (Shu), empty (Xu), wiry (Xian), fine (Xi) or floating (Fu) pulses as well as a red tongue.
Liver Yang Rising can create Interior Wind if the condition is left unchecked for a long time. This pattern is normally seen among the elderly. Many reasons lead to this pattern such as excessive exercise or sex, prolonged physical exertion, chronic menorrhagia and long term emotional stress from... read more about Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising
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: Vertigo Itching Tinnitus Dry hair Dry skin Dizziness Dry mouth Bone ache Back pain Sore back Dry throat Sore knees Weak knees Dry tongue Dry stools Limbs pain Poor memory Malar flush Night sweats Constipation Irritability Scanty periods Blurred vision Weak lower back Feeling of heat Nocturnal emissions Hot palms and soles White vaginal discharge Feeling of heat in the evening
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Kidney Yin Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as tinnitus, vertigo, dizziness and night sweats. Patients with Kidney Yin Deficiency typically exhibit rapid (Shu), empty (Xu) or floating (Fu) pulses as well as a red tongue with complete absence of coating.
Kidney Yin Deficiency causes false Heat symptoms, such as night sweats, thirst and five palm heat. These signs are from a depletion of Body Fluids and Essence. It can also lead to an insufficient amount of Marrow to fill the Brain, causing poor memory and dizziness. Yin Deficiency of the Kidneys is... read more about Kidney Yin Deficiency
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Symptoms: Tics Vertigo Fatigue Tinnitus Insomnia Dry eyes Dry skin Dizziness Dry mouth Sore back Headaches Amenorrhea Joint pain Dry vagina Hot flushes Night sweats Blurred vision Lightheadedness Lower back pain Diminished hearing Chronic sore throat Hot palms and soles Heat in vaginal and vulvar Feeling of heat in the afternoon Spontaneous and nocturnal emissions Soreness and weakness in the lower back
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as soreness and weakness in the lower back, lightheadedness, vertigo and tinnitus. Patients with Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or fine (Xi) pulses as well as a red tongue with partial absence of coating.
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