Formula Formulas that warm Yang and tonify

Tu Si Zi Wan

菟丝子丸

Also known as:

Cuscuta Seed Pill

Formula Composition

Tu Si Zi
Tu Si Zi
Lu Rong
Lu Rong
Rou Cong Rong
Rou Cong Rong
Shan Yao
Shan Yao
Zhi Fu Zi
Zhi Fu Zi
Wu Yao
Wu Yao
Wu Wei Zi
Wu Wei Zi
Sang Piao Shao
Sang Piao Shao
Yi Zhi Ren
Yi Zhi Ren
Mu Li ke
Mu Li ke
Ji nei jin
Ji nei jin
View detailed herb information
Kings
Main ingredient
Deputies
Assists main
Assistants
Supports
Envoy
Directs formula
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Formula Properties

Main Actions

  1. Warms the Kidneys
  2. Prevents abnormal leakage such as urinary incontinence or seminal emissions

Patterns Treated

Kidney Essence Deficiency, Kidney Qi not Firm, Kidney Yang Deficiency

Historical Origin

Formulas to Aid the Living (1253 AD)

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of Tu Si Zi Wan

Main Actions

Warms the Kidneys
Prevents abnormal leakage such as urinary incontinence or seminal emissions

Key TCM Concepts

Tu Si Zi Wan is a 11-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Cuscuta Seeds (Tu Si Zi), Pilose Antlers (Lu Rong), Desert-Living Cistanches (Rou Cong Rong) and Yam (Shan Yao) as principal ingredients.

 

Invented in 1253 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm Yang and tonify. Its main actions are: 1) warms the Kidneys and 2) prevents abnormal leakage such as urinary incontinence or seminal emissions.

 

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 Tu Si Zi Wan is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Kidney Essence Deficiency, Kidney Qi not Firm or Kidney Yang Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as urinary incontinence, seminal emission or premature ejaculation for instance.

TCM Patterns Addressed

  • Kidney Essence Deficiency
  • Kidney Qi not Firm
  • Kidney Yang Deficiency

Common Applications

Urinary incontinence Seminal emission Premature ejaculation

Ingredients in Tu Si Zi Wan

Detailed information about each herb in Tu Si Zi Wan and their roles

Kings
Deputies
Assistants
Envoys
Tu Si Zi
Tu Si Zi

Cuscuta seeds

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

In the context of Tu Si Zi Wan, it is used because it , together with other key herbs of the formula, tonifies the Kidneys.
View herb details
Lu Rong
Lu Rong

Pilose antlers

Temperature Warm
Taste Salty, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Young unossified hairy antler of male cervus nippon
Role in Tu Si Zi Wan
In general Lu Rong's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies Kidney Yang and the Governor vessel. Supplies Essence, Qi and Blood and supports growth. Strengthens the sinews and bones. Treats infertility and impotence."

In the context of Tu Si Zi Wan, it is used because it , together with other key herbs of the formula, tonifies the Kidneys.
View herb details
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 Tu Si Zi Wan
In general Rou Cong Rong's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies Kidney Yang, Restores Essence and Blood. Induces laxation."

In the context of Tu Si Zi Wan, it is used because it , together with other key herbs of the formula, tonifies the Kidneys.
View herb details
Shan Yao
Shan Yao

Yam

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried rhizome
Role in Tu Si Zi 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."

In the context of Tu Si Zi Wan, it is used because it , together with other key herbs of the formula, tonifies the Kidneys.
View herb details
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 Tu Si Zi Wan
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 Tu Si Zi Wan, it is used because it warms the Kidney Yang.
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Wu Yao
Wu Yao

Lindera roots

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Kidneys, Lungs, Spleen
Parts Used Dried root tuber
Role in Tu Si Zi Wan
In general Wu Yao's main actions are as follows: "Warms and stimulates the flow of Qi and relieves pain. Disperses Cold and Warms the Kidneys."

In the context of Tu Si Zi Wan, it is used because it it moves and dispels the cold Qi from the Kidneys and Bladder.
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Wu Wei Zi
Wu Wei Zi

Schisandra berries

Temperature Warm
Taste Sour, Sweet
Organ Affinity Heart, Kidneys, Lungs
Parts Used Dried ripe fruits
Role in Tu Si Zi Wan
In general Wu Wei Zi's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Kidneys and preserves the Essence. Astringes the Lung Qi and stops coughing. Retains Bodily Fluids and encourages their production. Tonifies the Heart and calms the spirit (Shen)."

In the context of Tu Si Zi Wan, it is used because it binds and grasps the Kidney Qi.
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Sang Piao Shao
Sang Piao Shao

Praying Mantis Egg-Cases

Temperature Neutral
Taste Salty, Sweet
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used Dried egg capsule
Role in Tu Si Zi Wan
In general Sang Piao Shao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies Kidneys and strengthens Yang. Restrains Essence and decreases urination."

In the context of Tu Si Zi Wan, it is used because it assists the key herbs in strengthening the Kidney Qi..
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Yi Zhi Ren
Yi Zhi Ren

Sharp-leaf galangal fruits

Temperature Warm
Taste Pungent
Organ Affinity Kidneys, Spleen
Parts Used Dried ripe fruit
Role in Tu Si Zi Wan
In general Yi Zhi Ren's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies Kidney Yang and consolidates Kidney Qi. Warms the Spleen and stops diarrhea and salivation."

In the context of Tu Si Zi Wan, it is used because it assists the key herbs in strengthening the Kidney Qi..
View herb details
Mu Li ke
Mu Li ke

Oyster shells

Temperature Cold
Taste Salty
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Gallbladder, Kidneys, Liver
Parts Used The shell
Role in Tu Si Zi Wan
In general Mu Li ke's main actions are as follows: "Calms and anchors the spirit. Moistens Dryness. Softens and removes lumps. Nourish the Yin and subdues the overflowing of the Yang,"

In the context of Tu Si Zi Wan, it is used because it assists the key herbs in strengthening the Kidney Qi..
View herb details
Ji nei jin
Ji nei jin

Chicken gizzard skins

Temperature Neutral
Taste Sweet
Organ Affinity Urinary Bladder, Spleen, Stomach, Small Intestine
Parts Used Lining of the chicken gizzard
Role in Tu Si Zi Wan
In general Ji nei jin's main actions are as follows: "Improves digestion and unblocks Food Stagnation. Dissolves stones in the urinary or biliary tract."

In the context of Tu Si Zi Wan, it is used because it treats the urinary frequency and incontinence.
View herb details

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for Tu Si Zi 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, Tu Si Zi 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.