Chinese: 玉女湯
Pinyin: Yu Nu Tang
Other names: Jade Woman Decoction
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: DiabetesGlossitisStomatitis and three other conditions
- Drains heat from the Stomach
- Nourishes the Yin
Contraindications: According to the source text, this formula is contraindicated in those with... According to the source text, this formula is contraindicated in those with diarrhea. see more
Source date: 1624 AD
Source book: Collected Treatises of [Zhang] fing-yue
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.
Yu Nu Tang is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Gypsum (Shi Gao) and Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) as principal ingredients.
Invented in 1624 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat from the Organs. Its main actions are: 1) drains heat from the Stomach and 2) nourishes the 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.
From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as stomatitis, glossitis or periodontitis for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the four ingredients in Yu Nu Tang, we review the patterns and conditions that Yu Nu Tang helps treat.
The four ingredients in Yu Nu Tang
Shi Gao is a king ingredient in Yu Nu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Gypsum (Shi Gao)
Part used: The mineral itself
Nature: Cold
Meridian affinity: LungStomach
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Shi Gao clears Fire from the Stomach and there by relieves the fever, rritability, and thirst. It is an important substance for treating toothache due to Stomach fire.
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Yu Nu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
2. 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 Yu Nu Tang, it is used because it nourishes Kidney water insufficiency, which enables water to restrain Fire. .
Zhi Mu is a deputy ingredient in Yu Nu Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Anemarrhena Rhizomes (Zhi Mu)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Cold
Meridian affinity: KidneyLungStomach
Category: Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
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 Yu Nu Tang, it is used because it helps Gypsum clear Heat from the Stomach and also nourishes the Yin.
Mai Dong is a deputy ingredient in Yu Nu Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. Dwarf Lilyturf Roots (Mai Dong)
Part used: Dried root tuber
Nature: Cool
Meridian affinity: HeartLungStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
Mai Dong is very effective in moistening the Stomach, generating fluids, and alleviating irritability. It nourishes the Yin primarily in the middle and upper burners, and thus complement the action of Prepared Rehmannia. which nourishes the Kidney Yin.
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