Source: Essential Formulas to Support Longevity (1534)
Category: Formulas that Tonify Yin
Pattern: Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency
Key Symptoms: Premature greying or loss of hair, dizziness, blurred vision, insomnia, dream disturbed sleep
Secondary Symptoms: Weakness, soreness, atrophy of the lower back and knees, dry mouth and throat, spontaneous emissions
Tongue: Red and dry body or sides
Pulse: Thin, or deep and weak
Ingredients
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Nu Zhen Zi
| 15g | |
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Pinyin: Nu Zhen Zi
Chinese: 女貞子
Pharmaceutical: Fructus Ligustri Lucidi
Taxonomy: Ligustrum Lucidim
English: Glossy Privet Fruit |
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Tastes: Sweet, bitter, cool
Meridians Entered: Liver and Kidney |
Actions & Indications:
- Nourishes and tonifies Liver and Kidney Yin
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiencies with dizziness, spots before the eyes, lower back soreness, premature graying of the hair and tinnitus
- Clears Deficiency Heat
Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire Rising
- Improves vision
Diminished visual acuity in those with Liver and Kidney Deficiencies
- Aids fasting
Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, make one fat and strong, the body light and prevent forgetfulness. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生).
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Standard Dosage: 10-15g in decoction. Alcohol extracts may be preferable to extract the oleanolic and ursolic acid content.
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Mo Han Lian
| 15g | | |
Pinyin: Mo Han Lian / Han Lian Cao
Chinese: 墨旱莲 / 旱蓮草
Pharmaceutical: Herba Ecliptae
Taxonomy: Eclipta prostrata seu alba
English: False Daisy / Eclipta / Yerba de Tago |
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Tastes: Sweet, sour, cold
Meridians Entered: Liver and Kidney |
Actions & Indications:
- Nourishes and tonifies Liver and Kidney Yin
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiencies with dizziness, blurred vision, vertigo, and premature graying of the hair
- Cools the Blood and stops bleeding
Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire Rising and bleeding due to Heat in the Blood with hematemesis, hemoptysis, epistaxis, hemafecia, uterine bleeding and especially hematuria
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Standard Dosage: 10-30g in decoction.
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Preparation: Decoction.
Actions: Tonifies and benefits the Liver and Kidneys
Contraindications: Patterns lacking Yin deficiency or Heat
Research Links:
Reference Notes: (click to display)
Most formulas are found in Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet (2009): Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies and Chen & Chen (2015) Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications. Others are from translations of primary sources. It is recommended that the original material is cross-referenced for mistakes and additional information.
Substitutions have been taken from Ken Lloyd & Prof. Leung (2004): Mayway UK Substitution List or the above publications and are intended as suggestions to help navigate the tight restrictions in the UK quickly. More applicable substitutions may be appropriate in specific situations.
Individual herb information has initially been sourced from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted.
