Author | Wang Fankun Editor | Chunfeng Review | Xiao Ye
The body is deficient and needs nourishment. However, deficiency can be categorized into various types such as Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang.
Among these, the most important are Yin deficiency and Yang deficiency. “Yin deficiency leads to heat, while Yang deficiency leads to cold.” A key point in determining Yin and Yang deficiency is to observe the body’s cold and heat.
Yang deficiency often manifests as fear of cold, cold limbs, etc.; while Yin deficiency typically presents with a preference for coolness, hot hands and feet, etc.
Many friends compare their symptoms to their own conditions and then purchase corresponding medicines for nourishment, but the results are often unsatisfactory.
In fact, pure Yang and Yin conditions are quite rare. Since Yin and Yang are relative, they are interdependent and closely related.
Some individuals may experience both Yin and Yang deficiency, such as being afraid of both cold and heat, having cold hands and feet, as well as symptoms of heat like oral ulcers. This indicates a mixed condition of cold and heat or dual deficiency of Yin and Yang.
Dual deficiency of Yin and Yang is caused by various factors such as weak constitution, lack of nourishment after birth, and external or internal injuries, leading to organ function decline, Yin and Yang deficiency, and prolonged weakness without recovery as the main symptoms.
The formula introduced today is a royal secret recipe from the “Qing Tai Hospital Formulas,” which is suitable for treating dual deficiency of Yin and Yang. It is known as Xianren Huanshao Dan (Immortal’s Return to Youth Pill).
Xianren Huanshao Dan
Xianren Huanshao Dan is indicated for dual deficiency of the Spleen and Kidney Yin and Yang, which can be seen in premature aging, weakness, lack of vitality, pale complexion, weakness in the lower back and knees, lack of taste in food, mental fatigue, dark vision, tinnitus, forgetfulness, insomnia with vivid dreams, night sweats, etc., or in cases of middle-aged impotence, premature ejaculation, etc.
This formula harmonizes the Spleen and Kidney, simultaneously nourishing Yin and Yang. The reference dosage is as follows:
Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia Root) 20g, Shan Yao (Chinese Yam) 15g, Ba Jiao (Morinda Root) 10g, Niu Xi (Achyranthes) 10g, Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra) 10g, Fu Ling (Poria) 15g, Che Qian Zi (Plantago Seed) 10g, Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry) 10g, Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel) 10g, Rou Cong Rong (Cistanche) 10g, Du Zhong (Eucommia) 10g, Yuan Zhi (Polygala) 10g, and Chang Pu (Acorus) 10g.
When it comes to nourishing the Kidney, many people think of the famous formula “Liu Wei Di Huang Wan” (Six Flavor Rehmannia Pill), where the monarch herb, Di Huang (Rehmannia), is essential for nourishing Kidney Yin.
Shu Di, also known as “Di Sui,” as the name suggests, absorbs the essence of the earth, thus effectively nourishing the body’s essence and blood, and replenishing true Yin.
Additionally, Shan Yao is also one of the components of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, with a neutral nature and sweet, sour flavor, making it a key herb for nourishing Kidney Yin.
Due to its sour nature, it can also astringe, thus it is used to treat conditions like premature ejaculation and excessive salivation.
Wu Wei Zi can also be used for astringing, and it can tonify Qi and generate fluids, calm the mind, and nourish Lung Yin, astringing Lung Qi, harmonizing the five organs, and nourishing the Yin of the five organs.
Gou Qi is known as the ruby of Chinese medicine, capable of nourishing the Liver and Kidney, benefiting essence and brightening the eyes, making it an excellent herb for Kidney nourishment.
When there is insufficient water in the body, it cannot suppress the fire, leading to a condition of Yin deficiency with excess fire. In addition to nourishing Yin and replenishing Kidney water, some herbs are needed to clear away the floating fire.
Che Qian Zi nourishes the Liver and Kidney while also clearing internal floating fire, treating Yin deficiency with excess fire due to Liver and Kidney insufficiency. Moreover, Che Qian Zi can benefit essence and brighten the eyes, working well with Gou Qi to alleviate dry eye symptoms caused by Liver and Kidney insufficiency.
The above herbs target symptoms of weakness in the lower back and knees, weakness in the legs, irritability, dizziness, tinnitus, weight loss, insomnia with vivid dreams, night sweats, etc., caused by Kidney Yin deficiency and excess fire.
Having addressed Yin deficiency, let’s look at how to treat Yang deficiency. Yang deficiency primarily manifests as fatigue, lack of energy, easy fatigue; fear of cold, cold limbs, heavy body; lower back and knee pain, cold pain in the lower back, and weakness of the muscles and bones.
In the formula, Rou Cong Rong and Ba Jiao are two excellent herbs for warming Kidney Yang and nourishing Kidney essence.
Rou Cong Rong, also known as “Desert Ginseng,” indicates its excellent nourishing effects. It can replenish the body’s essence and blood, and its properties are mild, not overly warming or greasy, which would hinder the absorption of the medicinal effects, making it a good herb for gently nourishing Kidney essence.
Xiao Hui Xiang is a familiar spice, used both as food and medicine. It can warm the Kidney, dispel cold, regulate Qi, and harmonize the stomach.
When Kidney Yang is insufficient, cold pathogens can easily develop in the body. Due to the stagnation caused by cold pathogens, when Yang Qi is insufficient, it cannot effectively warm and promote, leading to cold pathogens lingering in the body for a long time. Once the cold is dispelled, the symptoms of cold limbs and fear of cold will improve.
Xiao Hui Xiang, being pungent and warm, can help Qi flow and assist in expelling cold from the body. Additionally, herbs like Shu Di are nourishing and greasy, while Xiao Hui Xiang helps to regulate Qi to aid digestion and prevent Shu Di from causing digestive issues.
Furthermore, the formula also includes Du Zhong and Niu Xi, both of which also have the effect of tonifying the Kidney and strengthening Yang, warming the original Yang, strengthening the muscles and bones, and dispelling wind and cold, providing good treatment for lower back and knee pain caused by Kidney Yang deficiency.
The Kidney governs the marrow, and the sea of marrow is the brain. Kidney deficiency can lead to insufficient marrow, resulting in feelings of fatigue and decreased memory. Additionally, insufficient fluids in the Kidney can lead to an inability to transport Kidney water upward to the heart, restricting heart fire, which can easily lead to excessive heart fire, causing insomnia. The formula includes Chang Pu and Yuan Zhi for this purpose.
Yuan Zhi can open the nine orifices, making one’s hearing and vision sharp, and is placed first in the treatment of forgetfulness in the “Qian Jin Yi Fang.” Yuan Zhi also has the effect of connecting the heart and Kidney, calming the mind and spirit, and strengthening memory, making it an excellent herb for connecting the heart and Kidney, stabilizing the spirit, and enhancing intelligence.
Chang Pu enters the heart, guiding the Yang Qi of the heart to the upper orifices, enhancing hearing and vision, and sharpening the mind.
The formula also includes Fu Ling, which serves two purposes: on one hand, due to the nourishing nature of Shu Di and other herbs, there may be dampness produced during the course of treatment, and Fu Ling can promote urination and drain dampness while also strengthening the Spleen; on the other hand, Fu Ling can calm the spirit, assisting Chang Pu and Yuan Zhi in awakening the mind and opening the orifices.
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that the health and longevity of the human body are closely related to the functions of the Spleen and Kidney. The Spleen is the foundation of postnatal life, governing the transformation and generation of Qi and Blood; the Kidney is the foundation of prenatal life, governing the storage of essence, Qi, and spirit.
The term “return to youth” refers to repairing the two foundations of the Spleen and Stomach. The Kidney is the underground water of the body, while the Spleen is the soil. When the soil is fertile and the underground water is abundant, along with sufficient Yang Qi, the plants above ground can thrive, delaying aging, enhancing physical strength, and radiating powerful vitality.
Xianren Huanshao Dan primarily focuses on nourishing the Yin and Yang of the Kidney, regulating the Spleen and Stomach, while also benefiting the heart Qi, nourishing the Liver and Lung, harmonizing the five organs, and collectively repairing the damaged foundations.
It is important to note that while Xianren Huanshao Dan is beneficial, it is not suitable for everyone.
According to the principles of TCM diagnosis and treatment, Xianren Huanshao Dan is a formula for tonifying deficiency. For individuals with excess heat, phlegm-damp accumulation, or those with blood stasis, it is not advisable to use the formula as is;
Moreover, some individuals who appear to be deficient may not actually be deficient but may instead be suffering from Qi stagnation or phlegm-damp obstruction. In such cases, it is necessary to use Xianren Huanshao Dan or other formulas under the guidance of a qualified practitioner, and not to use it blindly.
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The content of this article is for reference only. Non-professionals in TCM should not attempt to self-medicate.Original submission: [email protected] (email), chunfeng52566 (WeChat)