1. Heart Fluid Deficiency: Red Tip of the Tongue, Cracked Tongue
Cause: Insufficient fluids in the heart and related tissues lead to dryness and lack of nourishment in the heart, internal organs, orifices, and skin.
Manifestations: Thirst, reduced urination, dry skin, possible flaking or itching, brittle hair, cracked lips, red tongue with little coating and cracks, thin pulse, etc.
Regulation: Tian Wang Bu Xin Wan (Heavenly Emperor’s Heart-Supplementing Pill): This formula primarily consists of herbs that nourish yin and calm the spirit, clinically used for yin deficiency and blood deficiency, restlessness, insomnia, etc. Ingredients like Xuan Shen (Scrophularia), Tian Dong (Asparagus), and Mai Dong (Ophiopogon) have a sweet and cold nature to nourish and clear empty heat, while Dan Shen (Salvia) and Dang Gui (Angelica) are used to tonify and nourish blood. All these are designed to nourish yin and replenish blood. The formula also includes Bai Zi Ren (Platycladus) and Yuan Zhi (Polygala) to nourish the heart and calm the spirit, while Dang Shen (Codonopsis) and Fu Ling (Poria) tonify qi and calm the heart, and Suan Zao Ren (Sour Jujube) and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra) help to consolidate heart qi and calm the spirit. These ingredients work together to replenish heart qi and calm the spirit. The combination addresses both the root cause of yin and blood deficiency and the symptoms of restlessness and insomnia, allowing for self-healing. The addition of Ju Pi (Tangerine Peel) generally aids in the upward movement of the formula. The inclusion of Gan Cao (Licorice) enhances the spleen and tonifies qi.
2. Liver Fluid Deficiency: Dryness of the Eyes
Cause: Liver yin deficiency leads to abnormal generation or distribution of fluids.
Manifestations: Dry mouth, dry and painful eyes, blurred vision, dry and rough skin, flaking, itching, constipation, insomnia with vivid dreams, etc.
Regulation: Qi Ju Di Huang Wan (Goji and Chrysanthemum Rehmannia Pill): This formula is based on the Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) with the addition of Goji Berries and Chrysanthemum. Key ingredients include Goji Berries, Chrysanthemum, Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia), Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus), Ze Xie (Alisma), Fu Ling (Poria), and Mu Dan Pi (Moutan). Shu Di Huang nourishes yin and replenishes blood, Shan Zhu Yu and Shan Yao tonify the spleen and benefit the liver and kidneys, while Fu Ling, Ze Xie, and Mu Dan Pi promote urination and drain dampness. Additionally, Chrysanthemum calms the liver and brightens the eyes, and Goji Berries nourish the liver and improve vision. The entire formula works to invigorate blood, resolve stasis, and nourish the eyes.
3. Spleen Fluid Deficiency: Bad Breath
Cause: Weakness of the spleen and stomach leads to qi and blood deficiency, resulting in disordered transformation and transportation, causing insufficient fluid generation or uneven distribution.
Manifestations: Bad breath, dry mouth, dry tongue, hard stools, poor appetite, red tongue with little coating, fatigue, digestive issues, heat in the palms and soles, irritability, chest tightness, abdominal distension, greasy tongue coating, etc.
Regulation: Ren Shen Gui Pi Wan (Ginseng and Spleen-Supplementing Pill): This formula treats spleen qi deficiency and spleen’s inability to control blood. Key ingredients include Huang Qi (Astragalus) to tonify the spleen and qi as the monarch herb; Ren Shen (Ginseng) and Bai Zhu (Atractylodes) assist Huang Qi in tonifying spleen qi as minister herbs; Long Yan Rou (Longan), Dang Gui, Fu Ling, Suan Zao Ren, and Yuan Zhi nourish the heart and calm the spirit, supporting the mother to strengthen the child. Mu Xiang (Saussurea) awakens the spleen qi and promotes its flow, serving as an assistant herb; Gan Cao harmonizes the other herbs, acting as a messenger. This formula treats both the heart and spleen, focusing on tonifying the spleen and simultaneously replenishing qi and blood, making it an excellent formula for tonifying qi and strengthening the spleen.
4. Lung Fluid Deficiency: Nasal Dryness
Cause: Deficiency of the fluid secreted on the surface of the lungs leads to a lack of nourishment and moisture in the lungs.
Manifestations: Dry nasal passages, dry cough without phlegm, thirst, dry throat, emaciation, pale complexion, scanty phlegm that is difficult to expel, etc.
Regulation: Yang Yin Qing Fei Wan (Nourishing Yin and Clearing the Lungs Pill): This formula is first recorded in the “Zhong Lou Yu Shi”. Key ingredients include Di Huang (Rehmannia) to nourish yin and clear heat as the monarch herb; Mai Dong (Ophiopogon) nourishes yin and clears the lungs, while Xuan Shen (Scrophularia) nourishes yin, generates fluids, drains fire, and detoxifies as minister herbs, providing the function of generating fluids and moistening dryness; supplemented with Dan Pi (Moutan) to clear heat and cool the blood, Bai Shao (White Peony) to nourish yin and blood, and Chuan Bei Mu (Fritillaria) to moisten the lungs, transform phlegm, and clear heat. A small amount of Bo He (Mint) is added for its cooling and dispersing properties, benefiting the throat, while Gan Cao drains fire, detoxifies, and harmonizes the other herbs, serving as a messenger. The entire formula works synergistically to nourish yin, clear the lungs, detoxify, and benefit the throat.
5. Kidney Fluid Deficiency: Tinnitus and Hearing Loss
Cause: Insufficient kidney yin fluid fails to nourish and moisten the body.
Manifestations: Tinnitus, hearing loss, dry throat, red cheeks, short and dark urine, hard stools, lower back and knee pain, emaciation, five hearts heat, tidal fever and night sweats, dizziness, insomnia with vivid dreams, memory decline, irritability, red tongue with little coating, thin and rapid pulse, etc.
Regulation: Zuo Gui Wan (Left Return Pill), originating from the “Jing Yue Quan Shu”, uses Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia) as the monarch herb to fill true yin and nourish kidney water. The minister herbs include Goji Berries and Shan Zhu Yu to assist its function, along with Gui Ban Jiao (Tortoise Shell Gel) and Lu Jiao Jiao (Deer Antler Gel) as nourishing substances. Gui Ban Jiao primarily nourishes yin to enrich kidney water, while Lu Jiao Jiao supplements yang to warm the womb and nourish the embryo. The combination of these two gels connects the Ren and Du meridians, benefiting essence and filling marrow. This formula embodies the principle of “seeking yin within yang” and is the primary formula for “strengthening water”. Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta) and Chuan Niu Xi (Cyathula) strengthen the kidneys and bones, while Shan Yao (Chinese Yam) nourishes the spleen and kidneys, enhancing postnatal health, collectively achieving the effect of nourishing the kidneys and filling yin.