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There is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb that nourishes blood, moistens yin, and replenishes essence and marrow, which can be used for symptoms such as blood deficiency, irregular menstruation, liver and kidney yin deficiency, and deficiency of essence and blood.
Li Shizhen recorded in the “Compendium of Materia Medica” (Bencao Gangmu) Volume 16 that it can “fill the marrow, promote muscle growth, generate fluids and blood, and nourish the five organs… benefit the ears and eyes, and darken the hair.” This herb is known as Shudi Huang (熟地黄, Rehmannia Glutinosa).
Shudi Huang originates from the medical masterpiece “Emergency Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold” (Beiji Qianjin Yaofang) by the Medicine King Sun Simiao, originally named “Shu Gan Di Huang” and is now commonly referred to as Shudi.
Shudi Huang is made from the roots of the plant Rehmannia, which belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family, and is processed; the unprocessed form is called Sheng Di Huang (生地黄, Raw Rehmannia), which has different effects.
Properties of Shudi Huang
Shudi Huang has a sweet flavor and a slightly warm nature, with the effects of “nourishing blood, moistening yin, and replenishing essence and marrow.”
The Ming Dynasty medical master Zhang Jingyue was known for his effective use of Shudi Huang, earning him the title “Zhang Shudi.” He recorded in the “Complete Works of Jingyue” that: “Qi is the master of Yang and is active, while blood is the master of Yin and is static. To tonify Qi, ginseng is the main herb, while astragalus and atractylodes can only assist; to tonify blood, Shudi is the main herb, while angelica and ligusticum can only assist… For any deficiency of Yin blood in the meridians, Shudi is indispensable.”
Applications of Shudi Huang
Shudi Huang can be used for blood deficiency syndrome, women’s menstrual irregularities, liver and kidney yin deficiency, and deficiency of essence and blood. Its uses and compatibility can be categorized into five types.
1 Shudi Huang for Regulating Qi and Blood Deficiency
Blood deficiency can weaken the nourishment to the heart and liver, causing symptoms such as pale or sallow complexion, dizziness, insomnia, and palpitations. Shudi Huang has a strong blood-nourishing effect and is characterized by “tonifying blood without causing stasis.”
To regulate the aforementioned blood deficiency symptoms, one can use 9 grams of Shudi Huang, 9 grams of Bai Shao (白芍, White Peony), 6 grams of Chuan Xiong (川芎, Ligusticum), and 9 grams of Dang Gui (当归, Angelica). This combination is known in TCM as the “Basic Blood Tonifying Formula,” and many well-known blood tonifying combinations are derived from it.
If blood deficiency symptoms are accompanied by Qi deficiency, one can use 9 grams of Shudi Huang combined with 6 grams of Ren Shen (人参, Ginseng); if adding 15 grams each of Bai Zhu (白术, Atractylodes), Fu Ling (茯苓, Poria), Dang Gui, and Bai Shao, the Qi and blood tonifying effects are even more pronounced.
2 Shudi Huang for Regulating Menstrual Issues Due to Qi and Blood Imbalance
There is an old saying in TCM: “Men rely on Qi, while women rely on blood.” Smooth circulation of Qi and blood is essential for regular menstruation; issues often arise from blood deficiency and blood stasis.
Shudi Huang has a slightly warm nature and is adept at nourishing blood and moistening yin, making it suitable for women with menstrual irregularities, especially those with blood deficiency without Qi stagnation or blood stasis, often combined with Dang Gui, Bai Shao, and Chuan Xiong.
Li Shizhen also recorded in the “Compendium of Materia Medica” that Shudi Huang can be combined with Dang Gui and Huang Lian (黄连, Coptis) to regulate menstrual irregularities caused by deficiency of the Chong and Ren meridians, with blood deficiency and heat.
Additionally, Shudi Huang, when charred, has hemostatic properties and can be used to regulate excessive menstrual flow with blood deficiency symptoms.
3 Shudi Huang for Regulating Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency
Symptoms of liver and kidney yin deficiency mainly include soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, hot flashes, night sweats, and nocturnal emissions. Shudi Huang is moistening in nature, enters the liver and kidney meridians, and is one of the main herbs for nourishing yin blood, making it a commonly used herb for regulating liver and kidney yin deficiency, often combined with 15 grams of Shan Yao (山药, Chinese Yam), 12 grams of Shan Zhu Yu (山茱萸, Cornus), 12 grams of Dan Pi (丹皮, Moutan Root), and 15 grams of Fu Ling.
If liver and kidney yin deficiency is accompanied by symptoms of empty heat, one can combine Shudi Huang with pig spinal marrow, Zhi Mu (知母, Anemarrhena), Huang Bai (黄柏, Phellodendron), and Gui Jiao (龟甲, Turtle Shell); to regulate internal heat and nourish yin, one can combine Shudi Huang with Gui Jiao, 12 grams of Suo Yang (锁阳, Cynomorium), and 12 grams of Zhi Mu.
Furthermore, based on the theory of “seeking Yang within Yin,” Shudi Huang is warm in nature, nourishes yin without harming Yang Qi, and can be combined with 9 grams of Gou Qi Zi (枸杞子, Goji Berries), 15 grams of Shan Yao, 9 grams of Shan Zhu Yu, 9 grams of Zhi Fu Zi (制附子, Prepared Aconite), and 3 grams of Rou Gui (肉桂, Cinnamon) to regulate symptoms of kidney Yang deficiency.
4 Shudi Huang for Diabetes
In TCM, diabetes is referred to as “Xiao Ke” (消渴病), and Shudi Huang can be used for the “lower consumption” symptoms of diabetes. Due to the complexity of diabetes symptoms and variations in clinical combinations, professional guidance from a physician is recommended.
5 Shudi Huang for Nourishing Essence and Filling Marrow
According to the theory of “essence and blood sharing the same source,” Shudi Huang not only nourishes blood and moistens yin but also replenishes essence and fills marrow. Deficiency of essence and blood can lead to symptoms such as developmental delays in children, cognitive decline in adults, early aging, forgetfulness, confusion, blurred vision, premature graying of hair, and male reproductive dysfunction.
Shudi Huang has a regulating effect on the above symptoms and can be used in combination with 12 grams of Zhi He Shou Wu (制何首乌, Prepared Fo-Ti), 9 grams of Gou Qi Zi, 9 grams of Lu Jiao Jiao (鹿角胶, Deer Antler Glue), and 9 grams of Gui Jiao for blood tonifying and essence replenishing.
Usage and Precautions for Shudi Huang
Shudi Huang has a sticky quality that can hinder digestion when taken internally, so it is suitable to use with Chen Pi (陈皮, Dried Tangerine Peel) and Sha Ren (砂仁, Amomum) to strengthen the spleen and stomach and alleviate obstruction.
Traditionally, it is believed that charred Shudi Huang can enhance its hemostatic effects, so charred Shudi is often used for stopping bleeding.
Shudi Huang is stickier than Sheng Di Huang and can promote dampness, leading to Qi stagnation and hindering digestion; therefore, it should be used according to symptoms and constitution to achieve the best medicinal effects.
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