The Efficacy, Nutritional Value, and Precautions of Rehmannia Glutinosa
The efficacy of Rehmannia Glutinosa (Shu Di Huang) includes nourishing blood and moistening, benefiting essence and filling marrow. It is used to treat dizziness, palpitations, irregular menstruation, liver and kidney yin deficiency, nocturnal emissions, and impotence. Precautions for using Rehmannia Glutinosa include avoiding it in cases of spleen and stomach deficiency, qi stagnation with phlegm, abdominal fullness, and loose stools.
Basic Overview
Herb Name: Rehmannia Glutinosa
Alias: Shu Di Huang, Fu Di, Jiu Hu Hua, Shan Yan, Shan Bai Cai
Prescription Names: Shu Di Huang, Shu Di Huang, Da Shu Di Huang
Taste and Properties: Sweet, Warm
Meridians: Liver Meridian, Kidney Meridian
Functions: Nourishes blood and moistens, benefits essence and fills marrow
Indications: Blood deficiency, dizziness, palpitations, irregular menstruation, continuous bleeding, liver and kidney yin deficiency, tidal fever, night sweats, nocturnal emissions, impotence, infertility, soreness of the lower back and knees, tinnitus, blurred vision, premature graying of hair, diabetes, constipation, kidney deficiency with shortness of breath
Dosage: Oral administration: decoction, 10-30g; or in pills or powders; or as a syrup, or soaked in wine.
Source of Medicinal Material: Rehmannia Glutinosa is the tuber of the plant from the Scrophulariaceae family, processed by steaming and drying. 
Effects and Functions
1. Rehmannia Glutinosa fills the bone marrow, promotes muscle growth, generates blood and essence, nourishes the five organs, treats internal injuries, opens the blood vessels, benefits the ears and eyes, darkens hair, and is beneficial for men suffering from overwork and women with menstrual issues. (From “Compendium of Materia Medica”)
2. Rehmannia Glutinosa treats heat in the hands and feet and heart heat, can benefit kidney water and treat blood issues; it is suitable for a strong pulse. If the pulse is weak, Rehmannia Glutinosa is recommended. It can replenish the kidney’s energy. (Li Gao)
3. Rehmannia Glutinosa is used for kidney yin deficiency with tidal fever, bone steaming, night sweats, nocturnal emissions, and diabetes. It is a primary herb for nourishing yin, often used with Shan Yao (Dioscorea), such as in Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six Flavor Rehmannia Pill).
4. Rehmannia Glutinosa nourishes the kidney; it is essential for those with blood deficiency. It also alleviates pain below the navel, which belongs to the kidney meridian; no other herb can replace it. (Zhang Yuansuo)
5. Rehmannia Glutinosa treats bone steaming and body heat: Rehmannia Glutinosa, Dang Gui (Angelica), Di Gu Pi (Lycium), Zhi Ke (Bitter Orange, roasted), Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Qin Jiao (Gentiana), Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena), and Bie Jia (Soft-shelled Turtle, roasted) are combined, boiled with water, and consumed warm with dried plum. (From “New Book for Young Children”)
Consumption Methods
1 Rehmannia Glutinosa and Angelica Wine
Formula: 30g Rehmannia Glutinosa, 30g Angelica, 20g Chuanxiong (Szechuan Lovage), 20g Bai Shao (White Peony), 30g Huang Qi (Astragalus), 30g Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), 15g Xiang Fu (Cyperus), 3 Jin of white liquor.
Preparation: Grind the above herbs into a fine powder, pack into a cloth bag, tie it tightly, and soak in liquor, sealed. Shake once daily, open after 15 days, remove the herb bag, and filter into a bottle for storage.
Effects: Nourishes qi and blood, regulates qi and relieves depression. Suitable for women with menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea, fatigue, poor appetite, and low energy due to blood deficiency and qi weakness.
Dosage: Take 15-20ml twice daily, morning and evening.
2 Rehmannia Glutinosa and He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti) Lean Meat Soup
Ingredients: 640g lean pork, 40g Rehmannia Glutinosa, 80g He Shou Wu.
Preparation:
1. Clean Rehmannia Glutinosa and He Shou Wu;
2. Clean and cut the lean pork into pieces;
3. Place all ingredients in a pot, add appropriate water, and boil vigorously;
4. Simmer on low heat for 2 hours, season, and serve.
Effects: This soup is used for menstrual irregularities, skin nourishment, and aging; it nourishes blood and beautifies the skin, regulating menstruation.
3 Ba Jiao Rehmannia Glutinosa Wine
Formula: 60g Ba Jiao Tian (Morinda), 45g Rehmannia Glutinosa, 30g Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries), 20g Zhi Fu Zi (Prepared Aconite), 60g Gan Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum), 30g Shu Jiao (Sichuan Pepper), 1500ml of liquor.
Preparation:
1. Crush the six herbs together, place in a clean container;
2. Pour in the liquor to soak, seal tightly;
3. After 5 days, open, filter out the residue for use.
Dosage: 10-20ml each time, twice daily, warm and taken on an empty stomach.
Effects: Nourishes the kidney, strengthens yang, promotes muscle growth, and enhances appearance.
Source: “Folk Remedies”
4 Rehmannia Glutinosa and Duck Soup
Ingredients: 1 water duck, 15g Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle), 10g each of raw and cooked Rehmannia Glutinosa, 100g lean meat, salt to taste.
Preparation:
1. Clean the water duck and lean meat;
2. Place the duck, lean meat, and herbs in a clay pot, add enough water, and cook for about 4 hours;
3. Season with oil and salt to finish.
Effects: Clears heat, relieves summer heat, and detoxifies the skin.
5 Rehmannia Glutinosa and Pig Trotter Stew
Ingredients: 500g pig trotters, 100g rapeseed, 10g each of green onion and ginger slices, 1 herb bag (containing 20g Rehmannia Glutinosa and 10g Suan Zao Ren), 10g cooking wine, 3g salt, 1g monosodium glutamate, 0.5g pepper, 1000g clear soup, 5g sesame oil.
Preparation:
1. Cut the rapeseed in half lengthwise. Clean the pig trotters, cut along the bone, and chop into pieces, blanch in boiling water;
2. In a clay pot, add clear soup, cooking wine, and the herb bag, bring to a boil, then add the pig trotters, green onion, and ginger, boil until the trotters are tender, remove the green onion, ginger, and herb bag;
3. Add the rapeseed, salt, boil until tender, add monosodium glutamate, pepper, and drizzle with sesame oil to finish.
Effects: Nourishes blood, moistens yin, benefits essence and fills marrow. This dish is beneficial for women experiencing menopausal syndrome, menstrual irregularities, dizziness, palpitations, insomnia, anxiety, cold and dry uterus, and night sweats.
6 Rehmannia Glutinosa Tremor Soup
Formula: 20g Rehmannia Glutinosa, 20g Mu Guo (Papaya), 20g Gou Qi Zi, 20g He Shou Wu, 10g Dang Gui, 10g Chuan Niu Xi, 10g Bai Shao, 10g Dan Shen, 10g Ji Xue Teng, 1 black chicken (500g), 20g cooking wine, 10g ginger, 15g green onion, 4g salt.
Preparation:
1. Except for Rehmannia Glutinosa, Dang Gui, Gou Qi Zi, and He Shou Wu, pack the other herbs in a cloth bag and tie it tightly; slice He Shou Wu; slice or segment Rehmannia Glutinosa and Dang Gui; wash Gou Qi Zi to remove impurities; clean the black chicken, removing feathers, internal organs, and claws; slice ginger and cut green onion into sections.
2. Place the black chicken in a stew pot, rub with cooking wine and salt, place the herb bag inside the chicken, add ginger, green onion, Gou Qi Zi, Rehmannia Glutinosa, He Shou Wu, and Dang Gui, and pour in 1000ml of water.
3. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for 1 hour.
Dosage: Drink 200ml of soup twice daily. Eat 50g of chicken, along with Gou Qi Zi, Dang Gui, and He Shou Wu.
Effects: Nourishes blood, dispels wind, nourishes yin, and is used for patients with tremors and paralysis.
Source: “60 Types of Medicinal Diets for Neurosis”
7 Rehmannia Glutinosa and Lamb Soup
Ingredients: 700g lean lamb, 30g Rehmannia Glutinosa, 15g Dang Gui, 30g Huang Qi, 10g dried jujube, 10g ginger, 3g white sugar, 2g salt, 2g chicken essence, 1g monosodium glutamate.
Preparation:
1. Cut the cleaned lamb into small pieces and blanch in boiling water to remove blood foam.
2. Place the lamb pieces in a pot with enough clear water, add ginger, Rehmannia Glutinosa, Dang Gui, and Huang Qi, and simmer for about three hours over low heat.
3. Add jujube, sugar, salt, chicken essence, and monosodium glutamate, stir well, and simmer for another fifteen minutes.
Medication Precautions
Rehmannia Glutinosa should not be used in cases of spleen and stomach deficiency, qi stagnation with phlegm, abdominal fullness, and loose stools.