Shu Di Huang (熟地黄) has the effects of nourishing yin, tonifying the kidneys, nourishing and cooling the blood, promoting blood coagulation, and lowering blood sugar. It is primarily produced in Henan, has a sweet taste, and a slightly warm nature. It belongs to the liver and kidney meridians.
Shu Di Huang
From the Ben Cao Yu Lu (本草语录): “Nourishes blood qi, nourishes kidney water, benefits true yin.” — “Zhen Zhu Nang”
Indications and Efficacy
This herb nourishes blood, nourishes yin, and benefits essence and fills marrow.
It is mainly suitable for the following conditions:
Blood Deficiency Syndrome
Symptoms include dizziness, palpitations, insomnia, and irregular menstruation. It can be used in combination with Dang Gui (当归) and Chuan Xiong (川芎).
Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency Syndrome
Symptoms include tidal fever, night sweats, tinnitus, and nocturnal emissions. It can be combined with Shan Zhu Yu (山茱萸) and Shan Yao (山药).
Kidney Essence Deficiency Syndrome
Used for delayed development in children, it can be combined with Lu Rong (鹿茸); for early aging symptoms in adults, it can be combined with He Shou Wu (何首乌), Rou Cong Rong (肉苁蓉), and Bu Gu Zhi (补骨脂).
Modern Research
This herb contains components such as zirconol, rehmannioside, mannitol, vitamin A-like substances, carbohydrates, and amino acids. It has the following physiological effects:
1. Strengthens the heart, promotes diuresis, and lowers blood sugar.
2. Shortens coagulation time and stops bleeding.
3. Enhances immune function.
4. Shu Di Huang and its preparations are also used in modern treatments for hypertension, myelitis, constipation in the elderly, impotence, and alopecia areata.
Therapeutic Formulas
Treatment for tidal fever and night sweats:
12g of Shu Di Huang, 12g of Gui Ban (龟板), 9g of Zhi Mu (知母), and 4.5g of Huang Ci Pi (黄刺皮). Decoction in water for oral administration. (Traditional Chinese Medicine formula)
Treatment for blood deficiency and blood stasis:
Si Wu Tang (四物汤): equal parts of Shu Di Huang, Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, and Bai Shao (白芍), ground into a coarse powder, 9g per dose, decocted in water. Indications: irregular menstruation, abdominal pain, excessive bleeding, dizziness, and palpitations. (From “Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang”)
Treatment for qi and blood deficiency type dysmenorrhea:
150g of fresh ginger, 240g of Shu Di Huang. Dry and grind the above herbs into a fine powder, 6g per dose, taken with Wu Mei Tang (乌梅汤), twice daily for 3-5 days. (Traditional Chinese Medicine formula)
Treatment for night blindness:
500g of lamb liver, 60g of Shu Di Huang, and 30g of Goji Berries (枸杞子). Mash the three ingredients into a paste to form pills. Take 9-15g three times daily on an empty stomach with warm water. (Traditional Chinese Medicine formula)
Treatment for post-illness sweating (dry mouth and irritability):
150g of Shu Di Huang, add 3 bowls of water, decoct to obtain 1.5 bowls, divided into 3 doses to be taken in one day. (From “Ben Cao Gang Mu”)
Treatment for irregular menstruation and prolonged infertility:
240g of Shu Di Huang, 60g of Dang Gui, and 30g of Huang Lian (黄连), soaked in wine overnight, dried and ground into a fine powder, formed into pills the size of Wutong seeds. Take 70 pills with rice soup or wine. (From “Ben Cao Gang Mu”)
Treatment for kidney deficiency and dim vision:
60g each of raw and cooked Shu Di Huang, 30g of Chuan Jiao Hong (川椒红), ground into a powder, formed into pills the size of Wutong seeds. Take 30 pills on an empty stomach with salt water. (From “Ben Cao Gang Mu”)
Health-Preserving Medicinal Cuisine
Shu Di Huang and Dang Shen Stewed Abalone
Recipe: 10g of Shu Di Huang, 12g of Dang Shen (党参), 50g of abalone, 100g of vegetable heart, 100ml of chicken broth, 5g of salt, and 3g of monosodium glutamate.
Preparation: 1. Wash and slice Shu Di Huang; cut Dang Shen into sections; slice abalone; wash vegetable heart and cut into 5cm lengths.
2. Place Shu Di Huang, Dang Shen, abalone, vegetable heart, salt, and monosodium glutamate into a stewing pot, add chicken broth, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for 25 minutes.
Efficacy: Nourishes yin and replenishes blood.
— END —
Summary of Essential Articles for Studying TCM
“Cao Yingfu’s Experimental Record of Classical Formulas”
Summary of Resources for TCM Health Preservation
Summary of Health Preservation Knowledge Articles
Ni Hai Xia’s Acupuncture Learning Video Collection
Ni Hai Xia’s Jin Gui Learning Video Collection
Ni Hai Xia’s Huang Di Nei Jing Learning Video Collection
Ni Hai Xia’s Shang Han Lun Learning Video Collection
Ni Hai Xia’s Ben Cao Learning Video and Tian Ji Learning Video Collection
Divine Doctor Treatments:
Dr. Xu’s Medical Cases
Dr. Xu’s Remote Diagnosis
Introduction to Dr. Xu
Dr. Xu’s Recommendations
Professional Hand Diagnosis
Add as a friend ↓↓↓↓ for diagnosis, treatment, and learning TCM:
