Before discussing Kidney Yang Deficiency, let’s first clarify who is prone to this condition. Many young and middle-aged individuals sometimes experience difficulties in intimate matters and suspect they have Kidney Yang Deficiency. In reality, unless there are congenital weaknesses or prolonged illnesses, it is unlikely for young and middle-aged individuals with normal diets and no significant abnormalities to develop Kidney Yang Deficiency.
Kidney Yang Deficiency typically occurs in the elderly or those with chronic illnesses affecting the kidneys. Due to aging and weakness, Kidney Yang becomes deficient, leading to a failure in warming the body, resulting in symptoms such as coldness, soreness in the lower back and knees, aversion to cold, pale complexion, fatigue, lack of energy, and low vitality. This condition is often accompanied by symptoms like clear and prolonged urination, incomplete urination, and loose stools, which may indicate Kidney Yang Deficiency.
For treating Kidney Yang Deficiency, here are a few Chinese patent medicines to consider:
1. **Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan** (Kidney Qi Pill from the Golden Cabinet) – This formula, attributed to Zhang Zhongjing, consists of eight herbs: **Gui Zhi** (Cinnamon Twig), **Fu Zi** (Aconite), **Shu Di Huang** (Rehmannia), **Shan Zhu Yu** (Cornus), **Shan Yao** (Chinese Yam), **Fu Ling** (Poria), **Ze Xie** (Alisma), and **Dan Pi** (Moutan). Modern formulations also include **Niu Xi** (Achyranthes) and **Che Qian Zi** (Plantago Seed). This formula not only tonifies Kidney Yang but also promotes diuresis and nourishes the liver, making it effective for symptoms like urinary difficulties and edema caused by Kidney Deficiency.
In addition to Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan, a similar formula is **Gui Fu Di Huang Wan** (Cinnamon and Aconite Rehmannia Pill), which substitutes **Gui Zhi** with **Rou Gui** (Cinnamon Bark) and does not include **Niu Xi** and **Che Qian Zi**. This formula, composed of eight herbs, strongly tonifies Kidney Yang and is beneficial for symptoms of frequent urination, diarrhea, and cold pain in the lower back and knees, providing warming and pain-relieving effects.
2. **You Gui Wan** (Right Return Pill) – This formula also contains **Rou Gui** and **Fu Zi**, which help to invigorate Yang Qi. It includes **Du Zhong** (Eucommia), **Shan Zhu Yu**, **Tu Si Zi** (Cuscuta), **Lu Jiao Jiao** (Deer Antler Glue), **Shu Di Huang**, **Shan Yao**, **Gou Qi Zi** (Goji Berry), and **Dang Gui** (Angelica). The combination of **Du Zhong**, **Shan Zhu Yu**, **Shu Di Huang**, and **Shan Yao** nourishes the liver and tonifies Kidney Yin, while **Gou Qi Zi** and **Tu Si Zi** warm and tonify Kidney Qi. **Dang Gui** and **Lu Jiao Jiao** nourish essence and blood, tonifying both Yin and Yang, and are effective for symptoms of insufficient essence and blood due to Kidney Yang Deficiency.
3. **Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan** (Five Seeds Pill) – As the name suggests, this formula contains five ingredients: **Gou Qi Zi**, **Tu Si Zi**, **Wu Wei Zi** (Schisandra), **Fu Pen Zi** (Raspberry), and **Che Qian Zi**. **Gou Qi Zi** nourishes Kidney Yin, **Tu Si Zi** warms and tonifies Kidney Yang, **Wu Wei Zi** nourishes the kidneys and calms the heart, **Fu Pen Zi** secures essence and reduces urination, and **Che Qian Zi** clears the liver and brightens the eyes while promoting urination and stopping diarrhea. This combination balances and nourishes, providing benefits for symptoms of Kidney Yang Deficiency such as impotence, premature ejaculation, incomplete urination, and infertility.