The Formulas

The following Sun Herbal formulas are all used to tonify the Kidney. However, there are distinct differences in the clinical applications of each one:

The major physiological functions of the Kidney include:• Storage of Essence, thus controlling growth, development and reproduction• Production of the bone marrow, which ‘fills’ the brain and supports

the bones• Controlling the metabolism of water• Receiving and absorbing the Qi from the Lung to assist normal respiration• Providing the basis of the Yin and Yang of all the other organs• Housing and providing the source of the Fire of the Life Gate

(ming men huo)• Housing the zhi – the capacity for will, determination, concentration

and memory.

The main signs and symptoms in Kidney disorders relate to the functions of storing Essence, supporting the bones (particularly the low back), controlling water metabolism, receiving Qi from the Lung, and nourishing the brain.

In addition, because the Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang are the basis of the Yin and Yang of the whole body, disorders of the Kidney often manifest with a general disturbance of Yin-Yang equilibrium.

Distinguishing Between The Kidney Tonifying Formulas

liu Wei Di huang Wan (Rehmannia Six Formula

BP015)

Qi Ju Di huang Wan (Lycium, Chrysanthemum

& Rehmannia Formula BP017)

ming mu Di huang Wan (Rehmannia Formula To

Brighten The Eyes BP075)

Zhi Bai Ba Wei Wan (Anemarrhena,

Phellodendron & Rehmannia Formula

BP038)

Zuo Gui Wan (Left Returning Formula

BP039)

Ba Ji Yin Yang Wan (Morinda Combination

BP002)

er Xian Tang (Epimedium & Curculigo

Combination BP041)

Fu Gui Ba Wei Wan a.k.a. Jin Gui shen Qi Wan (Rehmannia Eight

Formula BP011)

Qing e Jian Gu Zhuang Yao Wan

(Eucommia & Psoralea Formula BP058)

You Gui Wan (Right Returning Formula

BP066)

Zhuang Yang Yi Jing Wan (Epimedium &

Ginseng Formula BP053)

Zhi shen Yu Tai Wan (Dang Gui & Epimedium

Formula BP085)The KiDneY

KiDneY Yin nourishinG Formulas

KiDneY YanG ToniFYinG Formulas

By Tony Reid (Master Acu, Master TCM Hons)

Distinguishing between The Kidney Tonifying Formulas www.sunherbal.com

Key Diagnostic Features of Kidney Deficiency:• Disorders of sexual function, relating specifically to libido

and fertility• Delayed development in children• Early senility• Low back pain• Disorders of urination, such as oliguria, fluid retention, polyuria,

nocturia and dribbling• Respiratory disorders with dyspnea• Age-related cognitive decline• Severe fatigue and weakness• Disorders of body temperature regulation (e.g. flushing, night

sweats or cold extremities and intolerance of the cold)

Kidney also has a close relationship with the sense of hearing, the genitals, urethra and anus. Thus, the following less specific signs and symptoms may also be seen in Kidney disorders:• Tinnitus, hearing loss• Urinary tract disorders• Menstrual disorders• Chronic constipation or diarrhoea

The most basic differentiation of Kidney tonifying formulas is into Yin and Yang: the Yin nourishing formulas treat Kidney Yin deficiency, which is generally characterized by signs of Heat and Dryness, while the Yang tonifying formulas treat Kidney Yang deficiency, which is generally characterized by signs of Cold. Please note the use of the word ‘generally’; there are some notable exceptions to these distinguishing clinical features, which are highlighted below.

Kidney Yin deficiency The distinguishing features of Kidney Yin deficiency:• Kidney specific signs and symptoms (e.g. low back pain, seminal

emissions, overactive libido, dizziness, tinnitus, poor memory)• Dry mouth• Night sweating• Red tongue with little or no coat

Kidney Yang deficiency The distinguishing features of Kidney Yang deficiency:• Low back pain with a cold sensation• Intolerance of the cold (relived by warm clothing or warming near

a source of heat)• Cold extremities and lower abdomen (on palpation)• Sexual hypofunction• Copious and clear urination

In addition, there are some instances where the Kidney Qi is so weak that it is unable to keep the Kidney Yang in its normal location, i.e. the lower Jiao. This leads to the Yang Qi rising to the upper body, causing facial flushing, fever, respiratory symptoms and possibly also hot hands. Clinically, it is very important to distinguish this from the Heat signs and symptoms due to Kidney Yin deficiency. Important distinguishing features are: signs of Cold in the lower body, pale and swollen tongue, absence of cyclic nature of the Heat (Yin deficiency Heat is generally ‘tidal’, coming on or worsening in the late afternoon and evening).

Kidney Yang tonifying formulas are generally designed in order to address a particular aspect or clinical manifestation that occurs in the context of Kidney Yang deficiency, e.g. cold intolerance or sexual hypofunction.

liu Wei Di huang Wan (Rehmannia Six Formula BP015)

• Kidney Yin deficiency with mild deficiency Heat• Broad range of disorders, including endocrine, urogenital,

age-related• Also for children with delayed development due to deficiency of

the Kidney Yin and Essence

Zhi Bai Ba Wei Wan (Anemarrhena, Phellodendron & Rehmannia Formula BP038)

• Kidney Yin deficiency and pronounced signs of deficiency Heat• Flushed face, red cheeks or malar flush; low grade fever, tidal

fever or afternoon fever; dry mouth and throat; thirst; night sweating; hot hands and feet

• Broad range of disorders, including endocrine, urogenital, age-related and chronic illnesses

Zuo Gui Wan (Left Returning Formula BP039)

• Kidney Yin and Essence deficiency• Stronger tonic than Liu Wei Di Huang Wan• More severe signs of Kidney Yin deficiency (i.e. low back pain,

seminal emissions, dizziness, tinnitus, poor memory, sexual hypofunction or infertility

• Mild signs of deficiency Heat (compare with Zhi Bai Ba Wei Wan, above)

• Broad range of disorders, including endocrine, urogenital, age-related and chronic illnesses

• Also for children with delayed development due to deficiency of the Kidney Yin and Essence

Qi Ju Di huang Wan (Lycium, Chrysanthemum & Rehmannia Formula BP017)

• Kidney Yin deficiency together with Liver Blood and Liver Yin deficiency

• Possibly also with Liver Yang hyperactivity• Broad range of applications• Eye disorders, dizziness headaches and hypertension

ming mu Di huang Wan (Rehmannia Formula to Brighten the Eyes BP075)

• Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency with Liver Blood deficiency and Yang hyperactivity or deficiency Fire.

• For a broad range of eye disorders• Also for hypertension

Distinguishing Between The Kidney Tonifying Formulas cont.

The KiDneY Yin nourishinG Formulas

Distinguishing between The Kidney Tonifying Formulas www.sunherbal.com

Fu Gui Ba Wei Wan a.k.a. Jin Gui shen Qi Wan (Rehmannia Eight Formula BP011)

• Kidney Yang deficiency• Warm-tonifying: for intolerance of cold, impotence and

general debility• Fluid metabolism disorders (severe polyuria/nocturia, possibly

also oedema)• Broad range of disorders, including endocrine, urogenital,

age-related and chronic illnesses

You Gui Wan (Right Returning Formula BP066)

• Kidney Yang deficiency, and Kidney Essence deficiency• Stronger tonic than Fu Gui Ba Wei Wan• Warming• No disorders of fluid metabolism (mild to moderate

polyuria/nocturia)• Broad range of disorders, including endocrine, urogenital,

age-related and chronic illnesses

Ba Ji Yin Yang Wan (Morinda Combination BP002)

• Kidney Yang deficiency and Kidney Essence deficiency• Not strongly warming• Sexual disorders (sexual hypofunction with premature

ejaculation in males; infertility, excessive clear leukorrhea in females)

• Fluid disorders (polyuria)• Bone and joint disorders (low back pain, sciatica)

Zhuang Yang Yi Jing Wan (Epimedium & Ginseng Formula BP053)

• Kidney Yang deficiency and Kidney Essence deficiency• For low libido, or impotence

Qing e Jian Gu Zhuang Yao Wan (Eucommia & Psoralea Formula BP058)

• Kidney Yang deficiency and Essence deficiency with Liver Blood deficiency

• Promotes the Kidney’s bone supporting functions• Loss of bone density, low back pain, sciatica• Restores sexual function, i.e. libido and fertility

er Xian Tang (Epimedium & Curculigo Combination BP041)

• Kidney Yang deficiency (or Kidney Qi deficiency) with deficiency Fire/Yang hyperactivity (‘upfloating Yang’)

• For menopausal women with hot flushes and/or hypertension

Zhi shen Yu Tai Wan (Dang Gui & Epimedium Formula BP085)

• Kidney Yang-Essence deficiency, with Blood deficiency and Blood stasis

• Female infertility

Distinguishing Between The Kidney Tonifying Formulas cont.

The KiDneY YanG ToniFYinG Formulas

Distinguishing between The Kidney Tonifying Formulas www.sunherbal.com Gi1

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