The Prescription of Zuogui Wan
Name
Bolus for Reinforcing the Kidney-Yin
Source
The book Jing Yue Quan Shu
Ingredients
- Shu Di (Radix Rehmanniae Preparata) 240 g,
- Shan Yao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae) 120 g,
- Gou Qi (Fructus Lycii) 120 g,
- Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni) 120 g,
- Chuan Niu Xi (Radix Cyathulae) 90 g,
- Tu Si Zi (Semen Cuscutae) 120 g,
- Lu Jiao (Colla Cornus Cervi) 120 g,
- Gui Jiao (Colla Carapacis et Plastri Testudinis) 120 g.
Explanation
Shu Di: The principal drug, nourishing the kidney and supplementing essence.
Shan Zhu Yu, Gou Qi Zi, and Tu Si Zi: Tonifying the liver and kidney.
Shan Yao: Benefiting both the spleen and the kidney.
Gui Ban Jiao and Lu Jiao Jiao: Drastically tonifying blood and kidney-essence with
Lu Jiao Jiao's another action of warming Yang to generate Yin.
Niu Xi: Strengthening the muscles and bones.
Effect
Nourishing and tonifying the kidney-Yin.
Indications
Syndrome due to deficiency of the kidney-Yin, marked by dizziness, vertigo, soreness and weakness of the loins and knees, spontaneous sweat and night sweat, dry mouth and throat, reddened tongue with little coating, and thready or rapid pulse; including such diseases with the above symptoms as chronic nephritis, renal tuberculosis and menopausal syndrome.
Administration
All the ingredients are ground into powder and made with honey into boluses, each of which weighing 15 g. 1 bolus is taken each time on an empty stomach, twice daily in the morning and evening.
Prolonged taking of this bolus tends to cause the Qi or the spleen and stomach to be stagnated, for the prescription is mainly composed of Yin-soft natured drugs with the action of nourishing Yin. As a result, drugs with the action of promoting the flow of Qi and enlivening the spleen such as Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae) and Sha Ren (Fructus Amomi) should be added when long-term use of it is needed.