Category: Digestion, gynaecology, sexuality, fertility, psyche, nerves, insomnia, senses, fatigue, skin, metabolism, prevention, anti-ageing, liver system, kidney system, spleen system.

Use of the formula according to Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• supplements kidney and liver yin
• relieves liver stagnation and clears heat
• harmonises the liver and spleen and/or stomach
• clears deficiency heat
• strengthens the heart and calms its Shen spirit
• wei syndromes (atrophy) due to liver and kidney deficiency

Description:

The basic theme of this classic formula is the supplementation and nourishment of liver and kidney yin, which occurs after the age of 40, especially in women who have blood and Yin depleted by menstruation and childbirth and are simultaneously under long-term psychological pressure, although it can also be useful for some men. It is precisely long-term psychological pressure and stress, together with a reduced amount of kidney essence and liver blood, that cause insufficient nourishment and cooling of tissues and organs – symptoms of empty heat or even fire arise in the body. From liver blockage, a flare-up of full heat can also occur. The resulting heat disturbs the Shen spirit, leading to irritability, outbursts of anger, insomnia or headaches. Even the spleen – the digestive complex – does not function effectively, and more dampness is created, which may not be obvious. Together with the heat, however, it causes a feeling of tension and mild swelling in the area of the limbs and face.

In addition to the fact that the formula supplements yin (it incorporates the entire basic formula for supplementing yin – Liu Wei Di Huang Wan), it also clears the liver, harmonises it with the spleen (which resolves symptoms such as burning pain in the epigastrium, acid regurgitation, bouts of ravenous hunger and dry mouth or constipation) and calms the Shen spirit by clearing heat and supplementing nourishment.

It is for people for whom stress creates physical symptoms (we speak of its somatisation) and who are simultaneously tired and exhausted due to a deficiency of the kidneys (essence and Yin) and liver blood.

Indications:

• relief of stress load, psychosomatic problems
• general strengthening for weakened patients
• irritability, nervousness, explosiveness
• dissatisfaction, mood swings
• depression, frequent sighing
• sleep disorders and frequent dreams
• fatigue, exhaustion
• paleness, dizziness, tinnitus
• deterioration of vision and hearing
• hair loss and greying
• poorer nail quality
• dryness or itching of the skin
• hot flushes, night sweats
• feelings of dryness in the throat and mouth
• “five hearts heat” – feelings of heat in the chest, palms and soles
• pressure, tension or pain in the hypochondrium or chest
• pressure around the stomach
• aching and weakness in the lower back and knees
• restless legs syndrome
• premenstrual syndrome
• various menstrual problems
• cramps
• fertility problems
• constipation
• everything worsening with stress

Modern use:

• general weakness
• uterine bleeding
• short menstrual cycle
• breast tension
• acid reflux
• myasthenia gravis
• multiple sclerosis
• polyneuritis
• Guillain-Barre syndrome
• progressive muscular dystrophy
• acute infectious polyneuritis
• facial muscle paralysis
• lumbago
• type II diabetes

Tongue:

• according to condition

Pulse:

• wiry
• weak

Contraindications:

• none known

Note:

Again, one of the most frequently prescribed formulas, especially in middle age.

The basic theme is the nourishment of kidney deficiency and the return of Qi and ministerial fire back to their source in the lower burner – the formula therefore also has an anti-ageing effect.

Composition of the formula: