Back to previous page
Search in formulas

Left-Restoring [Kidney Yīn] Pill

左归丸 〔左歸丸〕zuǒ guī wán

Source: Jǐng Yuè Quán Shū 景岳全书

Ingredients:

Action: Supplements the liver and kidney; boosts essence-blood.

Indication: Liver-kidney yīn vacuity and essence-blood depletion with weakness and emaciation, limp aching lumbus and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, spontaneous sweating or night sweating, and seminal emission. Tongue: Red. Pulse: Fine and rapid.

Category: Supplementing formulas / Yīn-supplementing formula

Method: Make into pills with honey.

Dosage: Take 3–6g with weak brine once or twice daily. Can also be prepared as a decoction.

Rationale: This formula is based on Liù wèi dì huáng wán (六味地黄丸 Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill), since it has the three supplements: Shú dì huáng Shān zhū yú, and Shān yào, which supplement the kidney, liver, and spleen). In addition, it contains Tù sī zǐ and lycium, which supplement the liver and kidney, Guī bǎn glue and Lù jiǎo jiāo, which supplement the blood, and Niú xī, which strengthens the sinew and bone. This formula responds to the axiom insufficiency of essence is treated with flavor, i.e., with drugs that are strong in flavor as opposed to qì. It is more powerful than Liù wèi dì huáng wán (六味地黄丸 Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill)and is suitable for any patient with depletion of liver-kidney yīn and essence-blood.

Notes: The formula is apparently so called because it supplements kidney yīn, which is reflected in the left hand. Restoring the left thus means kidney yīn.

Similar: Liù wèi dì huáng wán (六味地黄丸 Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill)

Back to previous page
Help us to improve our content
You found an error? Send us a feedback