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Source: Běn Cǎo Yǎn Yí 本草衍义

Ingredients:

• Sāng piāo xiāo (桑螵蛸 Mantidis Oötheca, mantis egg case) 9–12g
• Yuǎn zhì (远志 Polygalae Radix, polygala [root]) 3–6g
• Chāng pú (菖蒲 Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma, acorus [root]) 6–9g
• Rén shēn (人参 Ginseng Radix, ginseng) (or Dǎng shēn (党参 Codonopsis Radix, codonopsis [root])) 9–12g
• Fú shén (茯神 Poria cum Pini Radice , root poria) 9–12g
• Dāng guī (当归 Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Chinese angelica) 6–9g
• Lóng gǔ (龙骨 Mastodi Ossis Fossilia, dragon bone) 12–30g
• Guī bǎn (龟版 Testudinis Plastrum, tortoise plastron) 9–15g

Action: Regulates and supplements the heart and kidney; secures and astringes to check seminal emission.

Indication: Kidney vacuity with frequent urination, urine murky like rice water, enuresis, and seminal emission; insufficiency of heart qì with forgetfulness and insomnia.

Category: Astringing formulas / essence-astringing essence enuresis-checking

Method: Grind to a powder and take 6g mixed with fluid before bed. It can also be prepared as a decoction.

Warnings: Contraindicated in exuberant lower burner fire with frequent urination and rough painful voidings of reddish urine; frequent urination or urinary incontinence due to spleen-kidney vacuity.

Rationale: Sāng piāo xiāo is astringent; it supplements the kidney, reduces urine, and secures essence. Lóng gǔ not only settles the heart and quiets the spirit but also secures essence and checks seminal emission. Because these two agents promote interaction between the heart and kidney, they are the sovereign agents in the formula. Rén shēn —or Dǎng shēn— and Fú shén help the sovereign agents to quiet the spirit. Shí chāng pú and Yuǎn zhì help them to promote interaction between the heart and kidney. Guī bǎn combined with Lóng gǔ enriches yīn and subdues yáng, helping to restore the kidney's storage function. Dāng guī combined with Fú shén nourishes the heart and quiets the spirit.

Variations:

• Enuresis or incontinence: Add Yì zhì rén (益智仁 Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus, alpinia [fruit]) fruit and Fù pén zǐ (覆盆子 Rubi Fructus, rubus [berry]).
• Seminal emission with weak pulse: Add Shān zhū yú (山茱萸 Corni Fructus, cornus [fruit]) and Shā yuàn zǐ (沙苑子 Astragali Complanati Semen, complanate astragalus seed).
• Mental abstraction and forgetfulness: Add Bǎi zǐ rén (柏子仁 Platycladi Semen, arborvitae seed) and Lóng chǐ (龙齿 Mastodi Dentis Fossilia, dragon tooth).

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