【Source】

From “Zhu Dan Xi Fang”, Volume Three.

 【Composition】

Prepared tortoise plastron, Phellodendron bark, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Prepared rehmannia root, Achyranthes bidentata, White peony root, Cynomorium songaricum, Tiger’s tibia, Angelica sinensis, Dried tangerine peel, Dried ginger
(11)

 【Classification】

<Blood Tonifying>: Angelica sinensis, White peony root, Prepared rehmannia root

<Yin Nourishing>: Prepared tortoise plastron

<Qi Regulating>: Dried tangerine peel

<Clearing Heat and Drying Dampness>: Phellodendron bark

<Warming the Interior>: Dried ginger

<Tonifying and Assisting Yang>: Cynomorium songaricum

<Activating Blood and Removing Stasis>: Achyranthes bidentata

<Dispelling Wind-Dampness>: Tiger’s tibia

<Clearing Heat and Purging Fire>: Anemarrhena asphodeloides

【Rationale of the Formula】

“Yi Fang”: This formula pertains to the Kidney channel of the foot Shaoyin. (1) Phellodendron bark, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, and prepared rehmannia root are used to strengthen Kidney water and nourish Yin. (2) Angelica sinensis, white peony root, and Achyranthes bidentata are used to tonify Liver deficiency and nourish blood. Achyranthes bidentata also guides the other herbs downward to strengthen tendons and bones, as the Liver and Kidney share the same treatment principle. (3) Tortoise plastron, due to its thick Yin essence, is used as the monarch herb to nourish Yin. (4) Tiger, possessing the strongest Yin essence, is used as an assistant to strengthen bones. The tibia is used because a tiger, even after death, remains standing without falling, indicating its strength is concentrated in its forelegs; thus, the tibia is used to benefit the feet, following its nature. (5) Cynomorium songaricum benefits essence, strengthens Yang, nourishes tendons, and moistens dryness. (6) Dried tangerine peel is used to facilitate Qi flow. (7) Dried ginger is added to promote Yang. (8) Lamb is sweet and hot, belonging to Fire, and greatly tonifies; it also nourishes essence through its taste and tonifies form with form. This ensures the free flow of Qi and blood and the mutual support of Yin and Yang.

“Shan Bu”: The formula uses Phellodendron bark to clear the fire within Yin and dry the dampness in the bones. Its bitterness can strengthen the Kidney, making it a key herb for treating flaccidity, hence it serves as the monarch. Tiger bone dispels wind-toxins and strengthens tendons and bones, acting as the minister. Due to the upstream water failing to descend, the mother (Lung) is deficient, leading to the son’s (Kidney’s) deficiency. As the Liver blood fails to return, the son’s condition exacerbates the mother’s. Therefore, Anemarrhena asphodeloides is used to clear the source of the Lung, and Angelica and peony nourish the Liver blood, guiding it back to the Kidney. Tortoise plastron, endowed with the thickest Yin from heaven and earth, is not excreted, thus it firmly anchors the Northern direction. Furthermore, prepared rehmannia root, Achyranthes bidentata, Cynomorium songaricum, and lamb are gathered to tonify water, ensuring mutual replenishment of essence and blood. Dried tangerine peel, on the other hand, scatters stagnant Qi and moves blood. This formula achieves the profound effect of Qi transforming into blood and blood flowing freely, resulting in strong tendons and bones, with power like a tiger. According to “Dao Jing”: “Tigers are born in water,” which explains the meaning of “qian” (潛,潜, to hide or submerge) in the name. Therefore, it is named “Hu Qian Wan” (Tiger潛 Pill). Ye Zhong Jian stated: “Although the origin of flaccidity is divided among the five Zang-organs, its root lies in the Kidney, and its manifestation is in the Lung.” “Nei Jing” states: “When the five Zang-organs are affected by Lung heat, the leaves become scorched, leading to flaccidity and paralysis.” It also states: “When Yang Qi invades inward, water cannot overcome fire, resulting in bone flaccidity and marrow deficiency, causing the feet to be unable to support the body.” Bone flaccidity arises from excessive heat. If it is mistaken for cold deficiency and treated with aconite or prepared aconite, it often leads to death. This formula is named after the tiger because the tiger, among beasts, receives the most rigid essence of Metal Qi. Its roar is symbolic of the Lung’s Metal element. The term “qian” (潛) implies that Metal is nourished by water, and the mother hides within the son’s embryo. Therefore, that which generates Metal must be associated with water, with the intention of drawing Qi back into the Kidney. The tortoise symbolizes the Northern direction, possessing the thickest Yin, with its head often turned inward towards the abdomen, adept at connecting with the Ren channel, and capable of greatly tonifying true Yin, deeply embodying the principle of “qian” (潛). Phellodendron bark, with its thick taste, is the Yin of Yin, specifically tonifying the deficiency of Yin in the Kidney and Bladder channels, enabling Qi and strength to surge from the feet and knees. Therefore, it is essential for those with flaccidity to use these two herbs as the monarch, one to consolidate the root and the other to treat the manifestation, lest the symptoms persist. Prepared rehmannia root fills the essence of Shaoyin and is used to assist tortoise plastron. Anemarrhena asphodeloides clears the Qi of Taiyin and is used to assist Phellodendron bark. “Nei Jing” states that Achyranthes bidentata enters the Liver to relax tendons. Angelica and peony assist it; when Liver blood has a place to return, Dried tangerine peel disperses it, allowing Qi and blood to flow, and bones to become straight and tendons supple. Furthermore, considering that heat can generate wind and linger in the joints, tiger bone is used to expel it. Pure Yin without Yang cannot generate life, so Cynomorium songaricum is added to warm it. Lamb is made into pills, tonifying through its taste. It is taken with a decoction of light salt water, which acts quickly to enter the Kidney. All of these are in accordance with the principle of “qian” (潛).

 【Functions】

Nourishes Yin and clears heat, strengthens tendons and bones, tonifies original Yang, nourishes Kidney Yin, nourishes Qi and blood, nourishes Yin and calms Yang.

 【Indications】

Kidney Yin deficiency, Liver and Kidney deficiency, various deficiencies, flaccid and weak tendons and bones, aching and sore waist and legs, inability to walk, lower Jiao deficiency cold, depletion of essence and blood, steaming bone fever, and other syndromes. “Yi Fang”: Deficiency of essence and blood, weak and flaccid tendons and bones, feet unable to bear weight, steaming bone fever. “Shan Bu”: Kidney Yin deficiency, flaccid and weak tendons and bones, inability to walk.

 【Mnemonics】

(1) Da Bu Yin Wan (Anemarrhena, Phellodendron, Rehmannia, Tortoise Plastron, Tiger, Hu Qian Wan herbs enter the floor) + Tiger, Achyranthes, White Peony, Cynomorium, Angelica, Dried Tangerine Peel, Ginger (Hu Niu Shao Suo Gui Pi Jiang). (2) Adults should not play superficial games (referring to Da Bu Yin Wan and Hu Qian Wan).