【Source】

Ben Cao Yan Yi

 【Composition】

Sang Piao Xiao (Mantis Egg Case), Yuan Zhi (Polygala Root), Chang Pu (Acorus Gramineus Rhizome), Long Gu (Fossil), Ren Shen (Ginseng), Fu Shen (Poria-Spirit), Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root), Bie Jia (Trionycis Carapax)
(8)

 【Classification】

<Blood-Tonifying>: Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root)

<Yin-Tonifying>: Bie Jia (Trionycis Carapax)

<Qi-Tonifying>: Ren Shen (Ginseng)

<Astringing>: Sang Piao Xiao (Mantis Egg Case)

<Shen-Calming>: Yuan Zhi (Polygala Root), Fu Shen (Poria-Spirit), Long Gu (Fossil)

<Aperture-Opening>: Chang Pu (Acorus Gramineus Rhizome)

【Functions】

Regulates and tonifies the Heart and Kidneys, secures essence, and stops urinary incontinence.

 【Indications】

Deficiency of both Heart and Kidneys, frequent urination, or urine like rice wash water, absent-mindedness, forgetfulness, poor appetite, as well as enuresis and seminal emission.

 【Applications】

Frequent urination, enuresis, seminal emission, absent-mindedness, forgetfulness associated with neurasthenia, forgetfulness and poor sleep due to deficiency of Heart and Kidneys. Chronic nephritis and cystitis with turbid urine.

 【Mnemonic】

Tonifies Qi, Blood, Yin, calms Shen, opens orifices, astringes: Ren, Gui, Jia, Shen, Zhi, Long, Chang, Piao.
→ Soldier wears armor and returns home, with a clear mind and fluttering spirit.

 【Modifications】

(1) For severe Qi deficiency, add Huang Qi (Astragalus Root) to strengthen the Qi-tonifying effect. (2) For concurrent forgetfulness, palpitations, insomnia, and seminal emission, add Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Fruit), Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus Jujuba Seed), and Sha Yuan Ji Li (Cistanche Salsa Seed) to tonify the Heart and Kidneys, astringe essence, and calm the Shen. (3) For diabetes with frequent urination due to Heart and Kidney deficiency, add Shan Yao (Dioscorea Rhizome) and Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus Fruit) to secure the Kidneys and astringe essence. (4) For individuals who are not very weak constitutionally, remove Ren Shen (Ginseng) and Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis Root).

 【Pharmacology】

The constituent herbs have a sedative effect.