【Source】
《Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue Fang (Qian Yi’s Formulas for Pediatric Syndromes)》
【Ingredients】
Prepared Rehmannia, Cornus officinalis, Dried Yam, Alisma, Poria, Moutan Bark
(6)
【Category】
<Blood Tonifying>：Prepared Rehmannia
<Heat Clearing and Blood Cooling>：Moutan Bark
<Spleen and Middle Qi Tonifying>：Dried Yam
<Spleen Tonifying and Water Promoting>：Poria
<Astringing>：Cornus officinalis
<Water and Dampness Draining>：Alisma
【Formula Analysis】
《Yi Fang》: Medicine for Foot Shao Yin and Jue Yin meridians. (1) Prepared Rehmannia: Nourishes Yin, tonifies the Kidneys, generates blood and essence. (2) Cornus: Warms the Liver, expels wind, astringes essence and secures Qi. (3) Moutan Bark: Drains the hidden fire of the minister fire, cools the blood and reduces steaming sensations. (4) Yam: Clears deficiency heat in the Lungs and Spleen, tonifies the Spleen and secures the Kidneys. (5) Poria: Percolates damp-heat in the middle, and connects the Kidneys and Heart. (6) Alisma: Drains water evil from the Bladder, sharpens hearing and improves vision. (7) Treats all six meridians, with a focus on the Kidneys and Liver, neither cold nor dry, tonifies both Qi and blood, if taken regularly, its effects are immeasurable. 《Shan Bu》: Rehmannia is the chief herb, with a sweet and cold nature. When processed, it becomes thick in flavor, replenishing essence through flavor. It greatly nourishes Kidney Yin, fills essence and replenishes marrow, strengthening the water source. Alisma is used as the assistant herb. Some people dislike its draining effect on the Kidneys and remove it, but they do not understand that Yin and Yang are the way of heaven and earth; opening and closing are the mechanisms of movement and stillness. Essence belongs to Gui, Yin water, still and unmoving, is the substance of the Kidneys; urine belongs to Ren, Yang water, moving and not staying, is the function of the Kidneys. Therefore, the Kidneys govern the five fluids. If Yin water is not preserved, then true water is insufficient; if Yang water does not flow, then evil water overflows. Thus, the chief herb, Rehmannia, seals the root, while the assistant herb, Alisma, drains stagnation from the water passages. However, if Kidney deficiency is not supplemented at its origin and its upper source is not directed, then the function of sealing will not be secured. Yam cools and tonifies, nurturing the upper source of Gui water; Poria blandly percolates, directing the upper source of Ren water. In addition, Cornus is sour and warm, borrowing its warmth to collect the fire of Shao Yang and nourish the fluid of Jue Yin. Moutan Bark is pungent and cold, clearing the fire of Shao Yin and returning Qi to Shao Yang. Nourishing the source of transformation and supporting vital energy, Tian Gui resides in its place. Strengthening water to control fire is merely one aspect. This formula consists of three tonifying and three draining herbs. The chief herb, prepared Rehmannia, nourishes Yin, tonifies the Kidneys, benefits essence and generates blood. It is assisted by Cornus, which nourishes the Liver and Kidneys and secures to stop sweating, and Yam, which tonifies Qi, strengthens the Spleen, secures essence and reduces urination. These three herbs are collectively called the three tonics. Moutan Bark clears heat and cools the blood, and Alisma clears heat and promotes urination, which can reduce deficiency heat. Alisma can eliminate damp-heat, and Poria promotes urination, removing water and fluid retention. These three herbs are collectively called the three drains.
【Function】
Nourishes the Liver and Kidneys, nourishes Yin.
【Indications】
Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency, deficiency fire blazing upward causing soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, dizziness and blurred vision, tinnitus and deafness, night sweats and seminal emission, or steaming bone fever, or hot flashes in the palms and soles, or wasting and thirsting disorder, or toothache due to deficiency fire, dry tongue and sore throat, red tongue with little coating, thin and rapid pulse. 《Yi Fang》: (1) Insufficiency of the Liver and Kidneys, depletion of true Yin, exhaustion of essence and blood, emaciation and weakness, lower back pain and foot soreness, night sweats and spontaneous sweating, water accumulation turning into phlegm, fever and cough. (2) Dizziness and blurred vision, tinnitus and deafness, seminal emission and blood in the stool, wasting and thirsting disorder, dysuria, loss of blood and voice, dry tongue and sore throat, toothache due to deficiency fire. (3) Heel pain, sores in the lower part of the body, etc. 《Shan Bu》: Insufficiency of Kidney essence, deficiency fire blazing upward, weakness and limpness of the lower back and knees, bone heat and aching pain, heel pain, frequent or uncontrolled urination, seminal emission and nocturnal emission, water accumulation turning into phlegm, spontaneous sweating, night sweats, blood loss and wasting and thirsting disorder, dizziness and blurred vision, deafness and loose teeth, deep and large chi pulse.
【Application】
Hypertension, diabetes, female menopausal syndrome, chronic hepatitis, chronic nephritis, chronic renal failure, renal tuberculosis with hematuria, chronic prostatitis, neurasthenia, hyperthyroidism, central retinitis, optic neuritis, early senile cataract, pulmonary tuberculosis, etc.
【Cautions】
(1) This formula is mainly used to treat various diseases with symptoms of Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency. (2) The prepared Rehmannia in this formula is rich and cloying, hindering digestion, so it should be used with caution in those with Spleen deficiency, poor appetite, and loose stools. (3) Avoid spicy foods while taking this formula.
【Mnemonic】
The three tonics are to cook the wild boar meat well (Yam, Cornus, Prepared Rehmannia) + so that there won’t be three drainages, Moutan Bark Poria Alisma. 《Yi Fang》: (1) Blood deficiency and Yin decline, prepared Rehmannia is the chief herb. (2) Seminal emission and dizziness, Cornus is the chief herb. (3) Frequent or infrequent urination, or red or white urine, Poria is the chief herb. (4) Dysuria, Alisma is the chief herb. (5) Heart deficiency with blazing fire and blood stasis, Moutan Bark is the chief herb. (6) Spleen and stomach weakness, dry skin, Yam is the chief herb. (7) When it is said that an herb is the chief herb, its dosage is eight liang, while Rehmannia is only used as a minister herb. 《Shan Bu》: (1) Adding Aconite and Cinnamon Bark to this formula creates Gui Fu Di Huang Wan (Cinnamon and Aconite Rehmannia Pill), which treats weak chi pulses, insufficient minister fire, weakness and shortness of breath, as Wang Bing said, “Benefit the source of fire to dispel Yin shadow.” (2) Adding Phellodendron and Anemarrhena creates Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan (Anemarrhena and Phellodendron Rehmannia Pill), which treats strong chi pulses, Yin deficiency and fire stirring, afternoon fever and bone atrophy, as Wang Bing said, “Strengthen the water source to control the sunlight.” The classic says: When Yin is balanced and Yang is contained, the spirit is restored. If Yin and Yang are imbalanced, diseases will arise. The Kidneys take their image from Kan, where Yang is hidden within Yin. Not only is Yin flourishing and Yang declining, with Yang fearing Yin and not daring to attach itself, but also when Yin is declining and Yang is flourishing, Yin cannot contain Yang and has nothing to rely on. Although both are fire not returning to its origin, their manifestations are different. Therefore, adding Cinnamon and Aconite to Kidney herbs strengthens Yang and suppresses Yin, so that Yang has nothing to fear and naturally returns to its origin. Adding Anemarrhena and Phellodendron supplements Yin and contains Yang, so that Yang has something to store and naturally returns to its abode. People only know to use Cinnamon and Aconite to guide fire back to its origin, but do not know to use Anemarrhena and Phellodendron to balance Yin and contain Yang. The world is confused by this mistake, so Zhu Zhenheng specially established the theory of supplementing Yin to refute the fallacy of using fire to treat fire. Those who do not understand its meaning criticize it, which is lamentable.
【Modifications】
(1) For lower back and knee pain, add Eucommia, Dipsacus, and Achyranthes to strengthen the sinews and bones. (2) For frequent urination, remove Alisma and add Alpinia Oxyphylla to secure essence and reduce urination. (3) Adding Schisandra to this formula creates Du Qi Wan (Pill for Governing Qi) from 《Yi Zong Yi Ren Bian》, which nourishes the Kidneys and regulates Qi, treating Kidney Yin deficiency with shortness of breath and hiccups. (4) Adding Ophiopogon and Schisandra to this formula creates Mai Wei Di Huang Wan (Ophiopogon and Schisandra Rehmannia Pill) from 《Yi Ji》, originally named Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan (Eight Immortals Longevity Pill) from 《Shou Shi Bao Yuan》, which nourishes the Lungs and Kidneys, treating Lung and Kidney Yin deficiency with cough, shortness of breath, tidal fever, and night sweats. (5) Adding Lycium Fruit and Chrysanthemum Flower to this formula creates Qi Ju Di Huang Wan (Lycium and Chrysanthemum Rehmannia Pill) from 《Yi Ji》, which nourishes the Kidneys, nourishes the Liver, and improves vision, treating Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency with blurred vision, or dry eyes, or tearing in the wind. (6) Adding Anemarrhena and Phellodendron to this formula creates Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan (Anemarrhena and Phellodendron Rehmannia Pill), also known as Zhi Bai Ba Wei Wan (Anemarrhena and Phellodendron Eight Flavor Pill) from 《Yi Zong Jin Jian》, which nourishes Yin and descends fire, treating Yin deficiency with fire excess, steaming bone fever, deficiency vexation, night sweats, lower back pain, and seminal emission.
【Pharmacology】
Enhances immunity, anti-tumor, anti-aging, lowers blood sugar, lowers blood lipids, etc.