Modifying Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Modifying Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Published on April 9th, 2012 @ 12:15:00 pm , using 376 words, 341 views
By Eric Brand
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan is one of the most famous formulas for supplementing yin. It is relatively mild and harmonious because of its balance of “three supplementing” and “three draining” medicinals, and it is easily modified to form formulas that enhance different aspects of treatment.
One of the most commonly prescribed formulas for clearing vacuity heat is Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan (Anemarrhena, Phellodendron, and Rehmannia Pill), which is formed by adding Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) and Huang Bai (Phellodendri Cortex) to Liu Wei Di Huang Wan.
By contrast, the addition of Fu Zi (Aconiti Radix Lateralis Praeparata) and Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex) or Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) to Liu Wei Di Huang Wan forms the yang-supplementing formula Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill). This formula is particularly useful for treating patterns of water swelling due to kidney yang vacuity, and it can be used as a base for a wide range of yang-supplementing applications. For example, it can be further elaborated by adding Zi He Che (Hominis Placenta), Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Lu Rong (Cervi Cornu Pantotrichum), and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus). This forms the formula He Che Ba Wei Wan (Eight-Ingredient Placenta Pill), a powerful qi-, blood-, yin- and yang-supplementing formula.
If Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus) and Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix) are added to Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, the formula Mai Wei Di Huang Wan (Ophiopogon and Rehmannia Pill) is formed. Alternatively, the addition of Wu Wei Zi, Ci Shi (Magnetitum), and Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix) to Liu Wei Di Huang Wan creates the formula Er Long Zuo Ci Wan (Deafness Left-Benefiting Loadstone Pill), which is a major formula for tinnitus and deafness.
Additional possibilities for modifying Liu Wei Di Huang Wan include adding medicinals such as Ju Hua (Chrysanthemi Flos) and Gou Qi Zi (Lycii Fructus) to form Qi Ju Di Huang Wan (Lycium Berry, Chrysanthemum, and Rehmannia Pill). This formula supplements the liver and kidney and brightens the eyes. By further adding Shi Jue Ming (Haliotidis Concha), Bai Ji Li (Tribuli Fructus), Bai Shao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), and Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), one can make the empirical formula Ming Mu Di Huang Wan (Eye Brightener Rehmannia Pill), which also brightens the eyes.