Distinguishing Between

The Kidney Tonifying Formulas By Tony Reid

(Master Acu, Master TCM Hons)

The Formulas
The following Sun Herbal formulas are all used to tonify the Kidney. However, there are distinct differences in the clinical applications of
each one:

Kidney Yin nourishing formulas

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
(Rehmannia Six Formula
BP015)
Zhi Bai Ba Wei
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan Wan (Anemarrhena,
(Lycium, Chrysanthemum Ming Mu Di Huang Wan Phellodendron & Zuo Gui Wan
& Rehmannia Formula (Rehmannia Formula To Rehmannia Formula (Left Returning Formula
BP017) Brighten The Eyes BP075) BP038) BP039)

Kidney YANG TONIFYING formulas

Fu Gui Ba Wei Wan Qing E Jian Gu Zhuang
Ba Ji Yin Yang Wan Er Xian Tang a.k.a. Jin Gui Shen Qi Yao Wan You Gui Wan
(Morinda Combination (Epimedium & Curculigo Wan (Rehmannia Eight (Eucommia & Psoralea (Right Returning Formula
BP002) Combination BP041) Formula BP011) Formula BP058) BP066)

Zhuang Yang Yi Jing Zhi Shen Yu Tai Wan

The Kidney Wan (Epimedium & (Dang Gui & Epimedium
Ginseng Formula BP053) Formula BP085)
The major physiological functions of the Kidney include:
• S torage of Essence, thus controlling growth, development and reproduction
• P roduction of the bone marrow, which ‘fills’ the brain and supports
the bones
•C  ontrolling the metabolism of water
•R  eceiving and absorbing the Qi from the Lung to assist normal respiration
• P roviding the basis of the Yin and Yang of all the other organs
•H  ousing and providing the source of the Fire of the Life Gate
(ming men huo)
•H  ousing the zhi – the capacity for will, determination, concentration
and memory.
The main signs and symptoms in Kidney disorders relate to the functions of
storing Essence, supporting the bones (particularly the low back), controlling
water metabolism, receiving Qi from the Lung, and nourishing the brain.
In addition, because the Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang are the basis of the Yin
and Yang of the whole body, disorders of the Kidney often manifest with a
general disturbance of Yin-Yang equilibrium.

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 Distinguishing Between
The Kidney Tonifying Formulas cont.
Key Diagnostic Features of Kidney Deficiency:
•D  isorders of sexual function, relating specifically to libido
and fertility
•D  elayed development in children
• E arly senility
• L ow back pain
•D  isorders of urination, such as oliguria, fluid retention, polyuria,
nocturia and dribbling
•R  espiratory disorders with dyspnea
•A  ge-related cognitive decline
• S evere fatigue and weakness
•D  isorders of body temperature regulation (e.g. flushing, night
sweats or cold extremities and intolerance of the cold)
Kidney also has a close relationship with the sense of hearing, the
genitals, urethra and anus. Thus, the following less specific signs
and symptoms may also be seen in Kidney disorders:
• T innitus, hearing loss
•U  rinary tract disorders
•M  enstrual disorders
•C  hronic constipation or diarrhoea
The most basic differentiation of Kidney tonifying formulas is
into Yin and Yang: the Yin nourishing formulas treat Kidney Yin
deficiency, which is generally characterized by signs of Heat and
Dryness, while the Yang tonifying formulas treat Kidney Yang
deficiency, which is generally characterized by signs of Cold. Please
note the use of the word ‘generally’; there are some notable
exceptions to these distinguishing clinical features, which are
highlighted below.
Kidney Yin deficiency
The distinguishing features of Kidney Yin deficiency:
• Kidney specific signs and symptoms (e.g. low back pain, seminal
emissions, overactive libido, dizziness, tinnitus, poor memory)
• Dry mouth
• Night sweating
• Red tongue with little or no coat
Kidney Yang deficiency
The distinguishing features of Kidney Yang deficiency:
• Low back pain with a cold sensation
• Intolerance of the cold (relived by warm clothing or warming near
a source of heat)
• Cold extremities and lower abdomen (on palpation)
• Sexual hypofunction
• Copious and clear urination
In addition, there are some instances where the Kidney Qi is
so weak that it is unable to keep the Kidney Yang in its normal
location, i.e. the lower Jiao. This leads to the Yang Qi rising to the
upper body, causing facial flushing, fever, respiratory symptoms and
possibly also hot hands. Clinically, it is very important to distinguish
this from the Heat signs and symptoms due to Kidney Yin
deficiency. Important distinguishing features are: signs of Cold in
the lower body, pale and swollen tongue, absence of cyclic nature
of the Heat (Yin deficiency Heat is generally ‘tidal’, coming on or
worsening in the late afternoon and evening).
Kidney Yang tonifying formulas are generally designed in order
to address a particular aspect or clinical manifestation that occurs
in the context of Kidney Yang deficiency, e.g. cold intolerance or
sexual hypofunction.

The KIDNEY YIN NOURISHING Formulas

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Rehmannia Six Formula BP015)
•K
 idney Yin deficiency with mild deficiency Heat
•B
 road range of disorders, including endocrine, urogenital,
age-related
•A
 lso for children with delayed development due to deficiency of
the Kidney Yin and Essence
Zhi Bai Ba Wei Wan
(Anemarrhena, Phellodendron & Rehmannia Formula BP038)
•K  idney Yin deficiency and pronounced signs of deficiency Heat
• F lushed face, red cheeks or malar flush; low grade fever, tidal
fever or afternoon fever; dry mouth and throat; thirst; night
sweating; hot hands and feet
•B  road range of disorders, including endocrine, urogenital, age-
related and chronic illnesses
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
(Lycium, Chrysanthemum & Rehmannia Formula BP017)
•K  idney Yin deficiency together with Liver Blood and Liver
Yin deficiency
• P ossibly also with Liver Yang hyperactivity
•B  road range of applications
• E ye disorders, dizziness headaches and hypertension
Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
(Rehmannia Formula to Brighten the Eyes BP075)
• L iver-Kidney Yin deficiency with Liver Blood deficiency and Yang
hyperactivity or deficiency Fire.
• F or a broad range of eye disorders
•A  lso for hypertension

Zuo Gui Wan (Left Returning Formula BP039)

•K  idney Yin and Essence deficiency
• S tronger tonic than Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
•M  ore severe signs of Kidney Yin deficiency (i.e. low back pain,
seminal emissions, dizziness, tinnitus, poor memory, sexual
hypofunction or infertility
•M  ild signs of deficiency Heat (compare with Zhi Bai Ba Wei
Wan, above)
•B  road range of disorders, including endocrine, urogenital,
age-related and chronic illnesses
•A  lso for children with delayed development due to deficiency of
the Kidney Yin and Essence

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 Distinguishing Between
The Kidney Tonifying Formulas cont.

The KIDNEY YANG TONIFYING Formulas

Fu Gui Ba Wei Wan a.k.a. Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan Zhuang Yang Yi Jing Wan
(Rehmannia Eight Formula BP011) (Epimedium & Ginseng Formula BP053)
• Kidney Yang deficiency •K  idney Yang deficiency and Kidney Essence deficiency
• Warm-tonifying: for intolerance of cold, impotence and • F or low libido, or impotence
general debility
• Fluid metabolism disorders (severe polyuria/nocturia, possibly Qing E Jian Gu Zhuang Yao Wan
also oedema) (Eucommia & Psoralea Formula BP058)
• Broad range of disorders, including endocrine, urogenital,
•K  idney Yang deficiency and Essence deficiency with Liver
age-related and chronic illnesses
Blood deficiency
• P romotes the Kidney’s bone supporting functions
You Gui Wan (Right Returning Formula BP066)
• L oss of bone density, low back pain, sciatica
• Kidney Yang deficiency, and Kidney Essence deficiency •R  estores sexual function, i.e. libido and fertility
• Stronger tonic than Fu Gui Ba Wei Wan
• Warming Er Xian Tang (Epimedium & Curculigo Combination BP041)
• No disorders of fluid metabolism (mild to moderate
•K  idney Yang deficiency (or Kidney Qi deficiency) with deficiency
polyuria/nocturia)
Fire/Yang hyperactivity (‘upfloating Yang’)
• Broad range of disorders, including endocrine, urogenital,
• F or menopausal women with hot flushes and/or hypertension
age-related and chronic illnesses
Zhi Shen Yu Tai Wan (Dang Gui & Epimedium Formula BP085)
Ba Ji Yin Yang Wan (Morinda Combination BP002)
•K  idney Yang-Essence deficiency, with Blood deficiency and
• Kidney Yang deficiency and Kidney Essence deficiency
Blood stasis
• Not strongly warming
• F emale infertility
• Sexual disorders (sexual hypofunction with premature
ejaculation in males; infertility, excessive clear leukorrhea
in females)
• Fluid disorders (polyuria)
• Bone and joint disorders (low back pain, sciatica)

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