Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
六味地黄丸 (Liu Wei Di Huang Wan)
Source: Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue — Qian Yi (Song, 1119)
Description
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) is the foundational formula for nourishing Kidney Yin in TCM. Using an elegant 'three tonics, three drains' structure, it simultaneously nourishes Kidney, Liver, and Spleen Yin while preventing stagnation. Originally formulated for pediatric Kidney deficiency, it has become one of the most widely used formulas in Chinese medicine for adults with Kidney Yin deficiency patterns.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shan Zhu Yu | 12g | 16% | Chen (Deputy) | Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin, astringes Essence via sour-astringent quality. |
| Shan Yao | 12g | 16% | Chen (Deputy) | Tonifies Spleen Yin, stabilizes Kidney. Supports postnatal Essence generation. |
| Ze Xie | 9g | 12% | Zuo (Assistant) | Drains Kidney turbidity, prevents stagnation from Shu Di Huang's cloying nature. |
| Mu Dan Pi | 9g | 12% | Zuo (Assistant) | Clears deficiency Heat, cools Liver fire, moderates Shan Zhu Yu's astringency. |
| Fu Ling | 9g | 12% | Zuo (Assistant) | Drains Spleen dampness, supports Shan Yao's tonifying action. |
| Shu Di Huang | 24g | 32% | Jun (Chief) | Nourishes Kidney Yin, fills Essence and marrow. Primary herb targeting the root of Kidney Yin deficiency. |
Total weight: 75g
Preparation
Traditional: grind to fine powder, bind with honey into 6mm pills. Also available as concentrated pills or decoction (decoct 30–40 min, gentle simmer).
Dosage
Honey pills: 6–9g 2–3x/day on empty stomach with warm water. Concentrated pills: 8 pills 3x/day. Decoction: 1 dose/day in 2 servings.
Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).