六味地黄丸 / Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Treats the following symptoms:
Nourish Root Yin originated from the “Concise explanation of Paediatric Herbs and Syndromes”, written by Qian Yi, a paediatrician expert in the Song Dynasty. It has a history of more than 900 years of clinical application. The original intention of Dr. Qian Yi was to treat paediatric growth retardation and dysplasia. However, contrary to the original intention of Dr. Qian Yi, Nourish Root Yin has become a good formula for nourishing Yin and Kidney and health care. It is widely used in Kidney and Yin Deficiency disorders, manifested as sore and weakness of waist, dizziness, tinnitus, hot flashes, night sweats, and dry mouth, feeling of hot in palm and sole, insomnia.
It has a wide range of indications such as ageing, tinnitus, growth and pubertal delay, vaginal dryness, irregular menstruation, sore throat, neurasthenia, chronic nephritis. Studies also found out that Nourish Root Yin has anti-ageing and antioxidant effects, is effective in overcoming learning and memory barriers and consolidating memory and can prevent progressive dementia and amnesia.
ABSENCE OF MENSTRUATION (AMENORRHOEA)
Typical symptoms:
absence of Menstruation (amenorrhoea)Disease description:
Menstruation refers to the days when the menstrual blood flows from the vagina. A cycle is the time from the first day of menstruation to the last day before the next menstruation. This is different for every woman but normally takes happens about every 21 to 35 days. Usually, menstrual bleeding occurs 28 days after the last period. Normally menstruation starts with heavier bleeding, which becomes lighter over the next few days. The light red blood becomes darker and darker. The menstrual period lasts three to six days and at the end, there may well be spotting with old, brownish blood. As a rule, women lose a total of about 50-60 millilitres of blood during menstruation.
Cycle disturbances or irregularities in the female cycle can occur, which relate to the frequency, duration and strength/heaviness of menstruation. They are normal immediately after the first menstrual period, as menstruation and hormonal changes must first settle down.
There are many causes of cycle disturbances. Since the cycle is hormonally controlled, hormonal disorders, as well as diseases of the female sexual organs, are most often the cause of changes. Moreover, medication, genetic disposition, physical or psychological stress can also be the cause of cycle problems.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Amenorrhoea is a reflection of the overall dysfunction of the body. It involves the functions of the organs and the prosperity and weakness of Chong Ren Qi. There are many types of complex syndromes. But it can be summarized as Deficiency and Excess. Those with Deficiency are mostly due to lack of Liver and Kidney, Deficiency of Essence and Blood; or due to Weakness of Qi and Blood, and Blood Empty of the uterus.
An Excess pattern, mostly due to Stagnation of Qi and Blood Stasis, Phlegm and Dampness, blockades Chong and Ren, therefore menstrual blood can’t go down and causes amenorrhoea.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Qi, Blood and Kidney Deficiency
Recommended formulas to use:
Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency
Recommended formulas to use:
Qi and Blood Stagnation
Recommended formulas to use:
Damp Retention
Recommended formulas to use:
DIABETES (NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES)
Typical symptoms:
diabetes, dry mouth, fatigue, loss of energy, thirst, wound or ulcer healing slowly or with difficultyDisease description:
Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases which are characterized by a chronically elevated blood sugar level. Most common are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, which usually begins in childhood or adolescence, where the immune system attacks the body. As a result, the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas die and lead to an absolute deficiency of the body’s hormone insulin. Without insulin, blood sugar levels rise, and patients become insulin-dependent and have to inject it.
About 90% of diabetics have type 2 diabetes, they are non-insulin-dependent, but in later stages can become insulin-dependent. Overweight, unhealthy nutrition and too little exercise increases the risk of disease and can lead to diabetes in genetically predisposed individuals. Type 2 diabetics have an elevated sugar level in the blood due to insulin resistance, meaning the body’s cells react less well to insulin. Insulin is responsible for transferring sugar molecules from the blood into the cells. If the insulin resistance is too high – the sugar accumulates in the blood vessels. Elevated blood sugar levels are mainly indicated by fatigue, lack of drive, increased thirst and urination, a tendency to catch infections and poorly healing wounds, as well as dry or itching skin. Acute complications are infections, severe high sugar level up to sugar coma. Complications arising in the large and small blood vessels and nervous system can lead to heart, eye and kidney disease, as well as diabetic foot syndrome.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Chinese medicine believes that diabetes, known as Xiao-Ke Syndrome (emaciation and thirst), is caused by improper diet as well as emotional depression which are leading to Lung, Kidney and Yin Deficiency and Spleen and Stomach Heat. Symptoms of Lung Yin Deficiency are excessive thirst or hunger, Kidney Yin Deficiency and Endogenous Deficiency fire can cause excessive or an abnormally large production or passage of urine. So, the root cause of diabetes is Yin Deficiency and Heat is the appearance.
Xiao-Ke is commonly classified into three types according to the Chinese medicine theories: Upper, Middle and Lower Jiao. The Upper type is characterized by excessive thirst, the Middle by excessive hunger, and the Lower by excessive urination.
Due to the prolonged course of diabetes, Yin Deficiency and Dry Heat will consume Yang, so the problem often develops into Kidney Yin Deficiency or Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang Deficiency Syndrome. If it is further extended for a long time, Stasis Syndrome will appear with symptoms like fundus disease or diabetic foot.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Beginning Stage in middle and upper Jiao with Lung and Stomach Heat and Yin Deficiency
Recommended formulas to use:
Later Stage in lower Jiao: Kidney Yin Deficiency
Recommended formulas to use:
Later Stage in lower Jiao: Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang Deficiency
Prolonged diabetes consumes Yin and causes Kidney Yin and Yang Deficiency : frequent and excessive urination, cloudy/ milky urination, darkened face, dryness, low back and knee pain, aversion of cold, low libido, pale tongue and white coating, weak pulse
Recommended formulas to use:
Blockage and Stagnation of Meridians / Diabetic Foot Syndrome
Yin Deficiency and Empty Heat blocking Meridians and causing nerve inflammation:
tingling feeling in the hands and feet
Formula to use: Clear Root Fire + Diabetic Herbs
Heat creates a local Blood Stagnation:
hot feeling gangrenes, painful, red, burning
Formula to use: Clear Toxic Heat + Expel Stasis + Diabetic Herbs
Yin and Yang Deficiency creating Blood Stagnation and Yang can not reach limbs:
cold feeling gangrenes, painful, dark color
Formula to use: Warm Cold Limbs + Diabetic Herbs
Recommended formulas to use:
INFERTILITY
Disease description:
If a woman does not become pregnant for at least a year, despite the desire for children and unprotected sexual intercourse, medicine uses the term infertility. The causes of infertility are various. Because becoming pregnant is influenced by several factors, a disturbance to a single factor can lead to sterility in a woman. The most common reasons for infertility are either from disturbances in the interplay of hormones, the lifestyle one lives or organic diseases. For example, male hormones are produced in the fatty tissue of the female body, being overweight can thus lead to an imbalance of hormones. The consumption of alcohol, nicotine and drugs can harm fertility. Organic causes include adhesions and knots, myomas and endometriosis.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Chinese medicine believes that the mechanism of conception is depending on a strong Kidney Qi, sufficient Blood and Essence and a smooth flow of Ren and Chong Meridians for the monthly period to be on schedule and the good connection of the two Essences (sperm and egg) to conceive. With genetic insufficiency, injury from emotions, life imbalance or External Pathogens, the organs can become dysfunctional and Qi and Blood become disharmonized. They won’t be able to lead to pregnancy in the female body. The pathogenesis is mainly manifested in Kidney Deficiency, Liver Depression, Phlegm Dampness, Blood Stasis and Blood Deficiency.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Treatment Plan (for 2-3 Months)
Step 1: During Period (clearing up stagnation and letting the blood flow)
Angelic Four + Expel Uterus Stagnation
Step 2: After Period (preparing and strengthening the body for ovulation)
Angelic Four + Nourish Root Yin
Step 3: Ovulation Time (increasing blood flow)
Angelic Four + Merry Life or Smooth Liver
Step 4: After Ovulation Time (warming up the body)
Angelic Four + Yu Lin Zhu or Tonic Yang
Repeat and start again with Step 1.
After Becoming Pregnant
Once become pregnant, keep taking immediately double to triple dosage of An Tai Bao until beginning of 4. Month of pregnancy to avoid miscarriage.
Recommended formulas to use:
IRREGULAR MENSTRUATION (CYCLE LENGTH CHANGES)
Typical symptoms:
irregular menstruationDisease description:
Menstruation refers to the days when the menstrual blood flows from the vagina. A cycle is the time from the first day of menstruation to the last day before the next menstruation. This is different for every woman but normally takes happens about every 21 to 35 days. Usually, menstrual bleeding occurs 28 days after the last period. Normally menstruation starts with heavier bleeding, which becomes lighter over the next few days. The light red blood becomes darker and darker. The menstrual period lasts three to six days and at the end, there may well be spotting with old, brownish blood. As a rule, women lose a total of about 50-60 millilitres of blood during menstruation.
Cycle disturbances or irregularities in the female cycle can occur, which relate to the frequency, duration and strength/heaviness of menstruation. They are normal immediately after the first menstrual period, as menstruation and hormonal changes must first settle down.
There are many causes of cycle disturbances. Since the cycle is hormonally controlled, hormonal disorders, as well as diseases of the female sexual organs, are most often the cause of changes. Moreover, medication, genetic disposition, physical or psychological stress can also be the cause of cycle problems.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
The Liver, Spleen and Kidney are most closely related to menstruation. The main reason for the Liver to cause irregular menstruation is the poor smooth function of Liver Qi. The Kidney is the other organ which is closely related to menstruation. Kidney Deficiency can cause less menstruation and a cold feeling. The Cold, Heat and Dampness are disturbing Liver and Kidney and Spleen functions, blocking the blood flow and cause irregular and delayed menstruation.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Liver Qi Stagnation
Scanty bleeding, clots, abdominal and breast distension, premenstrual tension, depression, sighing, irritability.
Merry Life Formula or if symptoms like restlessness or vivid/ bright red period blood, use: Relaxed Wanderer
Recommended formulas to use:
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Recommended formulas to use:
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Scanty periods, dizziness, blurred vision, night sweating, thirst.
Recommended formulas to use:
LATE OR DELAYED MENSTRUATION (CYCLE LONGER THAN 35 DAYS)
Typical symptoms:
late menstruationDisease description:
Menstruation refers to the days when the menstrual blood flows from the vagina. A cycle is the time from the first day of menstruation to the last day before the next menstruation. This is different for every woman but normally takes happens about every 21 to 35 days. Usually, menstrual bleeding occurs 28 days after the last period. Normally menstruation starts with heavier bleeding, which becomes lighter over the next few days. The light red blood becomes darker and darker. The menstrual period lasts three to six days and at the end, there may well be spotting with old, brownish blood. As a rule, women lose a total of about 50-60 millilitres of blood during menstruation.
Cycle disturbances or irregularities in the female cycle can occur, which relate to the frequency, duration and strength/heaviness of menstruation. They are normal immediately after the first menstrual period, as menstruation and hormonal changes must first settle down.
There are many causes of cycle disturbances. Since the cycle is hormonally controlled, hormonal disorders, as well as diseases of the female sexual organs, are most often the cause of changes. Moreover, medication, genetic disposition, physical or psychological stress can also be the cause of cycle problems.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Late or delayed Menstruation may be a Deficiency Syndrome or Excess Syndrome. The Deficiency Syndrome is due to insufficient Qi and Blood and menstrual blood can’t flow on time. Excess Syndrome means that the Meridians are impassable due to Stagnation or Cold and the Qi Blood are not running smoothly.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Blood and Yin Deficiency
Recommended formulas to use:
Liver Qi Stagnation
Recommended formulas to use:
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Late periods, scanty pale blood, back pain, nocturia, dizziness, a feeling of cold, fatigue, low libido.
generally: Tonic Yang
if very tired or very cold feeling: Way to Right
Recommended formulas to use:
LOW LIBIDO IN WOMEN
Typical symptoms:
low libidoDisease description:
The beginning or end of a relationship or major life changes, such as pregnancy, menopause or illness, can cause a woman’s sexual desire (libido) to naturally fluctuate. It is true that not every sexual pause means that one’s sexuality is disturbed. However, if the listlessness, pain or other problems in sexuality occur in the long term and cause suffering, women should react urgently. One reason for low libido can be a lack of male hormones in the female hormone balance, caused by taking contraceptives or due to menopause. In rare cases, various kidney and heart diseases, diabetes, depression and the taking of medication can reduce sexual desire. Being concerned by your lack of sexual activity or fantasies, having no interest in sexual activity or no sexual fantasies at all are symptoms of low libido.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that sexual function mainly depends on the Kidney Qi. The Kidney Qi stimulates sexual desire. If the Kidney is overworked and Kidney Qi damaged, it is unable to initiate libido and to nourish the genitals, which causes low libido. The Liver Meridian surrounds the vaginal organs, therefore Liver Qi Stagnation or Phlegm-Dampness blocking the Meridians can also cause weak libido.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Recommended formulas to use:
Liver Qi Stagnation
Recommended formulas to use:
Kidney Yin Deficiency and Damp-Heat
A diminished sex drive, low energy levels and fatigue, dizziness, tinnitus, poor memory, night sweating, dry mouth at night, thirst without the desire to drink, five-palm heat, scanty dark yellow urine, a feeling of heaviness.
Recommended formulas to use:
TINNITUS
Typical symptoms:
tinnitusDisease description:
Tinnitus is the perception of noise the ears, which can occur suddenly in the form of ringing, whistling, buzzing, humming or hissing. The most frequent causes are stress, noise or blast trauma, sudden deafness, ear diseases, cardiovascular diseases, side effects of medication, but in most cases the cause isn’t determined. Acute tinnitus can last for up to three months, where individuals only perceive the sounds for a few seconds before they disappear. If these symptoms persist for more than half a year, the tinnitus is classified as chronic.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Kidney Yin or Essence Deficiency
Recommended formulas to use:
Liver and Gallbladder Fire
Recommended formulas to use:
Phlegm Fire Rising
Recommended formulas to use:
VAGINAL DRYNESS
Typical symptoms:
vaginal drynessDisease description:
Sexual arousal causes the secretion from glands, which moistens the vaginal duct. The fluid is then pressed out of a venous plexus surrounding the vagina. The most common reason for vaginal dryness is a disturbed hormone balance of women. During pregnancy or when the female body enters the menopause, the oestrogen level decreases. This cause changes the sexual organs as the blood flow decreases, and the vagina and labia are less well supplied with blood and thus the vaginal wall becomes thinner. Sufficient fluid to lubricate can’t be produced anymore. Anxiety, stress or nervousness can also manifest itself negatively as vaginal dryness. Diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis and endometriosis as well as certain drugs and hormonal contraceptives can lead to vaginal dryness. Pain and bleeding during or after intercourse, burning and itching in the genital area and burning when urinating are typical symptoms.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
The Liver Meridian surrounds the vaginal organs and the tendon system of the Kidney Meridians is connected to the vaginal organs. Liver and Kidney Yin and Blood Deficiency causes the Chong and Ren Meridians not to flow, therefore the vagina is not supported, and vaginal dryness occurs.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency
Vaginal dryness, possibly with: sore back and knees, blurred vision, dizziness, tinnitus, night sweats, dry mouth and throat.
Nourish Root Yin
If with menopausal syndrome: combine with Meno-Well