This formula is one of the ten most famous classical Chinese herb formulae.

Uses: shenyinxu (kidney yin deficient)

Syndromes:

Back pain, lack of strength in knees an legs, losing hair, bad gum and teeth, irregular menses, ringing the ears, red face, hot body, prefer cool, uneasiness, dry and cracked lips, dark red tongue with yellow fur, or even with cracks, or black and with spurs.

Modern day usage includes: as anti-oxidant[1], anti-inflammatory [1], anti- cancer, for prostate enlargement, geriatric dementia , and type II diabetes, together with the use of gui pi tang to improve white blood cell count caused by chemotherapy, chronic infection of the sinus area..

Prescription:

shu di huang 32%, shan zhu yu 16%, shan yao 16%, mu dan pi 12%, fu ling 12%, ze xie 12%.  Grind into powder and make into pills.

If there heat syndrome exists use zhi bai di huang wan.

Warning: There are 2 cases reported that there are 2 patients in  2 different hospitals, suffered from bleeding in the digestive tract. They had been using this formula and were diagnosed with sclerosis of the liver.   It is not sure if the incidences were related to liu wei di huang wan, since about 2/3 of cirrhosis patients, during their lifetime encounter bleeding in the digestive tract.

This formula contains mu dan pi which possesses a strong anticoagulation effect. So this formula may not suitable to use with anti-coagulants like Aspirin, heparin or warfarin (Athrombin-K, Carfin, Coumadin, Panwarfin, Sofarin, Warfilone).

There are studies that showed this formula can correct the low level of testosterone of rats, increase hepatic glycogen, lessen the muscle glycogen and improve stamina, correct the metabolism of free radicals in the body. It possesses the effect of anti-tiredness and improve the ability of physical activities.

Warning: There are many herb manufacturers that produced this formula. The editor has encountered some fake products in some part of Asia. It is advisable to buy the product from well established manufacturers and from established herb stores.

Prescription for decoction:

shu di huang 18 g,   shan zhu yu 12 g,  dan pi 9 g, fu ling 12 g, ze xie 9 g, shan yao 12 g。

Rinse herb with water. Add 3 bowls (about 1200 cc) of water and simmer down to 90% of a bowl. Strain and use as tea while warm. Then add 2 1/2 bowls (about 1000 cc) of water to the herb and re-boil. Simmer down to 80% of a bowl. Strain and use as tea while warm. One package per day to be taken in two servings.

The above quantity of herb can be adjusted according to syndrome.

Adjustment:

1. Dry mouth and pain in the throat: add xuan shen 9 g, jie geng 9 g.

2. Achy loin and back: add niu xi 12 g, du zhong 15 g, sang ji sheng 12 g

3. Irritable and thirsty: add huang qi 9 g , ren shen 2 g.

4. Frequent urination: take out ze xie, add yi zhi ren 12 g，  fu pen zi 10 g.

5. Cough and rapid breathing：add wu wei zi 9 g，mai dong 10 g。