Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
六味地黄丸 · Liù Wèi Dì Huáng Wán
The foundational Yin-tonifying formula for Kidney Yin deficiency. It nourishes the Kidney while gently draining residual dampness and empty heat, addressing dizziness, tinnitus, night sweats, lumbar soreness and a red tongue with scant coating.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Yin-Tonifying Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Kidney Yin Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Nourish Kidney Yin
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Nourish Kidney Yin and enrich the essence
- Classical Source
- Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue (Qian Yi, Song dynasty) / later popularised
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
The foundational Yin-tonifying formula for Kidney Yin deficiency. It nourishes the Kidney while gently draining residual dampness and empty heat, addressing dizziness, tinnitus, night sweats, lumbar soreness and a red tongue with scant coating.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for pure Kidney Yin deficiency without prominent empty Fire or eye symptoms — the foundational formula from which Qi Ju Di Huang Wan and Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan are derived by adding directional herbs.
Composition: Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Envoy
Every herb in the formula, grouped by the job it does in the classical hierarchy.
君SovereignTreats the main pattern
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
佐/使Assistant & EnvoyTreats accompanying patterns, harmonises the whole
澤瀉Ze Xie9g
Alisma Rhizome- drains dampness and directs the turbid downward
牡丹皮Mu Dan Pi9g
Moutan Bark / Tree Peony Bark- clears deficiency-heat
茯苓Fu Ling9g
Poria / Hoelen- fortifies the spleen and drains dampness
Classical Composition
- Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shu Di Huang) 8 qian (24g)
- Corni Fructus (Shan Zhu Yu) 4 qian (12g)
- Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shan Yao) 4 qian (12g)
- Alismatis Rhizoma (Ze Xie) 3 qian (9g)
- Moutan Cortex (Mu Dan Pi) 3 qian (9g)
- Poria (Fu Ling) 3 qian (9g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Supplements and nourishes the liver and kidney.
Indications
- Liu Wei Di Huang Wan is indicated for liver-kidney yin deficiency.
- The symptoms are soreness of the waist and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, deafness, night sweat, seminal emission, xiao ke (wasting-thirst), steaming bone fever, feverish feeling in the palms and soles, a dry mouth and throat, loosening of the teeth, heel pain, dribbling of urine, and unclosed fontanel in children.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue is red with scanty coating and the pulse is deep, thready, and rapid.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- The kidney stores the essence and is considered to be the foundation of the congenital (prenatal) constitution.
- The liver stores the blood.
- Essence and blood can convert into each other.
- Therefore, yin and blood deficiency of the liver and kidney will usually interact with each other.
- The lumbus is the house of the kidney, which governs bone and generates marrow.
- The teeth are the surplus of the bones and the knees are the house of the sinews.
- Therefore, kidney yin deficiency leads to an insufficiency of bone marrow, which causes soreness of the waist and knees and loosening of the teeth.
- The brain is the sea of marrow.
- Kidney yin deficiency fails to generate the marrow needed to replenish the brain.
- Deficient liver blood fails to supplement the brain and the eyes causing dizziness.
- The kidney opens its orifice into the ears.
- Deficient kidney yin is unable to supplement the upper part of the body.
- Also, deficient heat may affect the clear orifices and cause tinnitus and deafness.
- The kidney stores the essence.
- Kidney yin deficiency causes seminal emission due to ministerial fire disturbing the essence chamber.
- Yin deficiency generates internal heat, or may even cause deficiency fire to flame upward.
- The failure of the fontanel to close in children is caused by slow bone growth due to kidney deficiency.
Clinical presentation
- The symptoms present as steaming bone fever, xiao ke, night sweat, dribbling of urine, a red tongue with scanty coating, and a deep, thready, and rapid pulse.
Treatment strategy
- The therapeutic principles used to remedy this pattern are to supplement liver-kidney yin, clear deficiency-heat, and drain damp-turbidity.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan is the pure Yin-tonifying base. Qi Ju Di Huang Wan adds Gou Qi Zi and Ju Hua for eye symptoms. Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan adds Zhi Mu and Huang Bai to clear empty Fire. Zuo Gui Wan is a stronger pure Yin tonic without the draining components.
Clinical Differentiation
- Liu Wei Di Huang Wan is a commonly used formula applicable to liver-kidney yin deficiency.
- It is inappropriate for patients suffering diarrhea due to spleen deficiency.This clinical pattern is marked by soreness of the waist and knees, dizziness, dry mouth and throat, red tongue with scanty coating, deep, thready, and rapid pulse.
Safety notes: Use with caution in patients with diarrhea due to spleen deficiency.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan?
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan has the actions of nourishing Kidney and Liver Yin and mildly clearing empty Heat. It is the foundational Yin-tonifying formula in Chinese medicine, designed with a balanced “three tonifying, three draining” structure.
Which modern diseases is Liu Wei Di Huang Wan suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Kidney and Liver Yin deficiency, including menopausal hot flashes and night sweats, diabetes with Yin deficiency, tinnitus, chronic lower back and knee weakness, certain forms of hypertension or chronic fatigue with empty Heat signs, and supportive care in chronic kidney-related conditions.
Is Liu Wei Di Huang Wan suitable for improving lower back soreness, dizziness, and night sweats?
For presentations of soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, night sweats, five-center heat, dry mouth and throat, a red tongue with little coating, and a thin rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Kidney Yin deficiency — TCM commonly applies Liu Wei Di Huang Wan as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment.
Related Products
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Liu Wei Di Huang Wan: Classic TCM Formula for Kidney & Liver Yin Deficiency
Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan: Classic TCM Formula for Yin Deficiency with Fire, Night Sweats & Hot Flashes
Zuo Gui Wan: Classic TCM Formula for Kidney Yin Deficiency, Lower Back Pain & Night Sweats
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan: Classic TCM Formula for Kidney & Liver Yin Deficiency with Eye Problems
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Medical Disclaimer
For general TCM education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a chronic condition.