Mai Wei Di Huang Wan
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
麥味地黃丸 · Mài Wèi Dì Huáng Wán
A classical Liu Wei modification for Kidney-Lung Yin deficiency with dry cough, night sweating and thirst.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Yin-Tonifying Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Kidney Yin Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Enrich Yin, astringe Lung, stop cough and sweating
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Nourish Kidney-Lung Yin and astringe the Lung
- Classical Source
- Classical TCM formulary
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical Liu Wei modification for Kidney-Lung Yin deficiency with dry cough, night sweating and thirst.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for Kidney-Lung Yin deficiency with dry cough and night sweating, rather than plain Kidney Yin, stronger Lung Yin dry cough, or Yin-deficiency fire.
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
山茱萸Shan Zhu Yu12g
Cornus Fruit- astringes the liver and kidney and secures essence
山藥Shan Yao12g
Chinese Yam- boosts qi
- nourishes yin and astringes the essence
麥冬Mai Dong12g
Ophiopogon Tuber- nourishes yin and generates fluids
佐/使Assistant & EnvoyTreats accompanying patterns, harmonises the whole
五味子Wu Wei Zi6g
Schisandra Fruit- astringes and generates fluids
茯苓Fu Ling9g
Poria / Hoelen- fortifies the spleen
- leaches dampness and quiets the heart
牡丹皮Mu Dan Pi9g
Moutan Bark / Tree Peony Bark- clears heat
- cools blood and gently invigorates blood
澤瀉Ze Xie9g
Alisma Rhizome- leaches dampness and drains ministerial fire via the urine
Classical Composition
- Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata (Shu Di Huang) 24g
- Fructus Corni (Shan Zhu Yu) 12g
- Rhizoma Dioscoreae (Shan Yao) 12g
- Radix Ophiopogonis (Mai Dong) 12g
- Fructus Schisandrae (Wu Wei Zi) 6g
- Poria (Fu Ling) 9g
- Cortex Moutan (Mu Dan Pi) 9g
- Rhizoma Alismatis (Ze Xie) 9g
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Enriches lung and kidney yin and astringes the lung to stop cough.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for lung-kidney yin deficiency.
- Signs and symptoms include dry cough, night sweating, and a fine rapid pulse.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue is red with little coating.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This pattern is caused by kidney yin depletion that fails to nourish the liver and moisten the upper orifices.
- Water fails to restrain fire, so deficiency heat rises, with lumbar weakness, tinnitus, dry eyes or steaming bone sensations.
Clinical presentation
- Lung-kidney yin deficiency produces dry cough, night sweating and a fine rapid pulse; wu wei zi astringes the lung qi.
Treatment strategy
- The correct method is to enrich kidney yin, nourish the liver, and restrain deficiency fire.
- In this formula the emphasis is to nourish Kidney-Lung Yin and astringe the Lung.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Mai Wei Di Huang Wan, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, Bai He Gu Jin Tang and Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan nourish Yin related to Lung or Kidney. Liu Wei is the base Kidney Yin tonic; Bai He Gu Jin Tang nourishes Lung-Kidney Yin for dry cough; Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan clears Yin-deficiency fire. Mai Wei Di Huang Wan is a Liu Wei modification that astringes the Lung for Kidney-Lung Yin deficiency with dry cough and night sweating.
Clinical Differentiation
- Mai Wei Di Huang Wan is used for lung-kidney yin deficiency with dry cough and night sweating.
- Mai Dong and Wu Wei Zi are added to Liu Wei Di Huang Wan to astringe and moisten the lung.
- It is distinguished from Bai He Gu Jin Tang (more metal-nourishing) and from Liu Wei used for lower-source yin only.
Safety notes: This formula is enriching and astringent. It is not appropriate for phlegm-damp cough or for spleen deficiency with loose stools.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Mai Wei Di Huang Wan?
Mai Wei Di Huang Wan (also called Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan) has the actions of nourishing Kidney and Lung Yin and astringing leakage. It is Liu Wei Di Huang Wan plus Mai Dong and Wu Wei Zi, used when Kidney Yin deficiency has already involved the Lung.
Which modern conditions is Mai Wei Di Huang Wan suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Kidney-Lung Yin deficiency, including chronic dry cough or night sweats of this pattern, some residual cough after a febrile illness with a red scant-coated tongue, and steaming-bone or consumptive Heat pictures after medical causes have been assessed.
Is Mai Wei Di Huang Wan suitable for improving a dry Yin-deficiency cough and night sweats?
For presentations of dry cough with little sputum, night sweats or five-center heat, dry throat, sore weak lower back, a red tongue with little coating, and a thin rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Kidney-Lung Yin deficiency — TCM commonly applies Mai Wei Di Huang Wan as an adjunct. Persistent cough, bloody sputum, or unexplained weight loss requires medical evaluation.
Related Products
Hoi Tin Mai Wei Di Huang Wan (Ophiopogon and Schisandra Rehmannia Formula) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
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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.