Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
七寶美髯丹 · Qī Bǎo Měi Rán Dān
A classical tonic for premature graying and hair loss from Kidney essence and blood deficiency.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Yin-Tonifying Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Kidney Yin Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Tonify Kidney, nourish essence and blood, darken hair
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Nourish Kidney essence and blood to darken hair
- Classical Source
- Ming-Qing classical formulary
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical tonic for premature graying and hair loss from Kidney essence and blood deficiency.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for premature graying and hair loss from Kidney essence and blood deficiency, rather than simple Yin tonics or broader anti-aging essence formulas.
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
當歸Dang Gui12g
Chinese Angelica Root- nourishes and and gently invigorates blood
補骨脂Bu Gu Zhi9g
Psoralea Fruit- warms the kidney and spleen and secures the stool
牛膝Niu Xi9g
Achyranthes Root- invigorates blood
- guides downward and supplements liver and kidney
茯苓Fu Ling12g
Poria / Hoelen- fortifies the spleen
- leaches dampness and quiets the heart
Classical Composition
- Polygoni Multiflori Radix (He Shou Wu) 24g
- Fructus Lycii (Gou Qi Zi) 12g
- Semen Cuscutae (Tu Si Zi) 12g
- Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Dang Gui) 12g
- Fructus Psoraleae (Bu Gu Zhi) 9g
- Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae (Niu Xi) 9g
- Poria (Fu Ling) 12g
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Supplements liver and kidney
- nourishes essence and blood
- and darkens the hair.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for liver-kidney essence and blood depletion.
- Signs and symptoms include premature greying, loose teeth, and lumbar weakness.
Tongue & pulseThe pulse is fine and weak.
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.
- Liver-kidney essence and blood depletion produce premature greying, loose teeth and lumbar weakness.
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 essence and blood to darken hair.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan, Er Zhi Wan, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan and Huan Shao Dan all nourish essence for aging or hair. Er Zhi Wan is a simple Liver-Kidney Yin pair; Liu Wei is the base Yin tonic; Huan Shao Dan more broadly tonifies essence and blood. Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan focuses on darkening hair and nourishing essence for premature graying and hair loss.
Clinical Differentiation
- Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan is used for liver-kidney essence and blood depletion with premature greying and loose teeth.
- It is distinguished from Er Zhi Wan (milder yin enrichment) and from Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (yin without the same hair-darkening, essence-filling emphasis).
Safety notes: This formula is enriching. It is not appropriate for spleen-stomach deficiency-cold with poor appetite and 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 Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan?
Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan has the actions of tonifying Liver and Kidney, benefiting Essence and Blood, darkening the hair, and strengthening sinews and bones. The “seven-treasure beautiful-whiskers pill” is a classical Essence-Blood tonic named for restoring lustrous hair and beard.
Which modern conditions is Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Liver-Kidney Essence-Blood deficiency, including premature greying or dry thinning hair of this pattern, sore weak lower back and knees, loose teeth of deficiency type, and some Kidney-deficiency fertility pictures under professional guidance.
Is Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan suitable for improving premature greying and a weak low back?
For presentations of early greying or dry brittle hair, sore weak lumbar region and knees, possible seminal leakage or loose teeth, a pale or thin tongue, and a thin pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Liver-Kidney insufficiency — TCM commonly applies this pill as an adjunct. Sudden patchy hair loss or dental infection needs medical evaluation.
Related Products
Hoi Tin Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan (Seven-Treasure Special Pill for Beautiful Whiskers) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
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Related Articles
Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan: Classic TCM Formula for Premature Graying, Hair Loss & Liver Kidney Deficiency
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan: Classic TCM Formula for Kidney & Liver Yin Deficiency
Huan Shao Dan: Classic TCM Formula for Kidney Deficiency, Premature Aging & Weakness
Er Zhi Wan: Classic TCM Formula for Liver & Kidney Yin Deficiency, Premature Graying & Weakness
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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.