Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
知柏地黄丸 · Zhī Bǎi Dì Huáng Wán
A modification of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan with Zhi Mu and Huang Bai added to clear Empty Fire generated by Kidney Yin deficiency. Classic for night sweats, tidal fever, five-heart heat and menopausal hot flushes.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Yin-Tonifying Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Kidney Yin Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Nourish Yin, clear deficiency Heat
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Nourish Kidney Yin and clear deficiency Fire (Empty Heat)
- Classical Source
- Yi Zong Jin Jian / Investigation of Medical Formulas (Ming dynasty)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A modification of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan with Zhi Mu and Huang Bai added to clear Empty Fire generated by Kidney Yin deficiency. Classic for night sweats, tidal fever, five-heart heat and menopausal hot flushes.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected when Yin deficiency has given rise to prominent Empty Fire — night sweats, five-heart hotness, tidal fever — adding heat-clearing action to the plain Yin-tonifying base of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, whereas Qi Ju Di Huang Wan instead directs the same base towards the eyes.
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- leaches dampness and drains ministerial fire via the urine
牡丹皮Mu Dan Pi9g
Moutan Bark / Tree Peony Bark- clears heat
- cools blood and and gently invigorates blood
茯苓Fu Ling9g
Poria / Hoelen- fortifies the spleen
- leaches dampness and quiets the heart
知母Zhi Mu9g
Anemarrhena Rhizome- clears heat and enriches yin
黃柏Huang Bai9g
Phellodendron Bark- clears damp-heat from the and lowers jiao
Classical Composition
- Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata (Shu Di Huang) 24g
- Fructus Corni (Shan Zhu Yu) 12g
- Rhizoma Dioscoreae (Shan Yao) 12g
- Rhizoma Alismatis (Ze Xie) 9g
- Cortex Moutan (Mu Dan Pi) 9g
- Poria (Fu Ling) 9g
- Rhizoma Anemarrhenae (Zhi Mu) 9g
- Cortex Phellodendri (Huang Bai) 9g
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Enriches yin and downs fire
- clears deficiency heat from the kidney.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for kidney yin deficiency with vigorous deficiency fire.
- Signs and symptoms include steaming bone tidal fever, night sweating, soreness of the lumbar region and knees, seminal emission, and yellow or scanty urine.
Tongue & pulseThe tongue is red with little coating, and the pulse is fine and rapid.
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.
- Kidney yin deficiency allows ministerial fire to stir; zhi mu and huang bai clear this deficiency fire with steaming bone, night sweating and yellow urine.
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 Yin and clear deficiency Fire (Empty Heat).
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan addresses Yin deficiency with prominent Empty Fire. Liu Wei Di Huang Wan is the pure Yin tonic base. Qi Ju Di Huang Wan adds eye-benefiting herbs. Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin and Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang target rising Yang/Wind rather than pure deficiency Heat.
Clinical Differentiation
- Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan is used when kidney yin deficiency presents with vigorous deficiency fire.
- The pattern is marked by steaming bone sensation, night sweating, yellow urine and a fine rapid pulse.
- Zhi Mu and Huang Bai distinguish it from Liu Wei Di Huang Wan and from Qi Ju Di Huang Wan, which is directed more toward the eyes than toward fire.
Safety notes: Zhi Mu and Huang Bai are bitter and cold. This formula is not appropriate for yang deficiency or spleen-stomach deficiency-cold.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan?
Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan has the actions of nourishing Kidney Yin and draining deficiency Fire. It is Liu Wei Di Huang Wan with Zhi Mu and Huang Bai added when Yin deficiency has already generated vigorous empty Heat.
Which modern diseases is Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Kidney Yin deficiency with empty Fire, including menopausal heat with night sweats and tidal fever of this pattern, recurrent urinary discomfort from deficiency Fire rather than acute infection, nocturnal emission driven by empty Heat, and some low-grade “steaming bone” or consumptive Heat pictures after medical causes have been assessed.
Is Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan suitable for improving night sweats, tidal fever, and sore low back from Yin deficiency?
For presentations of night sweats, five-center heat or afternoon tidal fever, dry mouth and throat, sore weak lower back and knees, possible nocturnal emission or scant dark urine, a red tongue with little coating, and a thin rapid pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Yin deficiency with empty Fire — TCM commonly applies Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan as an adjunct. It cannot replace evaluation of endocrine, infectious, or other medical causes of night sweats.
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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.