Zuo Gui Wan
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
左歸丸 · Zuǒ Guī Wán
A classical pure Yin-tonifying formula for true Yin deficiency without excess fire, with lumbar weakness and essence depletion.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Yin-Tonifying Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Kidney Yin Deficiency
- Primary Function
- Enrich Yin, tonify Kidney, replenish essence and marrow
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Purely nourish true Yin and replenish essence without draining
- Classical Source
- Ming-Qing classical formulary
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical pure Yin-tonifying formula for true Yin deficiency without excess fire, with lumbar weakness and essence depletion.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected when true Yin and essence are depleted without vigorous ministerial fire, preferring pure tonification over formulas that also clear heat.
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- supplements the liver and kidney
- consolidates the essence
- astringes sweating
山藥Shan Yao12g
Chinese Yam- supplements the spleen yin
- supplements the kidney and consolidates the essence
枸杞子Gou Qi Zi12g
Goji Berry / Lycium Fruit- supplements the kidney essence and supplements the liver to improve vision
佐/使Assistant & EnvoyTreats accompanying patterns, harmonises the whole
菟絲子Tu Si Zi12g
Cuscuta Seed- supplements kidney yang and fortifies kidney essence
川牛膝Chuan Niu Xi9g
Cyathula Root- supplements the liver and kidney
- strengthens the sinews and bones
龜板膠Gui Ban Jiao12g
Tortoise Shell Gelatin- supplements the essence and marrow
- supplements yin and blood
鹿角膠Lu Jiao Jiao12g
Deer Antler Glue- warms the kidney
- assists yangsupplements the essence and blood
Classical Composition
- Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shu Di Huang) 8 liang (240g)
- Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Shan Yao dry-fried) 4 liang (120g)
- Lycii Fructus (Gou Qi Zi) 4 liang (120g)
- Corni Fructus (Shan Zhu Yu) 4 liang (120g)
- Cyathulae Radix (Chuan Niu Xi wash with wine and steamed) 3 liang (90g)
- Cervi Cornus Colla (Lu Jiao Jiao broke into pieces and fried) 4 liang (120g)
- Testudinis Plastri Colla (Gui Ban Jiao broke into pieces and fried) 4 liang (120g)
- Cuscutae Semen (Tu Si Zi prepared) 4 liang (120g)
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Enriches kidney yin
- supplements essence
- and boosts marrow.
Indications
- Zuo Gui Wan is used to treat patterns of true yin deficiency marked by dizziness, blurred vision, soreness of the waist and knees, seminal emission, efflux diarrhea, spontaneous sweating, night sweat, a dry mouth and tongue, a red tongue with a scanty coating, and a thready pulse.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This pattern is caused by deficiency of the true yin, essence, and marrow.
- The kidney stores the essence, is in charge of the bones, and generates marrow.
- Deficiency of kidney yin, essence, and marrow causes less essence to be stored causing symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, soreness of the waist and knees, seminal emission, and efflux diarrhea.
Clinical presentation
- Yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity, forcing body liquids to leak out, causes symptoms of spontaneous sweating and night sweat.
- Yin deficiency, which fails to moisten the upper part of the body, causes a dry mouth and tongue and a red tongue with little coating.
Tongue & pulseThe thready pulse is a sign of true yin deficiency.
Treatment strategy
- The treatment is to supplement the water and cultivate true yin.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Zuo Gui Wan, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, Da Bu Yin Wan and Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan all enrich Kidney Yin. Liu Wei both tonifies and mildly drains; Da Bu Yin Wan strongly enriches Yin and clears ministerial fire; Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan adds heat-clearing for milder Yin-deficiency fire. Zuo Gui Wan purely tonifies true Yin and essence without draining, for deficiency without excess fire.
Clinical Differentiation
- Zuo Gui Wan serves as the most common formula applied for true yin deficiency.
- The medicinals in this formula are mainly used to supplement yin.
- Therefore, long-term administration may cause stagnation of the spleen and stomach.
- This formula is to be used cautiously for patients suffering from diarrhea due to spleen deficiency.
- This clinical pattern is marked by dizziness, blurred vision, soreness of the waist and knees, scanty coating, thready pulse.
Safety notes: Ingredients in the formula are mainly of yin nature and are nourishing and moistening. Long-term administration may cause impairment of the spleen and stomach. Therefore, it should be used 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 Zuo Gui Wan?
Zuo Gui Wan has the actions of nourishing Kidney Yin, replenishing Essence (Jing), and benefiting the marrow. It is a pure Yin-tonifying formula designed for true Yin deficiency of the Kidney without the draining components found in milder Yin formulas.
Which modern diseases is Zuo Gui Wan suited to?
Modern TCM clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within profound Kidney Yin and Essence deficiency, including menopausal symptoms of Yin-deficiency type, premature ovarian insufficiency or low ovarian reserve, osteoporosis with Kidney Yin deficiency, tinnitus or hearing decline, certain cases of infertility linked to Essence depletion, and chronic lower-back weakness or fatigue of this pattern.
Is Zuo Gui Wan suitable for improving lower-back weakness, dizziness, night sweats, and dry mouth from Yin deficiency?
For presentations of soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, dizziness or tinnitus, night sweats or spontaneous sweating, dry mouth and throat, possible seminal emission or menstrual scarcity, a red tongue with little or no coating, and a thin pulse — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms true Kidney Yin and Essence deficiency — TCM commonly applies Zuo Gui Wan as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical evaluation of underlying conditions.
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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.