Whole herbsTonifyingEpimedii Folium

Yin Yang Huo (Short-horned Epimedium Herb)

淫羊藿 · Yin Yang Huo

Tonifying herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Traditional functions: Supplements kidney yang, strengthens sinew and bone, and dispels wind-damp.

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Quick Facts

Latin Name	Epimedii Folium
Chinese Name & Pinyin	淫羊藿 · Yin Yang Huo
Medicinal Part	Whole herbs
Efficacy Category	Tonifying
Botanical Origin	The dried aerial portion of Epimedium brevicornum Maxim., Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb.et Zucc.) Maxim., Epimedium pubescens Maxim., Epimedium wushanense T. S.Ying, Epimedium koreanum Nakai.(Beriberidaceae).
Nature & Flavour	Acrid, Sweet; Warm
Channels Entered	Liver, Kidney

What Is Yin Yang Huo?

Yin Yang Huo (Short-horned Epimedium Herb) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Anhui, Hubei, Shaanxi, Zhejiang.

Nature & Flavour: Acrid, Sweet; Warm
Channels Entered: Liver, Kidney

Yin Yang Huo: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Epimedii Folium

Botanical Origin

The dried aerial portion of Epimedium brevicornum Maxim., Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb.et Zucc.) Maxim., Epimedium pubescens Maxim., Epimedium wushanense T. S.Ying, Epimedium koreanum Nakai.(Beriberidaceae).

Production Regions

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Anhui, Hubei, Shaanxi, Zhejiang.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material has numerous, unbroken, yellowish-green leaves.

Macroscopic Features

Epimedium brevicornum Maxim.: Stem is thin cylindrical, about 20cm long, externally yellowish-green or pale yellow, lustrous. Opposing leaves, biternate compound leaves; leaflets are oval, 3~8cm long, 2~6cm wide; tip is slightly pointed, heart-shaped leaflet grows from the tip; leaflets on both sides have a flat heart shape, the outer side is relatively large, with an ear-like shape; edge has yellow spiny thin saw-teeth; upper surface is yellowish-green, lower surface is grayish-green, 7~9 main veins, base has loose thin and long hairs, two sides of thin vein are raised, obvious reticular veins; leaflet stem is 1~5cm long. Leaf is nearly leathery. faint odor, slightly bitter taste. Epimedium sagittatum (Sieb.et Zucc.) Maxim.: Ternately compound leaf, leaflet is long oval to oval-lanceolate shape, 4~12cm long, 2.5~5cm wide; tip is gradually pointed, leaflet of both sides are obviously sloped, outer side is arrow-shaped. Lower surface loosely covered thick and short downy hair or nearly no hairs. Leaf is leathery. Epimedium pubescen s Maxim.: Lower surface of leaf and leaf stem all covered tuft-like soft hairs. Epimedium wushanense T. S.Ying: Leaflet is lanceolate to narrow lanceolate shape, 9~23cm long, 1.8~4.5cm wide; tip is gradually pointed or gradually long pointed, edge has spiny teeth, side growing leaflet base has sloped lobe, inner side lob is small, round, outer side lobe is large, triangular, gradually pointed. Lower surface covered cotton-like hairs or no hairs. Epimedium koreanum Nakai.: Leaflet is relatively large, 4~10cm long, 3.5~7cm wide, tip is long and pointed. Leaf is relatively thin.

Traditional TCM Properties

Acrid, Sweet; WarmLiverKidney

Traditional Functions

Supplements kidney yang, strengthens sinew and bone, and dispels wind-damp. Apply to kidney-yang deficiency with impotence, lumbar weakness, and wind-damp bi.

How Yin Yang Huo Is Used in TCM

In the Chinese materia medica, Yin Yang Huo is classified among the Tonifying herbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Yin Yang Huo? Are curculigo and morinda the same?

Official Yin Yang Huo (淫羊藿) is the dried leaf of Epimedium brevicornu, E. sagittatum, E. pubescens or E. koreanum. The pharmacopoeial name is Epimedii Folium. Curculigo is acrid-hot and toxic: tonifies Kidney yang, strengthens sinews and bones, dispels cold-damp. Morinda is sweet-acrid and slightly warm: tonifies Kidney yang, strengthens sinews and bones, dispels wind-damp. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write Yin Yang Huo. Yin vacuity with fire is contraindicated.

What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Yin Yang Huo?

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Yin Yang Huo is acrid, sweet and warm, enters the Liver and Kidney channels, and acts to tonify Kidney yang, strengthen sinews and bones, and dispel wind-damp. It is used for Kidney yang decline, impotence with seminal emission, flaccid sinews and bones, wind-damp bi pain, and numbness with contracture. Acrid-sweet and warm, it suits Kidney yang vacuity and wind-damp—not yin vacuity with fire, or absence of cold.

How do you choose raw versus honey-fried leaf? Can curculigo replace it?

Raw leaf is stronger for dispelling wind-damp. Honey-frying leans to tonifying Kidney yang. Curculigo is acrid-hot and toxic; it cannot replace strengthening sinews and bones by equal weight. Commercial epimedium tea is not equal-weight pieces.

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Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.