Ba Ji Yin Yang Teapills to restore equilibrium of Yin and Yang
TCM Functions: Tonifies and Warms Kidney Yang, Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin, Nourishes Blood, Restrains the Leakage of Fluids, Secures the Jing-essence.
TCM Diagnosis: Kidney Yang deficiency leading to instability in the lower jiao (burner). May also be used to treat dual Lung and Kidney deficiency.
Presentation: frequent urination, night urination, occasional incontinence; occasional impotence or over-stimulation, occasional leakage of semen; clear vaginal discharge, cock’s crow loose stool, or other occasional leakage of fluids. May present with decreased sex drive, listlessness, mild fatigue, weakness and stiffness in the low back and knees, occasional cold limbs and cold intolerance. Also for dual Lung and Kidney deficiency presenting with mild respiratory weakness or sensitivity to seasonal environmental changes, changes in air quality, and minor skin irritations or sensitivity.
Tongue: pale, swollen, coat may be wet or slippery
Pulse: deep, weak, may be slow
Ingredients: Ba ji tian/Morinda officinalis root 12.3%, Shu di huang/Rehmannia glutinosa root-prep 12.3%, Yin yang huo/Epimedium brevicornum herb 12.3%, Shan yao/Dioscorea opposita rhizome 8%, Bai shao/Paeonia lactiflora root 8%, Bu gu zhi/Psoralea corylifolia fruit 6.2%, Xu duan/Dipsacus asperoides root 6.1%, Lian zi/Nelumbo nucifera seed 6.1%, Shan zhu yu/Cornus officinalis fruit 6.1%, Jin ying zi/Rosa laevigata fruit 6.1%, Gou qi zi/Lycium barbarum fruit 6.1%, Du zhong/Eucommia ulmoides bark 6.1%, Dang gui/Angelica sinensis root 4.1%.
Dosage & Administration: The standard dosage is 8 pills, 3 x day. Administer half an hour before or one hour after eating for optimal digestion & absorption. In the initial phases, dosage may be increased to 8-12 pills 3 times per day, then reduced to a maintenance dose as the formula takes effect. May be used long-term for several weeks to several months. May be used over the course of several years. Monitor for signs of Yin deficient heat.
Cautions & Contraindications: Contraindicated for conditions due to excess. Contraindicated during the early stages of acute infection or illness, such as cold or flu. Use with caution in Yin deficient patients with deficiency heat.
Clinical Comments: As the name Ba Ji Yin Yang Wan implies, this “Yin Yang” formula featuring Ba Ji Tian restores the equilibrium of Yin and Yang to the body by warming Kidney Yang and the Ming Men fire while simultaneously preserving the Yin fluids that keep the fire in balance. Ba Ji Yin Yang Wan is specifically indicated for Kidney Yang deficiency leading to the instability of the lower jiao, resulting in the inability to store Jing-essence and contain or control body fluids. Due to the inability to properly store the Jing-essence there are symptoms of the leakage of semen and vaginal fluids, and the inability to control reproduction leading to common sexual issues in men. Due to the Kidney’s inability to control water metabolism and the proper opening and closing of the two lower gates (urethra and anus), there are also symptoms of body fluids leaking through the urine and stool. The formula is designed to stabilize of the gate of essence to optimize fertility and strengthen the Kidney’s ability to control the two lower gates.
Ba Ji Yin Yang Wan is occasionally used to increase the Lung and Kidneys’ ability to control normal respiration – primarily strengthening the Kidney’s ability to receive and grasp the Lung Qi upon inhalation, to treat mild respiratory weakness. Also used for sensitivity to seasonal environmental changes, changes in air quality, and minor skin irritations or sensitivity.
Ba Ji Yin Yang Wan is also used as a general Kidney tonic to slow the aging process and restore vital energy. As we age the Kidney Yin and Yang begin to slowly diminish, and symptoms such as simple forgetfulness or age-related cognitive decline, weakened vision, bone and joint issues (particularly generalized stiffness, occasional low back and knee pain), and urinary issues such as frequent daytime and nighttime urination, or occasional incontinence begin to appear. Ba Ji Yin Yang Wan works to combat the effects of aging by strengthening the Kidney’s ability to store the Jing-essence and rule the production of Marrow, which both fills the brain (the Sea of Marrow) and supports the bones. It also strengthens the Kidney’s ability to house the Zhi, the spirit which gives us willpower and determination, as well as concentration and memory. Finally, it also supports the Liver Blood to relax tight tendons and benefit the eyes and vision.
The elegance of this formula lies in its capacity to tonify Kidney Yang and restore the Kidney’s ability to restrain Jing-essence and fluids, while at the same time nourishing the Yin, Blood and Jing-essence to replace the loss. The chief herb is acrid, sweet, slightly warm Ba ji tian, which gently tonifies the Kidney and fortifies the Yang, benefits the Jing-essence, and strengthens sinews and bones. Yin yang huo and Bu gu zhi support Ba ji tian to more strongly tonify and warm Kidney Yang and the Ming Men fire, strengthen the lower back and the extremities. Bu gu zhi also directly stabilizes the Jing-essence, secures the urine and helps the Kidneys to grasp the Lung Qi. Xu duan and Du Zhong tonify the Liver and Kidney, strengthen the lower back, generally strengthen the body’s tendons, bones and muscles, and secure the Chong and Ren vessels. Bu gu zhi, Lian zi, Jin ying zi and Shan zhu yu are astringent herbs that work with the Yang tonics to contain the Jing-essence, restrain the inappropriate leakage of fluids, and thus secure the urine and stool. Because Yin and Yang are so intimately entwined, deficiency of one almost always involves some degree of deficiency of the other. Therefore, Shu di huang, Shan yao, and Shan zhu yu nourish Kidney and Liver Yin, augment the Marrow and secure the Jing-essence, as in Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, following the Zhang Jiebin’s saying: “assist the Yang from within the Yin.” Shu di huang also aids the Kidneys to grasp the Qi upon inhalation. Dang gui, Bai shao, and Gou qi zi, tonify the Blood, Yin and replenish the Jing-essence. Dang gui and Bai shao also nourish the sinews to release cramping and tightness from the tendons, while Gou qi zi brightens the eyes to mitigate some of the effects of aging.
Combinations: For more frequent waking due to nighttime urination, combine with Sang Piao Xiao Wan or Jin Suo Gu Jin Wan. For more pronounced lower back weakness and occasional pain, combine with Yao Tong Pian. For persistent Spleen and Kidney Yang deficient bowel issues, combine with Li Zhong Wan.
References:
- The Clinical Manual of Chinese Herbal Patent Medicines, 3rd Edition, by Will Maclean with Kathryn Taylor, Pangolin Press, 2016.
- Chinese Herbal Medicine – Materia Medica, 3nd Edition, by Dan Bensky, Steven Clavey and Erich Stoger, with Gamble, Eastland Press, 2004.
- Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, by John Chen & Tina Chen, Art of Medicine Press, 2004.
- 160 Essential Chinese Herbal Patent Medicines, by Bob Flaws, Blue Poppy Press, 1999.
- Chinese Patent Medicines, A Beginner’s Guide, by Mark Taylor, Global Eyes International Press, 1998.
About the Author
Laura Stropes, L.Ac. is a licensed practitioner of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine with a great love of Chinese herbology. She has been in practice since 1998. She has a passion for helping people on their path to achieve balance and wellness. She is a Fellow of the Acupuncture & TCM Board of Reproductive Medicine (ABORM), and specializes in women's health, in helping women, men, and couples optimize fertility, and supporting healthy pregnancies. She also has a strong focus on treating problems that negatively impact everyday health and well-being (sleep, digestion, stress level, pain). Laura worked at Mayway from 1999-2019 as an herbal consultant and project manager. Laura’s projects included the initial Mayway website in 2004 and website redesign in 2012, the Herb ID Kit recreation in 2009, and she coauthored the book “A Practitioner’s Formula Guide: Plum Flower & Minshan Formulas” - Wrinkle, Stropes & Potts, published in 2008. She also worked on product research and development, writing articles, and consulting services for other acupuncturists, chiropractors, veterinarians and medical doctors in choosing suitable TCM herbal treatments for their patients. Laura can be reached at: laura@laurastropes.com.
