bubble_chart Composition

Dongqingzi (also known as Nüzhenzi, harvested on the winter solstice, any quantity, dried in the shade, steamed with honey wine, left overnight, peeled by rubbing in a coarse bag, dried in the sun, ground into powder, stored in a bottle, or first dried by boiling, and then combined with Eclipta paste as needed) Eclipta (harvested on the summer solstice, any quantity, mashed into juice and simmered into a paste, combined with the previous ingredients to form pills).

bubble_chart Preparation and Dosage

Ligustrum lucidum is used in an unspecified quantity, steamed until cooked, then dried in the shade, finely ground, and sieved to remove impurities. Eclipta prostrata is boiled in water three times, and the resulting liquid is concentrated into a flowing extract. An appropriate amount of honey is added and mixed well. Alternatively, dried mulberries can be mixed with Eclipta prostrata and boiled together, then concentrated into a paste as described above, with an appropriate amount of honey added and mixed well. The powdered Ligustrum lucidum is then mixed in and formed into pills, each weighing approximately 15g, and stored in a glass jar for use. Take one pill in the morning and one in the evening, swallowed with warm water. Alternatively, administer with wine before sleep.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Nourishing the kidneys.

bubble_chart Indications

Liver-kidney yin deficiency, bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, dizziness, blurred vision, insomnia with excessive dreaming, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, wilting and limpness in the lower limbs, seminal emission, and premature graying of hair.

bubble_chart Formula Principles

The name "Erzhi" is derived from the optimal harvesting times of its two main ingredients: glossy privet fruit, which is best collected on the Winter Solstice (the 22nd solar term), and yerbadetajo herb, which is ideally harvested on the Summer Solstice (the 10th solar term). Hence, the formula is named "Erzhi." In the formula, glossy privet fruit, with its sweet-bitter and cool nature, excels at nourishing water to moisten the yin of wood. Yerbadetajo herb, with its sweet-sour and cold properties, nourishes the yin of the liver and kidneys while also cooling the blood and stopping bleeding. Both medicinal properties are mild, nourishing the liver and kidneys without causing greasiness, thus forming a balanced tonic for the liver and kidneys. When dried mulberry fruit is added to the formula, it enhances the ability to enrich yin and replenish blood. Combined, these ingredients work together to nourish water to moisten wood, enrich yin, and stop bleeding.

bubble_chart Formula Modification

Adding mulberry fruit not only enhances the effects of enriching yin and replenishing blood, but can also be combined with Barbary Wolfberry Fruit, maintaining the principle of balanced supplementation.

bubble_chart Documentation

Yifang Jijie: This is a medicine for the Shaoyin meridian. Nüzhen (ligustrum lucidum) is sweet and neutral, representing the essence of Shaoyin. It remains green and black in winter, benefiting the liver and tonifying the kidneys. Hanlian (eclipta prostrata) is sweet and cold, with black juice that enters the kidneys to nourish essence. Thus, it benefits the lower body and nourishes the upper body, strengthens yin, and darkens hair.

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

Deficiency-cold of spleen and stomach, those with loose stools should avoid.

bubble_chart Modern Application

1. This formula is a mild tonic for the liver and kidneys. The key points for clinical application are mild liver and kidney deficiency, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, vertigo, tinnitus, premature graying of hair, a red tongue with scant coating, and a slightly thin pulse.
2. It is commonly used in modern times for conditions such as neurasthenia and menstrual disorders in women, which are attributed to liver-kidney yin deficiency.