When it comes to tonifying the kidneys for kidney deficiency, many people immediately think of Liuwei Dihuang Pills. However, is Liuwei Dihuang Pills the only effective remedy for kidney deficiency? The answer is certainly no. Liuwei Dihuang Pills are only suitable for treating kidney yin deficiency, and if used by patients with kidney yang deficiency, it will only lead to further deficiency.
There are many members of the Dihuang family, known as the “Seven Brothers of Dihuang.” Liuwei Dihuang Pills are just the basic formula of the Dihuang Pills family, and a series of Dihuang Pills are derived from this formula with modifications. It is essential to have a good grasp of the composition, functions, and compatibility significance of Liuwei Dihuang Pills to make the selection of Dihuang Pills more efficient. Today, let’s explore the differences among the “Seven Brothers of Dihuang” and their specific indications.
1. Liuwei Dihuang Pills
Liuwei Dihuang Pills consist of three tonifying herbs: Rehmannia Glutinosa (Prepared), Chinese Yam, and Cornus Officinalis, and three purging herbs: Alisma, Poria, and Moutan Cortex. This formula tonifies the liver, spleen, and kidneys while focusing on kidney tonification, and it is suitable for kidney yin deficiency.
As the eldest of the seven brothers, Liuwei Dihuang Pills mainly nourish yin and tonify the kidneys, used for symptoms such as kidney yin deficiency, dizziness, tinnitus, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, sensations of heat in the bones, and night sweats with spermatorrhea.
If there are symptoms of aversion to cold, cold limbs, nocturnal diarrhea, and mental fatigue due to kidney yang deficiency, using Liuwei Dihuang Pills will exacerbate the condition. Therefore, before recommending or using Liuwei Dihuang Pills, it is crucial to differentiate between yin and yang rather than blindly following the advertising slogan “Treat kidney deficiency with Liuwei Dihuang Pills.”
2. Guishao Dihuang Pills
If patients have symptoms of both kidney yin deficiency and blood deficiency, Guishao Dihuang Pills are required.
Guishao Dihuang Pills are an enhancement of Liuwei Dihuang Pills with the additions of Angelica Sinensis and Paeonia lactiflora, which tonify liver and kidneys while nourishing yin and blood. It can be used for liver and kidney deficiency with blood deficiency, dizziness, vertigo, dry throat, afternoon heat, soreness in the lower back and legs, among other symptoms.
It is important to note that Guishao Dihuang Pills are highly effective for heel pain.
3. Maiwei Dihuang Pills
Maiwei Dihuang Pills are an adaptation of Liuwei Dihuang Pills with the addition of Ophiopogon and Schisandra Chinensis.
Ophiopogon primarily nourishes yin, moistens the lung, while Schisandra Chinensis tonifies the kidneys, generates fluids, moistens the lung. Therefore, Maiwei Dihuang Pills not only tonify kidney yin but also nurture lung yin, suitable for patients with lung and kidney yin deficiency.
These patients mainly present with symptoms such as heat sensations, night sweats, dizziness, tinnitus, soreness in the lower back and knees, and dry throat.
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