Di Huang Yin Zi — Rehmannia Drink

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

Di Huang Yin Zi — the “Rehmannia Drink” — is from Liu Wansu’s Jin-dynasty Xuan Ming Lun Fang. It addresses the classical syndrome called “hidden wind” (yin fei) — the post-stroke pattern of severe Kidney Yin-Yang depletion with Phlegm misting the orifices, presenting as: speech difficulty or aphasia, weakness or paralysis of the lower limbs, mental dullness, lower back ache, cold extremities. It is the principal formula for post-stroke recovery with cognitive and speech sequelae, and the prototype TCM formula for vascular dementia with deep Kidney involvement.

I prescribe Di Huang Yin Zi as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Di Huang Yin Zi is prescribed for Kidney Yin-Yang depletion with Phlegm misting the orifices:

• Post-stroke aphasia or dysarthria
• Weakness or paralysis of lower limbs
• Mental dullness, memory loss
• Lower back ache, weak knees
• Cold extremities alongside dry mouth (mixed Yin-Yang deficiency)
• Possible difficulty swallowing
• Tongue — pale or red with thin coat
• Pulse — deep, thin, weak in chi position

Key herbs

1. Shu Di Huang (Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata, 12–15g) — chief; nourishes Kidney Yin and Essence
2. Shan Zhu Yu (Fr. Corni, 6–12g) — tonifies Liver-Kidney; astringes Essence
3. Rou Cong Rong (Hb. Cistanches, 6–12g) — tonifies Kidney Yang; moistens intestines
4. Ba Ji Tian (Rx. Morindae Officinalis, 6–12g) — tonifies Kidney Yang
5. Fu Zi (Rx. Aconiti Lateralis Preparata, 3–6g) — warms Kidney Yang; restores Ming Men fire
6. Rou Gui (Cx. Cinnamomi, 1.5–3g) — warms Kidney Yang
7. Shi Hu (Hb. Dendrobii, 6–12g), Mai Men Dong (Tb. Ophiopogonis, 6–12g), Wu Wei Zi (Fr. Schisandrae, 3–6g) — nourish Yin
8. Shi Chang Pu (Rz. Acori Tatarinowii, 3–6g), Yuan Zhi (Rx. Polygalae, 3–6g) — open orifices; clear Phlegm; restore mental clarity
9. Fu Ling (Poria, 6–12g) — resolves Damp; calms Shen

Formula actions

1. Tonifies Kidney Yin and Yang simultaneously
2. Opens orifices and resolves Phlegm misting the Heart
3. Restores speech and cognitive function
4. Strengthens lower limbs

Conditions treated

1. Post-stroke aphasia and dysarthria
2. Post-stroke lower-limb weakness
3. Vascular dementia with Kidney-deficient pattern
4. Mild cognitive impairment with Kidney depletion
5. Alzheimer’s disease with Yin-Yang depletion pattern (adjunctive)
6. Multiple sclerosis with lower-limb weakness and deep deficiency
7. Severe diabetic neuropathy with Kidney depletion

Cautions

Contains Fu Zi — must use pharmaceutical-grade processed Fu Zi only. Pregnancy and severe hypertension are contraindications.

For longer-term constitutional treatment; gradual improvement over months. Not appropriate for acute stroke (call 999) — for the recovery and chronic phases only.

Not appropriate for excess patterns, Phlegm-Heat or Liver-Wind acute presentations.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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