Nei Bu Wan — Internal Tonification Pill

On this page

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

Overview

Nei Bu Wan — the “Internal Tonification Pill” — is from the Song-dynasty Nu Ke Bai Wen. It is a focused Kidney Yang and Essence tonic designed for female reproductive Yang deficiency: thin clear leucorrhoea, cold lower abdomen, weak knees and back, low libido, irregular cycles with light flow and infertility from cold-deficient pattern. Where formulas like Wen Jing Tang emphasise warming Blood and channels, Nei Bu Wan emphasises tonifying Kidney Essence at the source.

I prescribe Nei Bu Wan as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Nei Bu Wan is prescribed for Kidney Yang and Essence deficiency in women:

• Thin watery clear leucorrhoea, possibly continuous
• Cold lower abdomen, cold sensation in genitals
• Weak sore lumbar region and knees
• Low libido
• Light or scanty menstrual flow, late or irregular cycles
• Cold extremities, pale complexion
• Frequent clear urination
• Tongue — pale, white moist coat
• Pulse — deep, weak in chi position

Key herbs

1. Lu Rong (deer antler velvet, ethically harvested cultivated source) or Lu Jiao Jiao — chief; tonifies Kidney Yang and Essence; strongly nourishes Blood and reproductive function
2. Tu Si Zi — tonifies Kidney Yang and Essence; secures Essence
3. Rou Cong Rong, Ba Ji Tian — tonify Kidney Yang
4. Huang Qi — tonifies Qi
5. Bai Shao, Dang Gui, Shu Di Huang — nourish Blood and Yin (balance the warming herbs)
6. Sang Piao Xiao — secures Essence; consolidates urination
7. Zi Wan — warms the Lung-Kidney axis

Formula actions

1. Tonifies Kidney Yang and Essence
2. Nourishes Blood and Yin
3. Secures Essence; consolidates leucorrhoea
4. Restores female reproductive function

Conditions treated

1. Cold-uterus infertility — see fertility
2. Recurrent pregnancy loss with Kidney Yang deficiency — see recurrent miscarriage
3. Chronic clear watery leucorrhoea from Kidney Yang deficiency
4. Premature ovarian insufficiency with cold-deficient pattern
5. Hypoplasia of uterus or thin endometrium with Yang deficiency
6. Low libido with cold-deficient pattern
7. Post-menopausal urogenital atrophy with Yang deficiency

Cautions

Use Lu Rong from ethically harvested cultivated deer sources; cultivated deer antler is not endangered and is harvested non-lethally.

Not appropriate for Yin-deficient Heat patterns, Damp-Heat leucorrhoea (yellow, foul-smelling) or Liver Fire — the warming herbs aggravate Heat.

Persistent leucorrhoea, abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain or signs of infection need medical assessment.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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