INDIVIDUAL HERBS
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Herba Epimedii |
| Common English: | Epimedium Horny Goat Weed Leaf |
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
Acrid Sweet |
Warm |
Kidney Liver |
3-15g Tincture: 2-4ml |
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Tonifies the Kidneys, strengthens Yang and increases the libido |
Kidney Yang Deficiency with impotence, infertility, urinary frequency, forgetfulness, withdrawal and painful, Cold lower back and knees |
Dispels Wind-Cold-Dampness and warms and unblocks the flow of Yang Qi (strengthens the sinews and bones) |
Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with spasms, or cramps in the hands and feet, joint pain and numbness in the extremities Contractures, numbness or hemiplegia following Wind-Stroke |
CONTRAINDICATIONS |
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INCOMPATIBILITIES |
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
Rx. Dioscoreae |
Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata |
|
Enhances its functions. |
Impotence with a cold lower back and legs due to Kidney Yang Deficiency. |
Menopausal symptoms; e.g. pale face, low back pain, nocturia, menstrual irregularity, dizziness due to Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency with Liver Yang Rising. Liver Yang Rising symptoms in men. |
Fr. Schisandrae |
Hb. Taxilli |
|
Deficient Kidney impotence and infertility. |
Painful obstructions - especially paralysis and pain of the lower extremities or muscular contractions and numbness of the extremities. |
Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with joint pain and difficult movement. |
Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata |
Fr. Corni |
|
Myelanalosis or myelitis with weakness of the lower extremities or lower body and paralysis with urinary and bowel incontinence. |
As a tincture (soak Yin Yang Huo in grain-based liquor) or pill for impotence. |
Post-stroke hemiplegia. |
Rz. Curculiginis |
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Accentuates the effects of the herb. Menopausal hypertension. Chills, impotence with cold sperm, cold extremities and infertility. |
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- Strong and fast acting, it shows effects shortly after use.
- Often used with Rz. Curculiginis Xian Mao.
- It relieves inflammation.
- It is main component for treatment of menopausal hypertension.
- It counteracts immune suppressing effects of prednisone.
- It is useful for sports injuries with spasms or fractures.
- its edges are highly toxic so are trimmed off.
- Some sources say that it resolves Phlegm and stops wheezing.
- It can be used as a wash for sores around the genitals. For chronic numbness and pain in the extremities, soak this herb in grain-based liquor for at least four months, then drink a small amount of the tincture daily.
- This herb is an essential herb in many longevity formulas from China's past.
- It tonifies the Du and Yin Qiao channels.
- It is known to assist memory and resolve and treat old-age confusion and middle-age forgetfulness.
- Some sources say that this herb tonifies Yin and Yang and restrains Ascendant Liver Yang to treat Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency with Liver Yang Rising.
- Yin Yang Huo, Rz. Curculiginis Xian Mao and Rx. Morindae Ba Ji Tian all reinforce the Kidney Yang, strengthen the sinews and bones and expel Wind-Dampness. Xian Mao is the hottest and most acrid and strongly expels Cold-Dampness but its slight toxicity makes it appropriate only for short term use. Ba Ji Tian is acrid, sweet and only slightly warming with a soft, moistening quality that tonifies Yang without being overly dry or cloying. It also augment Jing. Yin Yang Huo is warmer and more markedly strengthens Ming Men Fire, while strongly dispersing Wind-Dampness and unblocking Bi.
- Dry-fried Epimedium Chao Yin Yang Huo has an enhanced ability to tonify Yang and expel Wind-Dampness.
- Wine-fried Epimedium Jiu Chao Yin Yang Huo has an enhanced ability to expel Wind-Dampness.
- Prepared Epimedium Zhi Yin Yang Huo has an enhanced ability to warm Kidney Yang without injuring the Yin.