Chinese Herbal Formulas That Nourish and Tonify Yin

Er Zhi Wan

Two Ultimate Pill

Main Actions for Er Zhi Wan

The functions of this Chinese medicine herbal formula is to tonify the liver and kidneys. The formula is best suited for conditions of liver and kidney yin deficiency with bone and marrow disorders.

Indications and Symptoms for Er Zhi Wan

weakness and soreness of the lower back and knees, atrophy of the lower extremities, dry mouth, dry throat, dizziness, blurred vision, insomnia, dream disturbed sleep, spontaneous emissions, premature graying of hair or loss of hair, bleeding

Tongue – red, dry

Pulse – thin, rapid, frail

Medicinal Ingredients of Er Zhi Wan

Nu Zhen Zi (Fructus Ligustri Lucidi, Privet Fruit, Ligustrum)

-tonify kidneys, nourish liver

Han Lian Cao (Herba Ecliptae Prostratae, Eclipta)

-nourish yin and kidney essence, cools blood and stops bleeding

Preparation Instructions of Er Zhi Wan

According to the Analytic Collection of Medical Formulas, Nu Zhen Zi should be picked during the winter solstice while Han Lian Cao should be picked during the summer solstice. These are the ultimate yin and yang times of the year.

Both herbal ingredients should have equal amounts ground into a powder and formed into pills with honey. This formula has been traditionally taken before going to bed with wine. Today it is taken in 9-15 gram doses 2-3 times per day.

Additional Points on Er Zhi Wan

This herbal formula is commonly used alone or as a modified formula within other formulas to tonify both the liver and kidney yin. Er Zhi Wan is quite similar to that of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) but is not as strong.