Liuwei Dihuang Pill is a famous prescription created by the renowned physician Qian Yi of the Northern Song Dynasty. It was based on the modification of the Kidney Qi Pill from Zhang Zhongjing's "Synopsis of the Golden Chamber" by removing Gui Zhi and Fu Zi. Initially, it was designed for children with "kidneys as the root of deficiency" and was documented in Qian Yi's book "Direct Prescriptions for Pediatric Medicine". Due to its exquisite formulation, which combines tonifying and purging actions, nourishes the center and opens the channels, it is suitable for long-term use. It is also widely used in the treatment of adult diseases, mainly for the symptoms caused by Kidney Yin deficiency, such as sore and weak lower back and knees, dizziness, night sweats, nocturnal emissions, polydipsia, steaming bone syndrome, hot palms and soles, and frequent urination.
Liuwei Dihuang Pill is commonly known as the "tonifying Kidney formula" in folk medicine, and it is often used to treat Kidney Yin deficiency and other conditions. If the clinical diagnosis is accurate and the application is appropriate, Liuwei Dihuang Pill can have remarkable efficacy in treating many diseases. The original prescription has the effects of "tonifying and purging in three aspects", with a focus on tonifying, especially the Kidney Yin. Although there are only six ingredients in the formula, the therapeutic effect of nourishing Yin can vary with flexible modifications. For example, for patients with neurogenic hearing loss, if the clinical symptoms manifest as continuous tinnitus, progressive hearing loss, dizziness, restlessness, insomnia, red tongue with yellow coating, and thin and weak pulse, adding Zhimu, Huang Bai, and Fu Pen Zi to the original formula of Liuwei Dihuang Pill can achieve precise therapeutic effects. In addition, for patients with chronic pharyngitis commonly seen in otolaryngology clinics, induced by excessive fatigue, staying up late, and internal heat, if there are symptoms such as dryness and burning pain in the throat, worsening in the afternoon, dry cough with scanty, sticky sputum, and hot palms and soles, Liuwei Dihuang Pill can be used with the addition of Mai Dong, Wu Wei Zi, and Lu Gen, all of which can achieve good results.
Although Liuwei Dihuang Pill is mild in nature, the prescription mainly focuses on nourishing Kidney Yin. It is not suitable for long-term use in people with Yang deficiency, Qi deficiency, and excessive internal heat.
