Zuo Gui Yin左归饮

Restore the Left (Kidney) Drink

Tonifying 补益剂Tonify Yin 补阴

Ingredients6 herbs

HerbDosageWhat it does in this formula

熟熟地9~30g

山Shan Yao山药Dioscoreae Rhizoma6gTonifies the Spleen so the yin has a source 枸Gou Qi Zi枸杞子Lycii Fructus6gNourishes Liver blood and brightens the eyes

炙Zhi Gan Cao炙甘草Glycyrrhizae Radix Praeparata3gHarmonizes and supports the middle burner

茯Fu Ling茯苓Poria4.5gSupports the Spleen so the rich herbs are absorbed 山Shan Zhu Yu山茱萸畏酸者少用之Corni Fructus3~6gNourishes Liver and Kidney and holds the essence in

Indications

Enriches the true yin of the KidneyNourishes without drainingSecures the essence and relieves deficiency heat

Insufficiency of the true yin, milder in degree than the pattern of Zuo Gui Wan. There is no excess to drain, so the formula only nourishes.

Clinical Manifestations

Aching weak lower back with night sweats
Nocturnal emission or premature ejaculation from yin deficiency
Dry mouth and throat with thirst
Dizziness and tinnitus in early Kidney yin depletion

TongueRed at the tip with scanty coating

PulseThin and rapid

Health Categories

Women's HealthFertility SupportMen's HealthBone & Joint Health

Modern Applications

Perimenopausal symptoms Night sweats Tinnitus Low back pain Male infertility

Common adjustments

Depletion more severe, with wasting — move to Zuo Gui Wan 左归丸
Marked heat from deficiency — add Zhi Mu 知母 and Di Gu Pi 地骨皮
Night sweats prominent — add Mu Li 牡蛎 and Fu Xiao Mai 浮小麦

Contraindications

Not where damp or phlegm is obstructing the middle burner, and not for a poor appetite with loose stool — the rich sweet herbs are hard to digest. Not for yang deficiency with cold limbs.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only — not a self-treatment guide.

Pregnancy

Generally compatible in pregnancy — the composition is nourishing with nothing harsh in it. Use under the guidance of the treating practitioner.

Related Formulas

Zuo Gui Wan左归丸

References

Source Jing Yue Quan Shu 《景岳全书》 · Ming

Classical source as recorded in 《景岳全书》 (public domain).
2. Scheid, Bensky, Ellis & Barolet. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. — composition & dosage cross-checked.
3. 《方剂学》（全国中医药行业高等教育规划教材）— pattern analysis cross-checked.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.