Tonify Yang: Yin Yang Huo

yin yang huo (huo means "bean leaf" because it looks like a bean leaf...apparently)

阴阳霍 herba epimedii

Liver and Kidney

WARM

Sweet and acrid

Yang/Kidney tonification (impotence) and Wind Damp Cold Bi

Another name for this herb is "licentious (or horny) goat weed" because the goats would eat it and get to frolicking good times. This gives a good indication what it is used for. A less sexy name for it is "immortal spirit Spleen."

What is special about this herb, besides its effect on stoking the fire at the gate of vitality, is its ability to disperse wind-damp-cold in painful bi syndrome. Meanwhile, as it drives out the obstructions, it is also repairing the damage done by them (it does go to the liver, after all, which I believe governs the sinews). It's all true! (Bensky said so!)

Summary of functions:

A. Tonifies Kidneys / Fortifies Yang:

1. impotence / infertility
2. frequent urination
3. withdrawal
4. painful cold in lower back and knees

B. Dispels Wind-Damp-Cold / Unblocks the flow of yang qi (note, that it is ACRID)

1. Spasms / Cramps in hands / feet
2. Joint pain / Difficult movement
3. Numbness in extremities
4. Numbness, contraction following wind stroke

Ying Yang Huo is contraindicated in cases of yin deficient fire. It also should not be decocted for a long time -- it can injure the yin (it is very drying -- I encourage you to eat a little piece).

Tonify Yang: Suo Yang

suo yang

锁阳 herba cynomorii songarici

suo = lock
yang = yang

Liver
Large Intestine
Kidney

WARM
Sweet

The functions of Suo Yang are very similar to the functions of Rou Cong Rong. They both warm the yang (or "excite" the yang), while also nourishing the essence and moistening the intestines. Therefore, they are often used together as a superpower combination that assists KD yang while not drying you out. Fine to use if you are constipated.

Suo Yang can also be used as a replacement for Rou Cong Rong -- good to know since Rou Cong Rong is on the CITES list and probably more expensive.

Suo Yang also has some additional functions -- in particular, it travels to the Liver and therefore augments the Liver yin and strengthens sinews (good for traumas).

Suo Yang is grown in the desert, where temperatures fluctuate a great deal between day and night, making it difficult to cultivate. It is also parasitic on other plants. And very phallic looking.

Summary of its functions:

A. Tonify Kidneys / Fortify yang:

1. infertility
2. impotence
3. urinary frequency
4. spermatorrhea
   

B. Nourishes Blood / Augments Essence / Augments Liver Yin / Strengthens Sinews:

1. motor impairment
2. atrophy
3. (FOR STROKE or TRAUMA)

C. Moistens Intestines and Unblocks Bowels

1. Constipation due to Qi and Blood deficiency (but is contraindicated for constipation due to heat)

Suo Yang is contraindicated for KD yin deficient heat, Spleen deficient diarrhea, and constipation due to heat.

Tonify Yang: Rou Cong Rong

rou cong rong

肉苁蓉 herba cistanchis deserticolae

rou = flesh / meat
cong = medicinal herb
rong = hibiscus

SIDE TRACKED THOUGHTS ABOUT DIMINISHED SEXUAL FUNCTION: This is the fleshy stem of the broomrape - whatever that is (and it doesn't sound good). I found this herb on the Internet as a component in a formula called "Passion Rx." And I just realized something about myself - formulas or "medicines" like Viagra really bother me because they are not about healthy living, they seem to be about our culture's eternal fixation with youth, adolescence, and being resistant to change. People aren't going after improved health when they take Viagra. They just want to keep on having sex like a young whipper snapper. Not that anything is innately wrong with that...But sexual function is indeed linked with health. And by ignoring that truth, and simply going for a quick fix, isn't going to lead to greater wellbeing in the long run. Maybe some people aren't concerned with greater wellbeing and I am placing my values on them. Any way, I AM concerned about their well being, because I think it makes a healthier society and culture overall to have physically healthy mature adults who aren't having a break down because they are unable to have sex anymore. Of course, this will happen sometimes...but it seems to be an epidemic, which is scary.

The way Chinese herbs work with sexual function is ultimately a byproduct of improved health. There is a deficiency (in this case yang) and Chinese herbs will address that deficiency, thereby improving health in many aspects. So, improved sexual function ends up being a "side effect" of overall improved health. And that, to me, seems like a more balanced way to go about things. I'm guessing these herbs won't lead to a twenty-four hour erection.

Back to Rou Cong Rong...

Sweet
Salty
Warm

Kidney and Large Intestine

Rou Cong Rong is said to be moist and oily, so while it is tonifying the Kidney yang, it is also working to augment the essence and blood. It treats classic Kidney yang deficient signs and symptoms:

impotence
spermatorrhea
urinary incontinence
post urinary dripping
cold pains in the lower back and knees
infertility due to cold of the womb (WARMS THE WOMB)
excessive uterine bleeding / vaginal discharge due to deficiency

CONSTIPATION: In addition to the yang, essence, and blood augmentation, its oily nature works in the intestines, helping to move stool that is being retained due to dry intestines / insufficient body fluids found commonly in elderly people, or in those with deficient qi and blood. With a large dosage, Rou Cong Rong can be used solo for constipation due to deficient body fluids.

Rou Cong Rong is on the CITES list being in high demand because of its ability to improve sexual function. It seems that we collectively are burning out our yang so much and then looking for a quick fix like Viagra, or requiring yang tonics, such as Rou Cong Rong, which are now quickly disappearing from the wild due to over consumption. It signals the importance of trying to maintain balance in life, to preserve our vital energy so that we can maintain health into old age (including sexual health) and not overly tax our planet of its vital healing plants.

An interesting sidenote, the broomrape family of plants are parasitic and don't produce their own chlorophyll; they wiggle themselves underground, and attach to nearby plants that DO produce chlorophyll. Hence, I imagine, the word "rape" in the name.

Tonify Yang: Dong Chong Xia Cao

dong chong xia cao = winter bug summer herb (or "vegetable caterpillar")

冬虫夏草 cordyceps chinensis

Lung and Kidney

Sweet
Warm

Dosage: 3 - 9 grams

Dong Chong Xia Cao is a bug-eating plant! It is a parasite, growing by way of killing and digesting caterpillar larvae (larvae that would eventually transform into a moth). The actual herb grows inside the now-hollowed-out shell of the larvae, and then extends beyond the shell (the part that looks like a tail is the fungus coming out). So, it's part bug, part fungus.

This herb is also quite expensive because of the most particular way in which it grows. It is a mountainous species that grows only in southwest China. It functions are similar to those of Ge Jie.

Primarily, it is used to augment the kidneys and tonify yang for impotence, and other KD yang deficiency symptoms such as weak lower back and lower extremities.

Secondarily, in tonifying the KD yang, it is also augmenting the Lung yin, and therefore is good for chronic coughs that have blood streaked sputum / phlegm.

Dong Chong Xia Cao tonifies both yang and yin, and therefore is safe for long term use. And long term use just might be necessary - it is slow acting because it is so gentle.

It differs from Gecko in that while Ge Jie helps the Kidney to grasp the lung qi, Dong Chong serves the cough settling function by way of directing rebellious lung qi downward. This tells me that Ge Jie is better for asthma, while Dong Chong Xia Cao would be better for a chronic, consumptive cough.

Caution in those with exterior patterns, because it is fortifying.

As far as being used for sexual function, my guess is that you could compare Lu Rong to viagra--fast and furious success--while Dong Chong Xia Cao might be compared to going on a retreat...slowly helping you to get your groove back through rest, relaxation, and nourishment.

Tonify Yang: Ge Jie

蛤蚧 ge jie

ge = clam
jie = red spotted lizard used in medicine

gecko

NEUTRAL
SALTY

Lung and Kidney

low dosage: 1 - 2 grams

The Gecko is an animal that is farmed or captured and killed for use as a yang tonic. This is less disturbing to me than Lu Rong, because I think the Gecko probably suffers less in the process. Still, as a former vegan, and future acupuncturist, I feel that we should try to solve our problems by way of doing as little harm as possible - to all creatures.

Gecko is also very expensive, but not as pricey as Lu Rong. Being that the prime indication for Ge Jie is asthma (tonifies Lung qi and assists the Kidney yang - when Kidneys are failing to grasp Lung qi), and not impotence, it makes sense that Ge Jie would be cheaper.

Still, through assisting the Kidney yang, and augmenting the essence and blood, Ge Jie can also be used for impotence, and other problems of Kidney yang deficiency, such as daybreak diarrhea and urinary frequency.

Ge Jie is used with Ren Shen for asthma. Ren Shen tonifies the qi, and Ge Jie reinforces the grasping of the qi (because it functions in both the Lung and Kidney meridians).

Ge Jie is contraindicated in external cough.

(on a side note to the cruelty lecture, there is something called "Dui Ge Jie" -- this is "coupled Gecko." In other words the medicine is made from two Geckos murdered while mating, which is said to be the "best medicine for enhancing sexual function.")

Tonify Yang: Lu Rong

lu rong 鹿茸 (cornu parvum cervi) - deer antler

lu = deer
rong = soft downy buds

warm
Liver Kidney
sweet (blood)
salty (bone)

The reason lu rong is such a potent yang tonic is because the antlers that are used are growing from the most yang part of the body, and are filled with blood.

The soft hairs on a deer antler are one of the most, if not THE most, sensitive part of the animal. Used like whiskers, the little hairs let the deer know if something is touching / endangering the new antler growth. Therefore, the budding antlers are sensitive by design. It is said that cutting off the antlers during this budding stage would be akin to cutting off your finger. Some websites say, don't worry about using deer antler! The animal is not killed in the process. However, if the surgery is performed without anesthetic, this is a very cruel process. There is a point when the velvet dries up and "dies" and at this point the deer will rub the velvet off -- it is no longer sensitive to the touch. Fortunately, there are some people who actually do seem to care about the pain the deer undergo during antler removal and studies have been done helping to reveal the most effective anaesthetic. Still, these anaesthetics are hard on the bodies of the deer, and probably? seep into the antler velvet as well, which means if you take this Lu Rong, you will also possibly be ingesting ketamine, or some other powerful drug (this is my guess).

Deer antler velvet is in very high demand and very expensive. If there is one thing humans will pay a lot of money for, it is sex. Lu Rong tonifies the Kidneys and fortifies the yang -- used for impotence, infertility, fatigue, and coldness, primarily.

Warming the yang, Lu Rong regulates the vessels associated with reproduction: the Chong and the Ren and the Girdle Vessel. Because qi is part of yang, Lu Rong is also tonifying the qi and the Du channel. Filled with blood, Lu Rong augments the essence and blood, and it is no surprise it also strengthens the sinews and bones.

Powerful indeed. A summary of its functions:

tonifies kidneys
fortifies and warms yang
augments essence
augments and nourishes blood
tonifies and nourishes qi
regulates penetrating and conception vessels
stabilizes the girdle vessel
tonifies governing vessel
strengthens sinews
strengthens bones
chronic boils and ulcers
coldness
vaginal discharge and bleeding

Because Lu Rong is very warm, it is contraindicated in heat pathologies: yin def. heat, blood heat, lung phlegm-heat, stomach fire, exterior heat pathogen

And no matter how powerful it may be, I think the name says it all: Lu (W)rong! There are other, less hurtful, ways to tonify the yang and assist reproduction.

Herbs that Tonify the Yang

Patterns of yang deficiency are typically linked to the kidneys, spleen, and heart. Since the kidneys are the seat of primal yang, these patterns are typically treated with herbs that address kidney yang deficiency.

Kidney yang deficiency chiefly manifests as systemic exhaustion and feeling cold. Additionally, the following symptoms are seen:

TIRED:
withdrawal into oneself

COLD:
fear of cold
cold extremities

SORE / WEAK:
a sore, weak lower back
sore, weak lower extremities
contraction, stiffness of joints

SEXUAL /REPRODUCTIVE DYSFUNCTION:
impotence, fertility issues
spermatorrhea
watery vaginal discharge

URINARY DIFFICULTIES:
enuresis
polyuria
nocturia
profuse, clear urine

SWEATING:
Spontaneous or profuse sweating

NO THIRST coupled with DAMP ACCUMULATION

BREATHING:
wheezing / weak breathing

DIARRHEA:
daybreak diarrhea

COMPLEXION:
Pale

Tongue: Pale and enlarged
Pulse: Deep & Weak & Slow

In Western language, yang deficiency is akin to adrenal exhaustion, deep depression, and failure to thrive.

THE HERBS:
Because patterns of cold show up with yang deficiency, the herbs treating yang deficiency tend to be warm or hot. Just two in this group of eighteen are neutral (and two are hot) -- all the rest are warm. Therefore, these herbs are contraindicated for fire patterns and yin deficiency (which often comes with an accompanying heat).

Herbs that treat yang deficiency "have an affinity for the heart, spleen, and kidney." That said, I find it curious, and sort of frustrating, that none of the herbs actually go to the heart, and only two go to the spleen. Of the eighteen herbs, all of them do go to the kidney, eleven also go to the liver, four to the lung, three to the large intestine, and two to the spleen. So, that is interesting, and tells me something else is going on with yang deficiency that involves the liver.

The herbs list:

Lu Rong ("deer antler" - expensive) - LIVER, Kidney, WARM

Ge Jie ("clam lizard" - Gecko - expensive) - LUNG, Kidney, NEUTRAL

Dong Chong Xia Cao ("Winter bug summer herb" - Chinese caterpillar fungus - cordyceps - expensive) - LUNG, Kidney, WARM

Ru Cong Rong ("flesh medicine hibiscus" - cistanche -- on CITES list) - LARGE INTESTINE, Kidney, WARM

Suo Yang ("lock yang" or "yang locker" - cynomorium) - LIVER, LARGE INTESTINE, Kidney, WARM

Yin Yang Huo ("horny goat weed") - LIVER, Kidney, WARM

Ba Ji Tian ("greatly desire sword heaven") - KIDNEY ONLY - sl. WARM

(Hu) Lu Lu Ba (fenugreek) - LIVER, Kidney, WARM

Hu Tao Ren ("barbarian peach kernel" - walnut) - LUNG, LARGE INTESTINE, Kidney - WARM

Bu Gu Zhi ("tonify the bone fat" - psoralea fruit) - SPLEEN, Kidney - HOT!

Yi Zhi Ren ("benefit intelligence seed" - alpinia fruit) -SPLEEN, Kidney, WARM

Xian Mao ("immortal grass" - curculigo) - LIVER, Kidney, HOT, TOXIC

Du Zhong ("stop middle brother" - eucommia bark) - LIVER, Kidney, WARM

Xu Duan ("restore the broken" - Himalayan teasel root) - LIVER, Kidney, WARM

Gu Sui Bu ("broken bone mender" - drynaria) - LIVER, Kidney, WARM

Tu Si Zi ("rabbit string seed" - dodder seed - USDA restricted / noxious weed) - LIVER, Kidney, NEUTRAL

Gou Ji ("dog spine" - cibotium - CITES list) - LIVER, Kidney, WARM

Zi He Che ("purple river vehicle" - dried human placenta - illegal in US) - LUNG, LIVER, Kidney, WARM