Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Star八味地黄丸 (Eight-Ingredient Pill)
Source: Jin Gui Yao Lue — Zhang Zhongjing (Han, 220)
Last updated August 30, 2026
Description
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan (Eight-Ingredient Pill), also known as Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill), is the foundational formula for warming Kidney Yang. It builds Liu Wei Di Huang Wan's Yin-nourishing base with Gui Zhi and Zhi Fu Zi to activate Kidney Yang's warming, transforming, and steaming functions. A small amount of Yang-warming herbs in a large Yin-nourishing base reflects the principle of 'seeking Yang within Yin'.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shu Di Huang | 24g | 29.63% | Jun (Chief) | Nourishes Kidney Yin and Essence as the foundation for Yang transformation. |
| Shan Zhu Yu | 12g | 14.81% | Chen (Deputy) | Nourishes Liver and Kidney, astringes Essence. |
| Shan Yao | 12g | 14.81% | Chen (Deputy) | Tonifies Spleen, generates postnatal Essence. |
| Zhi Fu Zi | 3g | 3.7% | Zuo (Assistant) | Warms and activates Kidney Yang, dispels deep Cold. |
| Rou Gui | 3g | 3.7% | Zuo (Assistant) | Warms Kidney Yang, unblocks channels, guides fire back to its source. |
| Ze Xie | 9g | 11.11% | Zuo (Assistant) | Drains turbidity, prevents stagnation. |
| Mu Dan Pi | 9g | 11.11% | Zuo (Assistant) | Clears heat, balances warming herbs. |
| Fu Ling | 9g | 11.11% | Zuo (Assistant) | Drains dampness, supports Spleen. |
Total weight: 87g
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net slightly warm (+0.26)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 11%, cool 11%, neutral 26%, warm 44%, hot 7%.
Small but decisive: Zhi Fu Zi 3g (hot, 4% of the grams), Rou Gui 3g (hot, 4% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- pungent 9%
- sweet 59%
- sour 15%
- bitter 6%
- bland 11%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Kidney 100%
- Liver 59%
- Spleen 33%
- Heart 30%
- Lung 26%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
Honey pills or decoction. Decoct gently 30–40 minutes. Take warm in 2 doses/day.
Dosage
6–9g honey pills twice daily on empty stomach. Avoid if heat signs are present.
Conditions Addressed
Relationships
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Formula family
A catalogue formula counts as a core only when at least 80% of its herbs are present, no more than 1 is absent, and the absent herb is not its chief.
Formula Network
Formulas that share herbs with this one — the closer to the centre, the stronger the match. Click a node to explore.
Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
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