Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Star六味地黄丸 (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia)
Source: Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue — Qian Yi (Song, 1119)
Last updated August 30, 2026
Description
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) is the foundational formula for nourishing Kidney Yin in TCM. Using an elegant 'three tonics, three drains' structure, it simultaneously nourishes Kidney, Liver, and Spleen Yin while preventing stagnation. Originally formulated for pediatric Kidney deficiency, it has become one of the most widely used formulas in Chinese medicine for adults with Kidney Yin deficiency patterns.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shu Di Huang | 24g | 32% | Jun (Chief) | Nourishes Kidney Yin, fills Essence and marrow. Primary herb targeting the root of Kidney Yin deficiency. |
| Shan Zhu Yu | 12g | 16% | Chen (Deputy) | Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin, astringes Essence via sour-astringent quality. |
| Shan Yao | 12g | 16% | Chen (Deputy) | Tonifies Spleen Yin, stabilizes Kidney. Supports postnatal Essence generation. |
| Ze Xie | 9g | 12% | Zuo (Assistant) | Drains Kidney turbidity, prevents stagnation from Shu Di Huang's cloying nature. |
| Mu Dan Pi | 9g | 12% | Zuo (Assistant) | Clears deficiency Heat, cools Liver fire, moderates Shan Zhu Yu's astringency. |
| Fu Ling | 9g | 12% | Zuo (Assistant) | Drains Spleen dampness, supports Shan Yao's tonifying action. |
Total weight: 75g
Dui Yao — Core Herb Pairs
The classical two-herb combinations at the heart of this formula, as recorded on the herbs' own pages — each pair has an action neither herb has alone.
Kidney yin is nourished while spleen qi is tonified, supporting the prenatal through the postnatal.
Kidney yin and essence are nourished while the liver is tonified and essence astringed.
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 neutral (+0.12)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 12%, cool 12%, neutral 28%, warm 48%.
Taste
- pungent 6%
- sweet 60%
- sour 16%
- bitter 6%
- bland 12%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Kidney 100%
- Liver 60%
- Lung 28%
- Spleen 28%
- Heart 24%
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
Traditional: grind to fine powder, bind with honey into 6mm pills. Also available as concentrated pills or decoction (decoct 30–40 min, gentle simmer).
Dosage
Honey pills: 6–9g 2–3x/day on empty stomach with warm water. Concentrated pills: 8 pills 3x/day. Decoction: 1 dose/day in 2 servings.
Conditions Addressed
Related Formulas
Relationships
Full-screen graph →Click a node for details · double-click to expand it · Ctrl/⌘ + scroll or two fingers to zoom and pan.
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.
📝 Notes
Public notes from the community and your own private notes on Liu Wei Di Huang Wan.
No notes yet.