Zuo Gui Wan
Star左归丸 (Restore the Left [Kidney] Pill)
Source: Jing Yue Quan Shu — Zhang Jiebin (Ming, 1624)
Last updated August 30, 2026
Description
Zuo Gui Wan (Restore the Left [Kidney] Pill) is Zhang Jiebin's enriched Kidney Yin tonifying formula — a more intensive approach than Liu Wei Di Huang Wan. It removes the draining herbs from Liu Wei Di Huang Wan and adds more potent Yin and Essence tonics including Lu Jiao Jiao (deer antler glue) and Gui Ban Jiao (tortoise plastron glue). It is indicated for severe Kidney Yin and Essence deficiency.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shu Di Huang | 24g | 22.86% | Jun (Chief) | Strongly enriches Kidney yin and essence |
| Shan Yao | 12g | 11.43% | Chen (Deputy) | Tonifies the Spleen and Kidney, secures essence |
| Gou Qi Zi | 12g | 11.43% | Chen (Deputy) | Nourishes the Liver and Kidney, benefits essence and the eyes |
| Shan Zhu Yu | 12g | 11.43% | Chen (Deputy) | Nourishes the Liver and Kidney, astringes essence |
|
Gui Ban
Dissolve into the strained decoction.
|
12g | 11.43% | Zuo (Assistant) | Nourishes yin and fills essence (yin within yin) |
|
Lu Jiao
Dissolve into the strained decoction.
|
12g | 11.43% | Zuo (Assistant) | Tonifies essence and blood — seeks yin within yang |
| Tu Si Zi | 12g | 11.43% | Zuo (Assistant) | Tonifies the Kidney to reinforce the generation of yin |
| Chuan Niu Xi | 9g | 8.57% | Zuo (Assistant) | Strengthens the lower back and knees, directs the herbs downward |
Total weight: 75g
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 (+0.23)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 11%, neutral 43%, warm 46%.
Taste
- pungent 6%
- sweet 67%
- sour 11%
- bitter 4%
- salty 11%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Kidney 100%
- Liver 89%
- Lung 23%
- Spleen 23%
- Heart 11%
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. Dissolve Lu Jiao Jiao and Gui Ban Jiao separately in warm water and take with the pills, or incorporate into honey pills.
Dosage
Pills: 9g twice daily with warm water. Long-term use is often appropriate for severe deficiency.
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 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 Zuo Gui Wan.
No notes yet.