Zuo Gui Yin
Star左归饮 (Restore the Left [Kidney] Decoction)
Source: Jing Yue Quan Shu — Zhang Jie-Bin (Zhang Jing-Yue) (Ming, 1624)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Zuo Gui Yin (Restore the Left [Kidney] Decoction), from the Jing Yue Quan Shu (Collected Treatises of [Zhang] Jing Yue) by Zhang Jie-Bin (Zhang Jing-Yue) — a variation of Zuo Gui Wan.
Actions: Tonifies and benefits Kidney yin.
Presentation: Soreness of the lower back, seminal emissions and/or spermatorrhea, night sweats, a dry mouth and throat, thirst with desire to drink, a red tongue body with a mirror-like appearance, and a fine, rapid pulse.
Source: Chen JK, Chen TT. Chinese Herbal Formulas and Applications: Pharmacological Effects & Clinical Research. Art of Medicine Press, 2009, p. 647.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Shu Di Huang
as printed: Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata) 6-60g [9g]
|
9g | 26.09% | — | |
|
Shan Yao
as printed: Shan Yao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae) 6g
|
6g | 17.39% | — | |
|
Gou Qi Zi
as printed: Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii) 6g
|
6g | 17.39% | — | |
|
Gan Cao
as printed: Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata cum Melle) 3g
|
3g | 8.7% | — | |
|
Fu Ling
as printed: Fu Ling (Poria) 4.5g
|
4.5g | 13.04% | — | |
|
Shan Zhu Yu
as printed: Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni) 3-6g [6g]
|
6g | 17.39% | — |
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 (+0.43)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: neutral 56%, warm 44%.
Taste
- sweet 76%
- sour 17%
- bland 7%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Kidney 91%
- Liver 61%
- Lung 56%
- Spleen 39%
- Heart 22%
- Stomach 9%
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
Source: decoct in two bowls of water down to 70%, take between meals. Today decoct using bracketed doses.
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Formula family
Full herb lists
- Jia Wei Zuo Gui Wan = this formula + Huang Jing, Mo Han Lian, Niu Xi, Nu Zhen Zi, Sang Shen and Tu Si Zi
Each entry reads as the larger formula written out: “+” adds its other catalogue cores, then the herbs none of them hold. 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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