Xu, Yin - LR

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan

六 味 地 黃 丸

 Rehmannia Six Formula

Function: nourish Liver Kidney Yin & blood

Composition: 

Basic prescription for Kidney and Liver yin deficiency with mild damp.  This can cause dry, flaky, pale red rashes, excess sexual activity, or sweating.  In women it may lead to irregular menses or night sweats and afternoon heat.   T. red, thin yellow coat, or scanty coat.  P: rapid and thin. 

Notes:

This is a classic women's formula, dating back to the 12^th century in China; it is a combination of six herbs commonly used in both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Japanese herbal medicine (Kampo). This formula is classified as enriching the yin and nourishing the kidneys. The traditional concept of the kidneys in TCM is that they nourish marrow and the strength of bones. When the kidney yin fails to nourish and contain the liver energies, fire spreads upward, resulting in hot flashes, night sweats, heat in the palms and chest, spontaneous sweating, headache and sore, hot, dry throat. This condition can go on to create whole body dryness, vaginal dryness, etc. Modern science is starting to verify some of the ancient anecdotal results of using the Rehmannia Six formula. It has been studied recently in China and Japan for its use in treating menopausal problems, and there is some evidence from animal studies that this formula, plus a derivative formula, Rehmannia Eight, may have a positive, preventive effect for osteoporosis as well as the hot flashes of menopause. The preventive effects produced by the traditional Chinese/Kampo medicine Hachimi-jio-gan (Rehmannia Eight), which has two more ingredients than Rokumi-jio-gan (Rehmannia Six), on the progress of bone loss induced by ovariectomy in rats were investigated by studying the bone mineral density of tibia in ovariectomized rats. The results of this study strongly suggest that the gynecological Kampo medicines are as effective as 17 beta-estradiol in preventing the development of bone loss induced by ovariectomy in rats.

In another study, after a relatively long-term injection of hydrocortisone into rats, the strength of bone (anti-stress capacity) reduced evidently, while the rigidity (anti-deformity capacity) increased markedly (i.e., bone fragility elevated). At the same time, the content of serum 25(OH) D3 decreased remarkably. After oral administration of liu wei di huang wan (Rehmannia Six), the anti-stress capability of bone increased evidently and its anti-deformity capability returned to normal; however, there was no elevation of serum 25(OH) D3 content. The experiments suggests that liu wei di huang wan is beneficial to preventing and curing osteoporosis, but no correlation between its mechanism and the metabolism of 25(OH) D3 was demonstrated.

In another study, liu wei di huang wan not only increased plasma estradiol levels but also increased the leucocytic estrogen receptors (ER) levels. The numbers of ER in human peripheral leucocytes in 22 women with climacteric syndrome were measured by radioligand method. The results were compared with those of 12 normal child-bearing aged women and showed that the contents of leucocytic ER in climacteric syndrome patients were significantly lower than those of normal child-bearing aged women. The authors used a Chinese prescription, liu wei di huang wan, to treat the patients for 2 months. The numbers of leucocytic ER were significantly increased after treatment. The data indicate that decrease of ER levels in cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of climacteric syndrome. Liu Wei Di Huang Wan not only increases plasma estradiol levels but also increases the leucocytic ER levels. This may be the basis of the therapeutic effect on the disease.

Reference:

Links

Rxlist
The effect of Liu-Wei-Di-Huang Wan on cytokine gene expression from human peripheral blood lymphocytes.  Jiann-Jong Shen et al.  American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2003

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