Sundance Acupuncture

Herb & Acupuncture Database

(This is my own personal database of teachers, teachings and notes that I use in my practice. I’ve decided to share it freely with anyone who would like to reference it.)

Hu Tao Ren - 胡桃仁 - Semen Juglandis

Pharmaceutical Latin: Semen Juglandis
Common English: English Walnut
Persian Walnut
Walnut

Category

Herbs that Tonify the Yang

Properties

Taste Temperature Entering Meridians Dosage
Sweet Warm Kidney
Large Intestine
Lung
9-30g
Tincture: 2-4ml
9-15g, 9-30g (alone) (Secondary source)

Actions And Indications

Actions Indications/Syndromes

Tonifies the Kidneys, replenishes Jing and
Strengthens the back and knees

Kidney Yang Deficiency with a Cold and painful back and knees and urinary frequency

Kidney Jing Deficiency

Arrests wheezing and helps the Kidneys grasp Qi, Resolves cold Phlegm, Warms and astringes the Lungs

Lung and Kidney Deficiencies with chronic cough and wheezing that worsens with any exertion

Kidney unable to grasp Lung Qi

Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels

Constipation from Deficient Fluids and Blood

Constipation in the elderly

Constipation due to injured Fluids following a febrile disorder

Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Contraindicated for those with Phlegm Fire.
  • Contraindicated for those with Hot cough.
  • Contraindicated for those with Yin Deficiency with Heat signs.
  • Contraindicated for those with watery stool.
  • Do not take with strong tea.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS
  • Hu Tao Ren has anticoagulant and thrombolytic effects and should be used with caution in patients who take anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, enoxaparin (Lovenox), aspirin, dipyridamole (Persantine) and clopidogrel (Plavix)

Major Combinations

Cx. Eucommiae
Du Zhong
Fr. Psoraliae
Bu Gu Zhi

Or

Cx. Eucommiae
Du Zhong
Rx. Dipsaci
Xu Duan

Cx. Eucommiae
Du Zhong
Fr. Psoraliae
Bu Gu Zhi

Hb. Lysimachiae/ Desmodii
Jin Qian Cao
Spora Lygodii
Hai Jin Sha

Rx. Ginseng
Ren Shen
Gecko
Ge Jie

Low back and knee pain and weakness in the legs from Kidney Deficiency.

Back pain associated with Kidney stones.

Wheezing from Deficient Lungs and Kidneys.

Mel
Feng Mi

Mel
Feng Mi

Hb. Epimedii
Yin Yang Huo

Rx. Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui

(Sm. Cannabis)
(Huo Ma Ren)
Hb. Cistanches
Rou Cong Rong

Chronic cough due to Deficiency Cold.

Chronic cough and dyspnea.

Concurrent lower back pain and weak legs from Wind-Damp Bi.

Constipation due to insufficient fluids in the Large Intestine.

Fr. Psoraliae
Bu Gu Zhi

Rx. Polygoni Multiflori
He Shou Wu
Fr. Ligustri Lucidi
Nu Zhen Zi
Rx. Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui

Fr. Lycii
Gou Qi Zi

Low back pain with premature ejaculation, coughing and wheezing due to Kidney Yang Deficiency.

Fortifies Kidney Yang to help it grasp the Qi in treating coughs and wheezing, strengthens the sinews and bones and treats aching of the lower back and knees, impotence and premature ejaculation due to Lower Jiao Cold.

Prematurely gray hair.

Blurred vision.

Hb. Epimedii
Yin Yang Huo

Rx. Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui

Colla Corii Asini
E Jiao
Hb. Cistanches
Rou Cong Rong

Arthritis.

Chronic constipation.

Notes

  1. It is chosen when the Kidneys and the Lung are both affected.
  2. Its action is mild, so it usually plays an assisting role.
  3. According to one source, Walnuts tonify the Qi, nourish the Blood, moisten Dryness, transform Phlegm, strengthen the Ming Men, ease the San Jiao, warm the Lungs and moisten the Intestines, treating Deficiency Cold coughs and heavy, painful low back and feet.
  4. Another source states that it enriches and tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, strengthens the sinews and bones, firms the teeth and darkens the hair.
  5. It is also known as He Tao Ren.

For educational reference only; not a substitute for care from a qualified practitioner.