Yin Yang Huo - 淫羊藿 - (Xian Ling Pi) - Herba Epimedii
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Herba Epimedii |
| Common English: | Epimedium Horny Goat Weed Leaf |
Category
Yang TonicsProperties
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
| Acrid Sweet | Warm | Kidney Liver | 3-15g Tincture: 2-4ml 3-9g (Secondary source) |
Actions And Indications
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Tonifies the Kidneys, strengthens Yang and increases the libido | Kidney Yang Deficiency with impotence, infertility, urinary frequency, forgetfulness, withdrawal and painful, Cold lower back and knees |
Dispels Wind-Cold-Dampness and warms and unblocks the flow of Yang Qi (strengthens the sinews and bones) | Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with spasms, or cramps in the hands and feet, joint pain and numbness in the extremities Contractures, numbness or hemiplegia following Wind-Stroke |
Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions
| CONTRAINDICATIONS |
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| INCOMPATIBILITIES |
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| HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
Major Combinations
| Rx. Dioscoreae | Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata | Rz. Curculiginis |
Enhances its functions. | Impotence with a cold lower back and legs due to Kidney Yang Deficiency. | Menopausal symptoms; e.g. pale face, low back pain, nocturia, menstrual irregularity, dizziness due to Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency with Liver Yang Rising. Liver Yang Rising symptoms in men. |
| Fr. Schisandrae | Hb. Taxilli | Rz. seu Rx. Notopterygii |
Deficient Kidney impotence and infertility. | Painful obstructions - especially paralysis and pain of the lower extremities or muscular contractions and numbness of the extremities. | Wind-Cold-Damp Bi with joint pain and difficult movement. |
| Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata | Fr. Corni | Rx. Saposhnikoviae |
Myelanalosis or myelitis with weakness of the lower extremities or lower body and paralysis with urinary and bowel incontinence. | As a tincture (soak Yin Yang Huo in grain-based liquor) or pill for impotence. | Post-stroke hemiplegia. |
Rz. Curculiginis | ||
Accentuates the effects of the herb. Menopausal hypertension. Chills, impotence with cold sperm, cold extremities and infertility. |
Notes
- Its action is strong and rapid, with effects appearing soon after use.
- It is commonly paired with Rz. Curculiginis Xian Mao.
- It reduces inflammation.
- It is a principal component in treating menopausal hypertension.
- It counters the immunosuppressive effects of prednisone.
- Sports injuries involving spasms or fractures can benefit from it.
- Its edges are very toxic and are therefore trimmed away.
- According to some sources, it resolves Phlegm and stops wheezing.
- As a wash, it can be applied to sores around the genitals. For chronic numbness and pain of the extremities, steep the herb in grain-based liquor for at least four months and then take a small amount of the tincture each day.
- It was an essential ingredient in many historical Chinese longevity formulas.
- It tonifies the Du and Yin Qiao channels.
- It is reputed to support memory and to resolve and treat confusion in old age and forgetfulness in middle age.
- Some sources state that it tonifies Yin and Yang and restrains Ascendant Liver Yang, treating Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency with Liver Yang Rising.
- Yin Yang Huo, Rz. Curculiginis Xian Mao and Rx. Morindae Ba Ji Tian each reinforce Kidney Yang, strengthen the sinews and bones and expel Wind-Dampness. Xian Mao is the hottest and most acrid of the three and strongly expels Cold-Dampness, but because it is slightly toxic it suits only short-term use. Ba Ji Tian is acrid, sweet and only mildly warming, with a soft, moistening quality that tonifies Yang without excessive dryness or cloying. It also augments Jing. Yin Yang Huo is warmer and more noticeably strengthens Ming Men Fire, while powerfully dispersing Wind-Dampness and unblocking Bi.
- Dry-fried Epimedium Chao Yin Yang Huo is better at tonifying Yang and expelling Wind-Dampness.
- Wine-fried Epimedium Jiu Chao Yin Yang Huo is better at expelling Wind-Dampness.
- Prepared Epimedium Zhi Yin Yang Huo is better at warming Kidney Yang without harming the Yin.
- As a Dui-Yao pair with Xian Mao, it is used for premature ovarian decline.
From Class
- Wu Ling Zhi, Wei Ling Xian, Xian Ling Pi (Yin Yang Huo): 'Ling' herbs: Wu Ling Zhi clears blood-contaminated ling, Wei Ling Xian phlegm-contaminated; Ling Zhi or Xian Ling Pi (epimedium) affirm who you are. (Yuen)