Strengthen the Root™ Formulae
The “root” refers to Liver and Kidneys (see Nourish the Root and Invigorate the Root™). “Strengthen” refers to tonification of Yang: this formula tonifies Kidney-Yang (a variation of You Gui Wan Tonifying the Right [Kidney] Pill.
Ingredients
Shu Di Huang Radix Rehmanniae preparata
Shan Yao Rhizoma Dioscoreae oppositae
Gou Qi Zi Fructus Lycii
Ba Ji Tian Radix Morindae officinalis
Tu Si Zi Semen Cuscutae
Du Zhong Cortex Eucommiae
Dang Gui Radix Angelicae sinensis
Shan Zhu Yu Fructus Corni
Ren Shen Radix Ginseng
Zhi Mu Rhizoma Anemarrhenae
Zhi Gan Cao Radix Glycyrrhizae preparata
Rou Gui Cortex Cinnamomi
Gui Zhi Ramulus Cinnamomi
Pattern:
Kidney-Yang deficiency, Fire of Ming Men declining, slight Blood deficiency. “Fire of the Gate of Life not nourishing Earth”, “Cold in Lower Burner”.
Action:
Tonify and warm Kidney-Yang, stoke up the Fire of Ming Men, fill the Jing, nourish Blood, strengthen the Will-Power.
Tongue: Pale, wet.
Pulse: Deep and weak, especially in the rear positions. It could also be slow.
Classical Antecedent
You Gui Wan
Differences from Classical Antecedent
Tonify Qi and the Yuan Qi with Ren Shen.
Acupuncture Points
KI-3 Taixi, KI-7 Fuliu, Ren-4 Guanyuan, ST-36 Zusanli, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, BL-23 Shenshu, Du-4 Mingmen, BL-52 Zhishi. All with reinforcing method, moxa should be used.
Explanation
Strengthen the Root™ is a variation of You Gui Wan (Restoring the Right [Kidney] Pill) which tonifies Kidney-Yang. This was chosen in preference to the “Golden Chest Kidney-Qi Pill” as it provides a broader therapeutic range by nourishing Blood (with Gou Qi Zi and Dang Gui) and by strengthening sinews and bones (with Du Zhong).
Ren Shen was added to tonify Qi and strengthen the Yuan Qi, and Zhi Mu to counterbalance the hot nature of most of the herbs. This condition is characterized not only by Kidney-Yang deficiency but also by Jing depletion. Kidney-Jing is the material basis for all the Kidney’s physiological activities. Jing has a Yin aspect and a Yang aspect; in this case, its Yang aspect is deficient.
Severe deficiency of Kidney-Yang implies a weakening of the Fire of Ming Men which, among its many functions, warms the Heart and assists its housing of the Mind (Shen).
From the channels’ perspective, a deficiency of the Fire of Ming Men implies a deficiency of the Governing Vessel (Du Mai) which originates from the space between the Kidneys where the Yuan Qi throbs, flowing through the heart and entering the brain. Thus, by linking Kidneys, Heart and Brain, it connects Jing, the Shen and the Brain, i.e. the three aspects of the Mind.
Strengthen the Root™ can be used for complex conditions characterized by a deficiency of both Kidney-Yang and Kidney-Yin. It should be stressed that this formula should be used only when the deficiency of Kidney-Yang predominates over that of Kidney-Yin and the tongue is therefore definitely pale.
The formula has a hot energy and for a pattern of pronounced Yang deficiency, and secondly that there is not any Heat anywhere in the body. For example, it is quite possible to have Damp-Heat in the Bladder occurring against a background of Kidney-Yang deficiency. In such a case this formula should not be used, and one could consider either combining the formula with Ease the Journey – Yin®, or using Separate Clear and Turbid™ or Clear the Root™ for a few months followed by Strengthen the Root™ once all signs of Damp-Heat have gone.
When to take
Take in the morning (or a higher dose in the morning), ideally with a little, slightly salted, hot water.
Disclaimer
This product is a dietary (food) supplement, as prescribed by a qualified practitioner. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent or cure any disease. Do not take if nursing or pregnant. Not intended to replace a varied diet. Not to be consumed for longer 3 months on a continued basis.