When cold settles deep in the body
Marked sensitivity to cold, cold hands and feet, a lower back and knees that feel the cold and fatigue, a lack of drive, a pale complexion, a need for warmth to feel well… In TCM, these signs may be associated with Kidney Yang Deficiency. According to tradition, the Kidney houses the Ming Men, the “Gate of Life”, the hearth of the fire that warms the whole body; when this fire weakens, cold spreads and drive fades.
You Gui Wan is the work of Zhang Jingyue (张景岳), under the Ming dynasty. It appeared in 1624 in the Jing Yue Quan Shu (《景岳全书》), as a counterpart to Zuo Gui Wan. Its name, “Restore the Right Pill”, refers to the right Kidney, which tradition associates with the Ming Men and with Yang. Zhang Jingyue built it from Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan: he removed water plantain, tree peony and poria, and added herbs that nourish the Essence.
Seeking Yang within Yin
Zhang Jingyue’s phrase that underpins the formula is one of the most quoted in the tradition: whoever knows how to supplement Yang seeks Yang within Yin (善补阳者，必于阴中求阳). You cannot rekindle a fire without fuel: prepared rehmannia, the most dosed herb, and its companions provide the Yin and Essence from which Yang can be reborn, while cinnamon, dodder and eucommia revive the warmth.
Tonifies Kidney Yang: Dodder and eucommia support Kidney Yang, and cinnamon keeps the fire of the Ming Men burning.
Strengthens the Jing: Prepared rehmannia, cornelian cherry, Chinese yam and goji nourish the Essence that the Kidney stores, so that warmth has something to rest on.
Gently warms the body: Hot and fragrant, cinnamon, according to tradition, brings Yang back to its source; Chinese angelica nourishes the Blood that carries this warmth throughout the body.
