Herbs that Tonify Yin

Question 1

shā shēn

Answer 1

shā shēn

glehniae radix

Temp: slightly cold 

Taste: sweet, slightly bitter 


Channels: LU, St

Dosage 9 - 15 g

1. tonifies Lung yin

• for dry cough with bloody sputum

2. tonifies Stomach yin

• for dry mouth, thirst, dry heaving, etc

Sha Shen is also called Bei Sha Shen (northern Sha Shen).

The southern variety is called Nan Sha Shen (adenophorae radix). Nan Sha Shen is weaker at tonifying yin, but stronger at treating cough and phlegm.

Question 2

mài mén dōng

Answer 2

Ophiopogonis Radix

temp: slightly cold

Taste: Sweet, slightly bitter

Channels: Heart, Lung, Stomach

Dosage: 6 - 15 g

1. Tonifies Lung Yin - for dry cough
2. tonifies Stomach Yin - dry mouth, thirst, dry heaving
3. Clears Heart heat - irritability, insomnia, mouth sores, urination problems
4. Moistens the Large Intestine to treat constipation - for constipation due to deficient fluids (Lu-LI)

Question 3

xī yáng shēn

Answer 3

xī yáng shēn

Panacis quinqufolii radix

American Ginseng Root

Temp: cold 

Taste: sweet, slightly bitter 

Channels: HT, KI, LU 

Dosage: 3-6g

1. tonifies qi

2. tonifies yin

• generates body fluids, nourishes Yin
• clears fire from yin deficiency (nourishes lung yin and clears Fire from the Lung)

Xi Yang Shen differs from Ren Shen in the following ways:

Xi Yang Shen is weaker at tonifying qi

Xi Yang Shen is stronger at tonifying yin body fluids

Xi Yang Shen is colder than Ren Shen, and it will not cause heat or dryness if used long term.

Question 4

tiān mén dōng

Answer 4

tiān mén dōng

asparagi radix

Asparagus Tuber

Temp: very cold 

Taste: sweet, bitter 

Channels: KI, LU

Dosage - 6 - 12 g

1. tonifies Lung and Stomach yin

• dry mouth, cough, wasting and thirsting

2. tonifies Kidney yin

• very mild?

From Phoenix:

• nourishes kidney yin
• clears lung heat and sedates fire
• moistens the lung
• nourishes the kidneys
• generates fluids
• resolves phlegm

Question 5

shí hú

Answer 5

shí hú

dendrobii herba

Temp: slighly cold 

Taste: sweet, slightly salty, bland 


Channels: KI, ST 


Dosage: 6-12g

1. tonifies Lung and Stomach yin

• esp for Stomach yin deficiency

2. tonifies Kidney yin
   - clears deficiency heat
   - esp. for vision problems

Question 6

yù zhú

Answer 6

yù zhú

polygonati odorati rhizoma

Temp: slightly cold 


Taste: sweet 


Channels: LU, ST 


Dosage: 6-15g

1. tonifies Lung and Stomach yin
2. extinguishes wind due to yin deficiency

softens and moistens the sinews

also for external wind-heat with yin deficiency constitution

Yu Zhu is special because it is not sticky or cloying.
Yu Zhu becomes rancid easily, so it is best to refrigerate it.

Question 7

bǎi hé

Answer 7

bǎi hé

lilii bulbus

Temp: slightly cold 

Taste: sweet, slightly bitter 


Channels: HT, LU 

Dosage: 9-30g

1. tonifies Lung and Stomach yin

• esp. Lung yin; for cough and sore throat

2. calms shen

• clears Heart heat to calm shen
• tonifies blood to calm shen

Question 8

mò hàn lián

Answer 8

mò hàn lián

ecliptae herba

Temp: cool 

Taste: sweet, sour 

Channels: KI, LV 


Dosage: 9-15g

1. tonifies Liver and Kidney yin
2. cools blood and stops bleeding

Mo Han Lian and Nu Zhen Zi are paired herbs and are often used together (Er Zhi Wan). Both are not sticky or cloying, and are especially good for treating OB/GYN conditions.

Mo Han Lian is traditionally picked at the summer solstice.

Question 9

nǔ zhēn zǐ

Answer 9

nǔ zhēn zǐ

ligustri lucidi fructus

Temp: cool 

Taste: bitter, sweet 

Channels: KI, LV 


Dosage: 9-18g

1. tonifies Liver and Kidney yin
   * brightens the eyes

• Mo Han Lian and Nu Zhen Zi are paired herbs and are often used together (Er Zhi Wan). Both are not sticky or cloying, and are especially good for treating OB/GYN conditions.
• Nu Zhen Zi is traditionally picked at the winter solstice.

Question 10

hēi zhī má

Answer 10

hēi zhī má

sesami semen nigrum

Black sesame seeds

Temp: neutral 

Taste: sweet 

Channels: KI, LV, LI

Dosage: 9-30g

1. tonifies Liver and Kidney yin

• darkens hair
• smoothes wrinkles
• promotes longevity
• • 2. tonifies blood and extinguishes wind

• for headaches, dizziness, numbness, moving bi syndrome

3. moistens Large Intestine

Used only in food therapy, never in decoction