Shu Di Huang (Chinese Foxglove Root, Steamed with Water or Alcohol, Rehmannia)

Herb 9 of 9 in Herbs that Tonify Blood

Channels:

LIV, KI, (HT)

Properties:

Sweet, Slightly Warm

Latin:

Processed Radix Rehmanniae

Chinese:

熟地黄

Tone Marks:

shú dì huáng

Alt Names:

Shu Di

Translation:

Cooked Earth Yellow

Chinese Herb Actions

• Strongly Nourishes the Blood
  For Blood Deficiency presenting with dizziness, pale or sallow complexion, palpitations, and insomnia. Also for irregular menstruation due to Blood Deficiency.
• Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin
  For Yin Deficiency with weak and aching lower back and knees, tinnitus, dizziness, vertigo, hearing loss, night sweats, tidal fever, 5 palm heat, nocturnal emissions, a weak and rapid pulse, and a peeled tongue coating.
• Tonifies Yin
  This herb is effective at treating Xiao Ke (wasting and thirsting syndrome), especially with frequent or excessive urination. It can be used alone for this purpose.
• Nourishes Jing (Essence) and Fortifies Marrow
  In adults, this herb can be used for premature graying of the hair, impotence, and poor memory. In children, Shu Di Huang can be used to treat developmental and growth disorders.
• Stops Cough and Arrests Wheezing
  Used when symptoms of cough, asthma, shortness of breath, and wheezing are due to Kidney Deficiency and it's inability to grasp the Qi.

Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions

• Shu Di Huang is a rich and cloying herb, and consuption can easily lead to Qi, Blood, and/or Damp Stagnation.
• It should be used to treat conditions of Blood Deficiency and not Blood Stagnation.
• The cloying nature of this herb also disturbs digestion and should not be used with Spleen and/or Stomach Deficiency.
• Do not use with excess Damp, Phlegm, or Qi Stagnation.

Herb-Drug Interactions

• None Noted

Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose

• A single report of a skin reaction has been associated with taking this herb. ¹³
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Chinese Herb Dosage

• 10-30 grams in decoction ¹²
• 9-30 grams ¹³

Chinese Herb Notes

• Shu Di Huang can be charred to enhance its stop bleeding quality.

This Herb Appears in the Following Formulas:

• Ba Zhen Tang (Eight Treasure Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Tonify the Qi and Blood
• Bai He Gu Jin Tang (Lily Bulb Decoction to Preserve the Metal)
  Category: Formulas that Enrich the Yin and Moisten Dryness
• Bu Fei Tang (Tonify the Lungs Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Tonify the Qi
• Da Bu Yin Wan (Great Tonify the Yin Pill)
  Category: Formulas that Nourish and Tonify the Yin
• Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang (Tangkuei and Six Yellow Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Stabilize the Exterior and the Lungs
• Di Huang Yin Zi (Rehmannia Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Extinguish Internal Wind
• Hu Qian Wan (Hidden Tiger Pill)
  Category: Formulas that Nourish and Tonify the Yin
• Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia)
  Category: Formulas that Nourish and Tonify the Yin
• Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (All-Inclusive Great Tonifying Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Tonify the Qi and Blood
• Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Tonify the Blood
• Yang He Tang (Yang Heartening Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Warm the Channels and Disperse Cold
• You Gui Wan (Restore the Right (Kidney) Pill)
  Category: Formulas that Warm and Tonify the Yang
• Yu Nu Jian (Jade Woman Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Clear Heat from the Organs
• Zan Yu Dan (Special Pill to Aid Fertility)
  Category: Formulas that Warm and Tonify the Yang
• Zhu Jing Wan (Preserve Vistas Pill)
  Category: Formulas that Nourish and Tonify the Yin
• Zuo Gui Yin (Restore the Left (Kidney) Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Nourish and Tonify the Yin