Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan: A Traditional Chinese Herbal Remedy for Kidney Health and Essence Retention
Hongji Medical- Feb 2
- 5 min read
Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan, also known as Golden Lock Essence-Securing Pill, is a revered Chinese herbal formula from the Qing Dynasty, documented in Wang Ang’s Medical Prescriptions Collection and Interpretation.
Designed to strengthen the kidneys and prevent semen leakage, it effectively treats spermatorrhea and related issues caused by kidney deficiency. This gentle yet powerful remedy also supports overall vitality and mental calm. This article explores its ingredients, benefits, modern uses, dietary support, and precautions in a clear, approachable way, using common plant names.
Ingredients of Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan
Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan combines five natural ingredients, each contributing to its therapeutic effects:
Ci Ji Li (Tribulus, 60g, fried): Nourishes the kidneys and secures essence.
Qian Shi (Gorgon Fruit, 60g, steamed): Strengthens the spleen and kidneys, preventing semen leakage.
Lian Xu (Lotus Stamen, 60g): Consolidates essence and calms the mind.
Long Gu (Dragon Bone, 30g, fried): Calms the mind and stabilizes essence.
Mu Li (Oyster Shell, 30g, boiled in salt water): Astringes essence and nourishes kidney yin.
Preparation: Traditionally, the ingredients are ground into a powder, mixed with honey to form pills, and taken with warm water. Modern methods may use pre-made pills or decoctions, dosed as prescribed by a practitioner.
How the Herbs Work Together
Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan follows the traditional Chinese medicine principles of monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy:
Ci Ji Li (Tribulus): The primary herb (monarch), it nourishes kidney qi and strengthens the kidney’s ability to retain essence, addressing spermatorrhea.
Qian Shi (Gorgon Fruit) and Lian Xu (Lotus Stamen): Minister herbs, they support Tribulus by reinforcing the spleen and kidneys, consolidating essence, and preventing leakage.
Long Gu (Dragon Bone) and Mu Li (Oyster Shell): Assistant herbs, they stabilize essence, calm the mind, and nourish kidney yin to balance the formula.
Lian Xu (Lotus Stamen): Also an envoy, it guides the formula’s effects to the kidneys and heart, enhancing essence retention and mental calm.
This synergistic blend strengthens the kidneys, secures essence, and promotes emotional well-being.
Effects and Indications
Main Effects:
Strengthens the kidneys to prevent semen leakage.
Consolidates essence to support reproductive health.
Calms the mind to relieve anxiety and insomnia.
Indications:
Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan is used for kidney deficiency leading to essence leakage, with symptoms including:
Spermatorrhea or nocturnal emissions
Lower back pain
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
General fatigue and weakness
Pale tongue with white coating
Weak pulse
Anxiety or insomnia
Leucorrhea in women (due to kidney deficiency)
These symptoms often arise from overexertion, chronic illness, or aging, weakening the kidney’s ability to retain essence.
Benefits of Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan
Prevents Semen Leakage: Strengthens kidney function to treat spermatorrhea.
Boosts Vitality: Relieves fatigue and restores energy.
Supports Reproductive Health: Improves male and female reproductive issues linked to kidney deficiency.
Calms the Mind: Eases anxiety and promotes restful sleep.
Modern Applications
Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan is widely used in modern Chinese medicine for:
Male reproductive health: Treats chronic prostatitis, seminal vesiculitis, and male infertility due to poor sperm quality.
Kidney disorders: Manages proteinuria in chronic nephritis and early diabetic nephropathy.
Women’s health: Addresses leucorrhea, metrorrhagia, postpartum urinary incontinence, and spontaneous sweating.
Neurological conditions: Relieves neurasthenia and supports myasthenia gravis treatment.
Urinary and digestive issues: Treats chyluria, urine leakage in children, and chronic diarrhea.
Its kidney-strengthening and astringent properties make it versatile for both male and female health concerns.
Dietary Support
Pairing Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan with dietary remedies can enhance its effects:
Lotus Seed and Gorgon Fruit Porridge: Cook 30g lotus seeds, 30g gorgon fruit, and 50g glutinous rice into porridge. Eat daily to nourish the spleen and kidneys, preventing essence leakage.
Oyster Soup: Simmer 100g oyster meat with 3 slices of ginger and 2 scallions. Consume daily to nourish yin and consolidate essence.
Tribulus Tea: Steep 10g tribulus with 3g green tea in boiling water for 10 minutes. Drink 2-3 times daily to strengthen kidneys and calm the mind.
These recipes complement the formula’s kidney-nourishing and essence-securing effects, aiding recovery.
Precautions
Use Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan cautiously:
Contraindications: Avoid in cases of spermatorrhea or leucorrhea caused by internal fire or damp-heat in the lower burner. Not suitable for those with heat-related symptoms like fever or yellow tongue coating.
Dietary restrictions: Avoid spicy, greasy, or irritating foods during treatment. Moderate sexual activity to preserve kidney essence.
Side effects: Overuse may cause mild digestive discomfort due to its astringent nature.
Professional guidance: Consult a Chinese medicine practitioner to ensure safe use and avoid drug interactions.
Storage: Keep in a cool, dry, light-proof place. Do not use expired medicine.
If discomfort occurs, stop use and consult a doctor.
Conclusion
Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan is a time-tested Chinese herbal formula that strengthens the kidneys, secures essence, and relieves symptoms like spermatorrhea, fatigue, and anxiety. Its natural ingredients work synergistically to support reproductive health, kidney function, and emotional well-being.
Modern applications extend its use to prostatitis, nephritis, and women’s health issues, showcasing its versatility. With proper use, dietary support, and professional guidance, Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan can restore vitality and improve quality of life for those with kidney deficiency.
Chinese Name | 金鎖固精丸 |
Phonetic | Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan |
English Name | Golden Lock Essence-Securing Pill |
Classification | Astringent formulas |
Source | 《Medical Formulas Collected and Analyzed》Yi Fang Ji Jie《醫方集解》 |
Combination | Astragali Complanati Semen (Sha Yuan Ji Li) 2 liang (60g), Euryales Semen (Qian Shi) 2 liang (60g), Nelumbinis Stamen (Lian Xu) 2 liang (60g), Draconis Os (Duan Long Gu calcined) 1 liang (30g), Ostreae Concha (Duan Mu Li calcined) 1 liang (30g) |
Method | Grind the above medicinals into a fine powder. Mix it together with lian zi powder and shape into pills. 9g of the pills constitutes a dose. One dose is swallowed with slightly salted water on an empty stomach 2-3 times per day. It can also be prepared as a decoction by adjusting the medicinal quantities based on the original ratios. Add a proper amount of lian zi into the decoction. |
Action | Astringes the essence and supplements the kidney. |
Indication | This formula treats sperm emission due to kidney deficiency that fails to consolidate the essence. The symptoms include seminal emission, spontaneous seminal emission, premature ejaculation, mental fatigue, lack of strength, lumbar pain, and tinnitus. The tongue is pale with a white coating and the pulse is thready and weak. |
Pathogenesis | The pattern that Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan treats is caused by kidney deficiency. The kidney is the domain of stored essence, of which is secured by an “essence gate”. When deficient, the gate will become weak and unable to contain the essence that it is storing. Leaking essence manifests as seminal emission, spontaneous emission, or premature ejaculation. The kidney is housed in the lumbar and the ears are the orifice of the kidney. When kidney deficiency causes essence to be consumed, symptoms such as lumbar pain and tinnitus may be observed. Essence deficiency further leads to qi deficiency with symptoms such as mental fatigue, weakness, a pale tongue body and a white coating, and a thready, weak pulse. The proper treatment is to supplement the kidney and consolidate essence. |
Application | 1. Essential pattern differentiation Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan is commonly used to treat a weakened “essence gate” caused by kidney deficiency. This clinical pattern is marked by seminal emission, spontaneous seminal emission, premature ejaculation, lumbar pain, tinnitus, pale tongue body with white coating, thready and weak pulse. 2. Modern applications This formula may be used in the following biomedically defined disorders when the patient shows signs of kidney deficiency, essential qi insufficiency, and leaking essence: sexual neurological disorder, chyluria, chronic prostatitis, abnormal vaginal discharge and flooding and spotting. |
