Zhen Wu Tang, is a representative prescription for warming yang and promoting diuresis, composed of aconite, tuckahoe, peony, ginger and atractylodes. The main function of this prescription is to warm the spleen and kidney to help yang, and to promote urination to remove water and dampness. In traditional Chinese medicine, Zhen Wu Tang is widely used to treat various diseases caused by yang deficiency and water overflow.
Zhen Wu Tang is named after the northern water god "Zhenwu", because Zhenwu can subdue dragons and control water, and ward off floods. The north is associated with the kidneys, which is closely related to kidney system diseases in traditional Chinese medicine. Therefore, Zhen Wu Tang is used to treat various diseases caused by Yang deficiency and water flooding.
Composition and usage of Zhen Wu Tang
The specific composition of Zhen Wu Tang is as follows:
3 liang of Poria cocos (9 g)
Peony 3 liang (9g)
Atractylodes macrocephala 2 liang (6g)
30g chopped ginger (9g)
One piece of Aconite, roasted, peeled, and broken into eight pieces (9g)
Usage: decoct the above medicinal materials in water and drink it while warm.
The efficacy and indications of Zhen Wu Tang
The therapeutic principle of Zhen Wu Tang is mainly to target spleen and kidney yang deficiency and water retention. To understand the efficacy of this prescription, we need to first understand the process of water metabolism in the human body, which is closely related to the functions of the spleen and kidney.
When the spleen yang is deficient, the dampness in the body is difficult to transport and transform , just like a machine that is not functioning properly and cannot effectively process water. When the spleen yang is deficient, it is often because the spleen and stomach are already weak, and they are damaged by diet and fatigue. The loss of qi in the middle causes the qi to fail to transform water, the spleen is trapped by dampness, and the yang qi is suppressed and cannot be expanded, so the spleen cannot control water and the dampness stays.
Common symptoms: swelling of the whole body or limbs, swelling below the waist, depression when pressed, heaviness of the body, chest tightness, poor appetite, vomiting, sallow complexion, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal distension, difficulty urinating, white, greasy and slippery tongue coating, pale and fat tongue, and thready and moist pulse.
When the kidney yang is deficient, the water cannot be transformed into qi normally, resulting in water retention , which is like a clogged water pipe with poor water flow. Since the kidney governs water, when the kidney is deficient, water has no place to govern and flows recklessly, and the bladder's qi transformation capacity is insufficient, resulting in water overflow and accumulation. Pale complexion, swelling all over the body, obvious swelling below the waist, sunken when pressed, cold body and limbs, palpitations, shortness of breath, back pain, pale and fat tongue, white and greasy tongue coating, and slow pulse.
Both of these conditions will lead to water accumulation in the body, resulting in the problem of water retention. The main function of Zhen Wu Tang is to warm the spleen and kidneys, help restore Yang Qi, and thus promote water and remove dampness .
Specifically, the aconite in Zhen Wu Tang can warm the limbs and relieve pain; this herb comes from the highly toxic plant Aconitum. Although aconite is toxic, it can be a good medicine in the right dosage. Aconite is mainly used to warm the limbs and relieve pain, so Zhen Wu Tang is particularly suitable for those who have cold in their bodies.
Poria cocos and Atractylodes macrocephala help to drain water and reduce swelling, relieving symptoms such as dizziness; while peony and ginger can relieve digestive system problems such as abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting.
The main effect of Zhen Wu Tang is to warm the yang and promote diuresis, and it is mainly used to treat the syndrome of yang deficiency and water retention. Specific symptoms include:
Chills and limb syncope
Difficulty urinating
Heart palpitations and restlessness
Dizziness
Muscle twitching and unstable standing
Heaviness, pain, and swelling in the limbs, especially below the waist
Abdominal pain, diarrhea
Cough, wheezing, and vomiting
Pale and fat tongue with teeth marks on the edges, smooth white tongue coating, and fine pulse
Pathogenesis of Zhen Wu Tang
Zhen Wu Tang is especially suitable for those who have low metabolism, fatigue, dizziness and diarrhea . Especially for those who feel like walking on clouds and have dizziness, taking Zhen Wu Tang will have a good effect.
The therapeutic principle of Zhen Wu Tang is based on spleen and kidney yang deficiency, which leads to water and dampness overflowing. The metabolism of water is closely related to the functions of the spleen and kidney. If spleen yang is deficient, dampness is difficult to transport and transform, and if kidney yang is deficient, water cannot be transformed into qi, resulting in water and dampness stagnation.
When the Yang Qi in the kidney is weak and cold water is retained inside, urination will be difficult; when water and dampness overflow to the limbs, there will be heaviness and pain, or swollen limbs; when water and dampness flow into the intestines, there will be abdominal pain and diarrhea; when it goes up to the lungs and stomach, there will be coughing or vomiting; when water vapor settles in the heart, there will be palpitations; when water and dampness block the middle part and the clear Yang cannot rise, there will be dizziness.
Modern Applications of Zhen Wu Tang
In modern medicine, Zhen Wu Tang is widely used to treat various diseases related to spleen and kidney yang deficiency and water retention, such as chronic glomerulonephritis, cardiogenic edema, hypothyroidism, etc. These diseases are often accompanied by symptoms such as edema, fatigue, dizziness and indigestion. Zhen Wu Tang can relieve these symptoms by warming yang and promoting diuresis.
Zhen Wu Tang is widely used in modern medicine to treat a variety of diseases, especially those related to spleen and kidney yang deficiency and water retention. The following are some specific applications:
Chronic glomerulonephritis : Zhenwu Decoction can help improve kidney function and reduce edema and proteinuria.
Cardiogenic edema : For systemic edema caused by heart failure, Zhenwu Decoction can relieve symptoms by warming the yang and promoting diuresis.
Hypothyroidism : Zhenwu Decoction can improve symptoms such as fatigue and edema caused by hypothyroidism.
Chronic bronchitis : For patients with chronic bronchitis, Zhenwu Decoction can help resolve phlegm and relieve cough, and improve breathing difficulties.
Chronic enteritis and intestinal tuberculosis : Zhenwu Decoction can regulate intestinal function and reduce diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Modern Research on Zhen Wu Tang
Modern research shows that the various herbs in Zhen Wu Tang have a variety of biological activities. Aconite has cardiotonic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects; Poria has diuretic, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory effects; Peony has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immunomodulatory effects; Ginger has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects; Atractylodes macrocephala has diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. The combined effects of these herbs make Zhenwu Decoction have significant clinical efficacy.
Precautions for Zhen Wu Tang
Although Zhen Wu Tang has significant therapeutic effects, you should also pay attention to the following points when using it:
People with weak constitutions should use it with caution : The aconite in Zhenwu Decoction has certain toxicity, so people with weak constitutions should use it under the guidance of a doctor.
Pregnant women should use with caution : Aconite has a cardiotonic effect and should be used with caution by pregnant women to avoid affecting the fetus.
Long-term use requires monitoring : Long-term use of Zhenwu Decoction requires regular monitoring of liver and kidney function to prevent drug accumulation.
Conclusion
As a representative prescription for warming yang and promoting diuresis, Zhenwu Decoction has significant therapeutic effects and wide applications. Whether in traditional Chinese medicine or modern medicine, Zhen Wu Tang has been proven to be an effective prescription for treating Yang deficiency and water retention syndrome. Through correct use and reasonable addition and subtraction, Zhen Wu Tang can help patients improve symptoms and improve their quality of life. I hope this article can help readers better understand the efficacy and application of Zhen Wu Tang and provide a reference for clinical treatment.