Chinese: 八仙長壽丸
Pinyin: Bā Xiān Cháng Shòu Wán
Other names: Eight Immortals Longevity Pill
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that nourish Yin and tonify
Mother formula: Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Main actions: Treats Yin Deficiency of the Lungs and Kidneys
Contraindications: Contraindicated for patients with weak digestion or Yang Deficiency.
Source date: 1615 AD
Source book: Achieving Longevity by Guarding the Source
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 1615 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish Yin and tonify. Its main action is that it treats Yin Deficiency of the Lungs and Kidneys.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the eight ingredients in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan, we review the patterns and conditions that Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan helps treat.
The eight ingredients in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan
Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang)
Part used: Prepared dried root tuber
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Shu Di huang's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys."
In the context of Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan, it is used because it strongly enriches the Kidney Yin and Essence.
Shan Zhu Yu is a deputy ingredient in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
2. Cornelian Cherries (Shan Zhu Yu)
Part used: Dried ripe sarcocarp
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sour
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that stabilize and bind
Shan Zhu Yu nourishes the Liver and restrains the leakage of Essence. It performs the latter function by inhibiting the improper dispersion and drainage through the Liver, thereby enabling the Essence to build up in the Kidneys. For this to occur, a substance with the strong, Essence building properties of the key herb (Prepared rehmannia) is also required.
Shan Yao is a deputy ingredient in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
3. Yam (Shan Yao)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLungSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Shan Yao stabilizes the Essence by tonifying the Spleen. Indeed, to reinforce Essence and improve its function, the Spleen (the source of postnatal Essence) must function properly.
Mai Dong is a deputy ingredient in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
4. Dwarf Lilyturf Roots (Mai Dong)
Part used: Dried root tuber
Nature: Cool
Meridian affinity: HeartLungStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
In general Mai Dong's main actions are as follows: "Replenishes Yin Essence and promotes secretions. Lubricates and nourishes the Stomach. Soothes the Lung. Nourishes the Heart."
Wu Wei Zi is a deputy ingredient in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
5. Schisandra Berries (Wu Wei Zi)
Part used: Dried ripe fruits
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLung
Category: Herbs that stabilize and bind
In general Wu Wei Zi's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Kidneys and preserves the Essence. Astringes the Lung Qi and stops coughing. Retains Bodily Fluids and encourages their production. Tonifies the Heart and calms the spirit (Shen)."
Ze Xie is an assistant ingredient in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
6. Water Plantain (Ze Xie)
Part used: Dried tuber
Nature: Cold
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: BladderKidney
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
Ze Xie clears and drains the overabundance of Kidney Fire. It is used here to prevent the rich, cloying properties of the key herb (Prepared rehmannia) from congesting the mechanisms of the Kidneys, which would induce even more Heat from Deficiency.
Mu Dan Pi is an assistant ingredient in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
7. Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi)
Part used: Root barks
Nature: Cool
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLiver
Category: Herbs that cool the Blood
Mu Dan Pi clears and drains Liver Fire and is used here to counterbalance the warm properties of Cornelian cherries (Shan Zhu Yu).
Fu Ling is an assistant ingredient in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
8. Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
Part used: Dried sclerotium
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLungSpleen
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
Fu Ling is a bland herb that leaches out Dampness from the Spleen. It notably helps Yam (Shan Yao) strengthen the transportive functions of the Spleen. This prevents the formula from clogging up the digestive process and reinforces the Spleen's function of nourishing the body. Poria-cocos mushrooms also works together with the Water plantain (Ze Xie) to improve the metabolism of Fluids and promote urination, thereby preventing a buildup of stagnant Fluids.
Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan is used to treat Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Symptoms: Tinnitus Dizziness Dry mouth Thin body Dry throat Night sweats Lower back pain Scanty urination Diminished hearing Shortness of breath on exertion Dry cough which is worse in the evening
Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as dizziness, tinnitus, dry cough which is worse in the evening and dry throat. Patients with Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency typically exhibit rapid (Shu), empty (Xu) or floating (Fu) pulses.
The Lungs and Kidneys coordinate to promote movement of respiration. The Lungs rule Qi and respiration, perform the function of respiration and send Qi down to the Kidneys. The Kidneys then hold the Qi down and thus control and promote inspiration.
The Yin Deficiency here means this mechanism is... read more about Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency
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