Chinese: 茯菟丹
Pinyin: Fú Tú Dān
Other names: Poria and Cuscuta Special Pill
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that secure Essence and stop enuresis
- Stabilizes the Kidney Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Stops leakage
Source date: 1107 AD
Source book: Formulary of the Pharmacy Service for Benefiting the People in the Taiping Era
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.
Fu Tu Dan is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Cuscuta Seeds (Tu Si Zi) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 1107 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that secure Essence and stop enuresis. Its main actions are: 1) stabilizes the Kidney Qi and 2) strengthens the Spleen.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the five ingredients in Fu Tu Dan, we review the patterns and conditions that Fu Tu Dan helps treat.
The five ingredients in Fu Tu Dan
Tu Si Zi is a king ingredient in Fu Tu Dan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Cuscuta Seeds (Tu Si Zi)
Part used: Dried ripe seeds
Nature: Warm
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency
In general Tu Si Zi's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies Kidney Yang and Essence. Nourishes the Liver."
2. 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)."
3. Yam (Shan Yao)
Part used: Dried rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: KidneyLungSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Shan Yao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing."
4. Lotus Seeds (Lian Zi)
Part used: Dried ripe seed
Nature: Neutral
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneySpleen
Category: Herbs that stabilize and bind
In general Lian Zi's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Spleen, stops diarrhea. Strengthens the Kidneys, reinforces Essence. Nourishes the Blood and calms the mind."
5. Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)
Part used: Dried sclerotium
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartKidneyLungSpleen
Category: Herbs that drain Dampness
In general Fu Ling's main actions are as follows: "Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit."
Conditions and patterns for which Fu Tu Dan may be prescribed
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Qi not Firm
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Symptoms: Fatigue Enuresis Back pain Cold limbs Spermatorrhoea Sore lower back Weak lower back Feeling of cold Uterus prolapse Abundant urination Frequent urination Nocturnal emissions Weak stream urination Recurrent miscarriage Premature ejaculation Incontinence of urine White vaginal discharge Dribbling after urination Dragging down feeling of abdomen Weakness and aching in the knees
Fu Tu Dan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Kidney Qi not Firm. This pattern leads to symptoms such as sore lower back, weak lower back, abundant urination and weak stream urination. Patients with Kidney Qi not Firm typically exhibit deep (Chen) or weak (Ruo) pulses as well as Slightly Pale tongue.
This pattern is also called ‘Lower Original Qi (元气 Yuan Qi) not Firm’, to show that it is also caused by a shortage of the Original Qi. When Original Qi is weak in the Lower Burner, Qi cannot hold Body Fluids which leads to many 'leaking' symptoms of the sperm, vaginal discharge or urination.
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Symptoms: Palpitation Spermatorrhea Poor appetite Short of breath Prolonged menses Pale menstrual blood Thin menstrual blood Profuse menstrual bleeding Menstrual blood gushes out Listlessness and shiny white complexion
Fu Tu Dan is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as profuse menstrual bleeding, pale menstrual blood, thin menstrual blood and prolonged menses. Patients with Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency typically exhibit weak (Ruo) pulses as well as a pale tongue with thin white coating.
This pattern particularly related to Penetration Vessel Deficiency, with symptoms such as: uterine or menstrual bleeding, presents with thin, pale blood that either gushes or trickles incessantly.
Accompanying symptoms include palpitations, shortness of breath, a pale tongue, and a deficient... read more about Spleen and Kidney Qi Deficiency
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