Cuscuta seeds (Tu Si Zi) Eucommia bark (Du Zhong) Prepared rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) Deer antler glue (Lu Jiao Jiao) Sichuan pepper (Hua Jiao) Codonopsis roots (Dang Shen) Atractylodes rhizomes (Bai Zhu) Poria-cocos mushrooms (Fu Ling)

Yu Lin Zhu

Chinese: 毓麟珠

Pinyin: Yù Lín Zhū

Other names: Fertility Pearl, Offspring Nurturing Pearl, Nurturing Qi Lin Pearl, Fertility Ba Zhen Tang

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Ingredients: 12 herbs

Category: Formulas that tonify

  1. Tonifies Kidney Yang
  2. Consolidates the Penetrating and Directing Vessel (Chong Mai, Ren Mai)
  3. Facilitating pregnancy
  4. Promotes Blood circulation and regulates menstruation

Contraindications: Contraindicated for those with Excess patterns.

Source: Complete Works of Jingyue (1624 AD)

Yu Lin Zhu is a 12-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Cuscuta Seeds (Tu Si Zi), Eucommia Bark (Du Zhong) and Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) as principal ingredients.

Invented in 1624 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify. Its main actions are: 1) tonifies Kidney Yang and 2) consolidates the Penetrating and Directing Vessel (Chong Mai, Ren Mai).

In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.

In this case Yu Lin Zhu is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Blood Stagnation or Kidney Yang Deficiency. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as infertility, amenorrhea or infertility in female for instance.

On this page, after a detailed description of each of the twelve ingredients in Yu Lin Zhu, we review the patterns and conditions that Yu Lin Zhu helps treat.

The twelve ingredients in Yu Lin Zhu

Tu Si Zi is a king ingredient in Yu Lin Zhu. 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

Tu Si Zi tonifies the Kidneys and Liver, strengthens the Kidney Yang, nourishes Yin, astringes the Essences and urine and benefits the marrow.

Learn more about Cuscuta Seeds (Tu Si Zi)

Du Zhong is a king ingredient in Yu Lin Zhu. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.

2. Eucommia Bark (Du Zhong)

Part used: Dried stem bark

Nature: Warm

Taste(s): Sweet

Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver

Category: Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency

In general Du Zhong's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys. Calms ascendant Liver Yang (hypertension/high blood pressure). Calms a restless fetus."

In the context of Yu Lin Zhu, it is used because it tonifies the Kidneys and Liver, tonifies Kidney Yang and aids the smooth flow of Qi and Blood.

Learn more about Eucommia Bark (Du Zhong)

Shu Di huang is a king ingredient in Yu Lin Zhu. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.

3. 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

Shu Di huang nourishes the Liver and Kidney Yin, nourishes the Essence and Blood as well as fills the Marrow.
With Dang Gui, it is also used for Blood Deficiency marked by dizziness, palpitations, insomnia and menstrual dysfunction.

Learn more about Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang)

Lu Jiao Jiao is a deputy ingredient in Yu Lin Zhu. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.

4. Deer Antler Glue (Lu Jiao Jiao)

Part used: The horn (antlers) of the animal

Nature: Warm

Taste(s): SaltySweet

Meridian affinity: KidneyLiver

Category: Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency

Lu Jiao Jiao replenishes and nourishes Qi and Blood, fortifies the Kidneys, enhances and warms the Yang, regulates the Penetrating and Directing Vessels, stabilizes the Girdle Vessel, strengthens the Governing Channel, and supports Essence, Blood, and Marrow. When combined with Shu Di Huang, it addresses impotence and spermatorrhea in men, as well as infertility and thin vaginal discharge in women, both of which stem from Kidney Deficiency Cold.

Learn more about Deer Antler Glue (Lu Jiao Jiao)

Hua Jiao is a deputy ingredient in Yu Lin Zhu. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.

5. Sichuan Pepper (Hua Jiao)

Part used: Dried pericarp of ripe fruit

Nature: Warm

Taste(s): Pungent

Meridian affinity: KidneySpleenStomach

Category: Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold

In general Hua Jiao's main actions are as follows: "Warms the body core, relieves pain, kills parasites and relieves itching"

In the context of Yu Lin Zhu, it is used because it warms the body core and relieves pain.

Learn more about Sichuan Pepper (Hua Jiao)

Dang Shen is an assistant ingredient in Yu Lin Zhu. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.

6. Codonopsis Roots (Dang Shen)

Part used: Dried root

Nature: Neutral

Taste(s): Sweet

Meridian affinity: LungSpleen

Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency

Dang Shen

strengthens the Middle Burner, boosts Qi, restores vitality, and enhances the effectiveness of herbs that release the Exterior or drain downward in cases of significant Qi Deficiency. Paired with Fu Ling, it addresses Spleen and Stomach Deficiencies characterized by fatigue, abdominal fullness, dizziness, lethargy, shortness of breath, poor appetite, and loose stools or diarrhea. When combined with Bai Zhu, it targets Spleen Qi Deficiency symptoms such as anorexia, loose stools, and vomiting. Used alongside Dang Gui and Shu Di Huang, it helps alleviate Qi and Blood Deficiencies, presenting as dizziness, weakness, and fatigue. In combination with Bai Zhu, Gan Cao, Bai Shao, and Dang Gui, it effectively treats Qi and Blood Deficiencies.

Learn more about Codonopsis Roots (Dang Shen)

Bai Zhu is an assistant ingredient in Yu Lin Zhu. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.

7. Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu)

Part used: Dried rhizome

Nature: Warm

Taste(s): BitterSweet

Meridian affinity: SpleenStomach

Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency

Bai Zhu strengthens the Spleen, enhances Qi, reduces Dampness, and supports water metabolism. When paired with Fu Ling and Gan Cao, it addresses Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiencies. In combination with Shu Di Huang, Dang Gui, and Bai Shao, it is effective for supporting a stable pregnancy in cases of Blood Deficiency.

Learn more about Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu)

Fu Ling is an assistant ingredient in Yu Lin Zhu. 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 promotes urination, drains Dampness, fortifies the Spleen, and balances the Middle Burner. When combined with Bai Zhu, it enhances Spleen function and effectively clears Dampness.

Learn more about Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling)

Chuan Xiong is an assistant ingredient in Yu Lin Zhu. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.

9. Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong)

Part used: Dried rhizome

Nature: Warm

Taste(s): Pungent

Meridian affinity: GallbladderLiverPericardium

Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood

Chuan Xiong stimulates Blood circulation, encourages Qi movement, and relieves pain. When paired with Dang Gui, it is particularly effective for menstrual issues such as dysmenorrhea, scanty periods, and amenorrhea resulting from Blood Deficiency.

Learn more about Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong)

Dang Gui is an assistant ingredient in Yu Lin Zhu. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.

10. Dong Quai (Dang Gui)

Part used: Dried root

Nature: Warm

Taste(s): PungentSweet

Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen

Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency

Dang Gui strengthens, revitalizes, and balances the Blood, dispels Cold, alleviates pain from Blood Stasis, and regulates menstruation. When paired with Bai Shao, it balances and harmonizes both Qi and Blood. Combined with Shu Di Huang, it addresses Empty Heat symptoms stemming from Yin Deficiency and severe Blood Deficiency. When used with Chuan Xiong, it nourishes, harmonizes, and invigorates the Blood while clearing Blood Stasis. The combination of Bai Shao, Shu Di Huang, and Chuan Xiong is particularly effective for treating menstrual irregularities, amenorrhea, and dysmenorrhea resulting from Blood Deficiency or Blood Stasis.

Learn more about Dong Quai (Dang Gui)

Bai Shao is an assistant ingredient in Yu Lin Zhu. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.

11. White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)

Part used: Dried root

Nature: Neutral

Taste(s): BitterSour

Meridian affinity: LiverSpleen

Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency

Bai Shao enriches the Blood, balances menstruation, soothes the Liver, and eases pain. When combined with Dang Gui and Shu Di Huang, it addresses dizziness, blurred vision, and dysmenorrhea caused by Blood Deficiency or Stasis. When paired with Dang Gui, it nourishes both Yin and Blood.

Learn more about White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)

Gan Cao is an envoy ingredient in Yu Lin Zhu. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.

12. Liquorice (Gan Cao)

Part used: Dried root and rhizome

Nature: Neutral

Taste(s): Sweet

Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach

Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency

Gan Cao nourishes the Spleen, boosts Qi, and hamonizes the intensity of other herbs. When paired with Dang Shen, it helps alleviate anorexia, fatigue, and loose stools associated with Spleen Deficiency. When combined with Dang Shen, Fu Ling, and Bai Zhu, it reinforces the Spleen and enhances Qi.

Learn more about Liquorice (Gan Cao)

Conditions and patterns for which Yu Lin Zhu may be prescribed

It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.

As such Yu Lin Zhu is used by TCM practitioners to treat two different patterns which we describe below.

But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:

Infertility Amenorrhea Infertility in female Infertility in male Scanty menstruation Irregular menstruation Luteal phase bleeding Polycystic ovary syndrome Miscarriage Postpartum depression Female sexual dysfunction

Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Yu Lin Zhu treats infertility" for instance. Rather, Yu Lin Zhu is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind infertility.

Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Yu Lin Zhu.

Blood (Xue) is one of Chinese Medicine's vital subtances. Learn more about Blood in Chinese Medicine

Blood Stagnation

Yu Lin Zhu is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Blood Stagnation. This pattern leads to symptoms such as dark face, purple lips, boring fixed stabbing pain and abdominal masses. Patients with Blood Stagnation typically exhibit choppy (Se), firm (Lao) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as Purple tongue .

Blood Stagnation - also often referred to as "Blood Stasis" - is where the Blood flow is heavily restricted in all or parts of the body. It is one of the most important diagnostic conditions in Chinese Medicine because it is frequently the cause of intractable pain syndromes anywhere in the... read more about Blood Stagnation

The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine

Kidney Yang Deficiency

Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi)

Tongue coating: Thin white coating

Tongue color: Pale

Tongue shape: Swollen

Symptoms: Asthma Chills Fatigue Dysuria Tinnitus Coughing Dizziness Weak legs Lassitude Impotence Sore back Pale face Back pain Dark face Tiredness Knee pain Depression Cold limbs Leukorrhea Weak Limbs Weak knees Infertility Loose teeth Late period Hot flushes Poor memory Loose stools Constipation Incontinence Night sweats Spermatorrhea Poor appetite Oedema of legs Abdominal pain Dripping urine Scanty periods Lower back pain Feeling of cold Low sperm count Sore lower back Premature aging Decreased libido Aversion to cold Cold extremities Oedema of ankles Vaginal discharge Frequent urination Urinary difficulty Pale color periods Abdominal fullness Cold and weak knees Persistent diarrhea Nocturnal emissions Cold hands and feet Premature menopause Infertility in women Night time urination Pale menstrual blood Premature ejaculation Incontinence of urine Prostatic hypertrophy Bright-white complexion Absence of menstruation Thin and watery periods Lower abdominal pressure Pale and abudant urination Thin body lacking strength Loss of hearing or deafness Spasms of the lower abdomen Cold in the lower extremities Edema of the lower extremities Weakness and aching in the knees Exhaustion from long-term illness Weakness of the lower extremities Thin and watery vaginal discharge Nocturnal emissions without dreams Sensation of cold in the lower back Soreness and weakness in the lower back Cold sensation in the lower half of the body

Yu Lin Zhu is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Kidney Yang Deficiency. This pattern leads to symptoms such as lower back pain, dizziness, tinnitus and cold and weak knees. Patients with Kidney Yang Deficiency typically exhibit deep (Chen) or slow (Chi) pulses as well as Pale tongue.

Kidney Yang Deficiency causes Internal Cold and weakness. It indicates that the Fire of the Gate of Life, which is located between the two Kidneys and supplies fundamental warmth for the body, is also impaired.  Therefore, the Organs lack warmth and cannot fully perform their... read more about Kidney Yang Deficiency

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